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Irish Tenor

    John McDermott

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Latest News

07/08/2009  ARTICLE: John McDermott at Meaford Hall

Clip:  John McDermott Live from the Concert Lobby
May 28, 2009


Interview on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor,
3/21/09.  Listen here.   John performs The Dreamer and Bringin' Buddy Home.  Go to "In Segments" to find the times of John's appearances.




                     




                     NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDER AT
                                                  johnmcdermott.com        
"If Wishes Were Fishes", from the CD Journeys, by John McDermott
©2009 Bunnygee Music
Please note:  This is a fan maintained website only---not associated with or sanctioned by Mr. McDermott.
This page was last updated: July 8, 2009
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Upcoming Performances

Jul 11  Meaford, ON  
Meaford Hall Arts and Cultural Centre

Aug 8    Huntsville, ON  
Huntsville Music Festival







CONCERT SCHEDULE
Please note:  This information is accurate to the
best of my knowledge.  Not responsible for errors
or omissions.  Please check with venues for details.
2009

Jul 11    Meaford, ON  
Meaford Hall Arts and Cultural Centre-Tickets
(877) 538-0463

Aug 8    Huntsville, ON  
Huntsville Music Festival
Algonquin Theatre-Tickets

Oct 31    Toronto, ON  
Glenn Gould Studio 8.p.m.
John McDermott pays a musical
Tribute to our Veterans.
A TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE, AND A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY, FOR US.

Nov 3    Saint John, NB  
Imperial Theatre
506-674-4141

Nov 5    Fredericton, NB  
Fredericton Playhouse

Nov 6    Halifax, NS  
Symphony Nova Scotia 7:30 P.M.
Rebecca Cohn Theatre

Nov 7    Charlottetown, PEI   
Confederation Centre of the Arts

Nov 8    Halifax, NS  
Symphony Nova Theatre

Nov 9    Boston, MA 
Marine Corps Birthday

Nov 10    Boston, MA  
Fisher House Boston Fundraiser
Seaport World Trade Center

Nov 11    Edmonton, AB  
Lest We Forget with the Edmonton Symphony
Remembrance Day Veterans Tribute
Enmax Hall, Winspear Centre, 7:30pm

Nov 13-14    Syracuse, NY   
Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
A Tribute to our Veterans
More information

Nov 15    Newmarket, ON  
Newmarket Theatre
Remembrance Day Concert

Nov 21    Peoria, IL  
Spirit of Hope 2nd Annual Concert
Cathedral of St.Mary of the Immaculate Conception
3:30 Prelude 4:00 P.M. Mass
8:00 P.M. Concert
1 309 566 5666

Nov 25    Peterborough, ON  
Showplace Performance Centre
(705) 742-7089

Nov 26    Cornwall, ON  
Aultsville Theatre

Nov 27    Belleville, ON  
The Empire Theatre
(613) 969-0099
7:30pm
Nov 28    Port Hope, ON  
The Capitol Theatre
(905) 885-9060

Nov 29    Simcoe, ON
Simcoe Composite

Dec 2    Brampton, ON  
The Rose Theatre TBC

Dec 3    London, ON  
St.Peters Cathedral Basilica.

Dec 4    Barrie, ON 
Gryphon Theatre

Dec 5    St.Catherines, ON  
Brock Centre for the Arts TBC

Dec 7    Fort MacLeod, AB 
Empress Theatre TBC

Dec 8    Sherwood Park, AB  
Festival Place

Dec 9    Regina, SK
Casino Regina

Dec 10    Moose Jaw, SK   
Mae Wilson Theatre

Dec 11    Winnipeg, MB  
Winnipeg Symphony
Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall

Dec 12    Winnipeg, MB 
Winnipeg Symphony
Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall

Dec 13    Winnipeg, MB  
Winnipeg Symphony
Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall

Dec 14    Morden, MB  
Morden Recreation Centre

Dec 15 Calgary, AB  
Jack Singer Concert Hall
A Family Christmas Seasonal Celebration with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Dec 16    Mississauga ON  
Living Arts Centre

Dec 17    Stratford, ON  
Avon Theatre
(800) 567-1600

Dec 18    Oakville, ON  
Oakville Centre for The Arts  7:30 P.M.

Dec 19    Ottawa, ON  
Centrepointe Theatre.

Dec 20    Ottawa, ON  
Centrepointe Theatre.

Dec 21    Hamilton ,ON  
Hamilton Place

Dec 22-23    Toronto, ON  
Glenn Gould Studio 7:30 P.M.

John McDermott & Friends Christmas Special
An intimate and relaxied setting.
ALL SEATS $45.00
250 Front St. West
416 872 5255 or reachus@rth-mh.com
Special guests: Larry Gowan, The Arrogant Worms, Guisdo Basso, Dave Young, Erica Goodman
more to come---stay posted


2010

Feb 18-20    Nashville, TN   
Schermerhom Symphony Center  7 P.M.
Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

World-renowned for his rendition of “Danny Boy,” John McDermott is steeped in the Celtic tradition, but he sings with a contemporary flair that stirs the emotions. His voice, at once dazzling and endearing, will conjure tales of love and loss. The six women of Cherish the Ladies have earned a stellar reputation for their energetic, good-humored stage shows, which bring Irish folk music to life with virtuosic playing, gorgeous vocals and exhilarating step-dancing.


Mar 16    Newport News, VA  
Ferguson Center for the Arts
CNU-1 University Place
With The Canadian Brass
7:30 p.m.

Mar 17    Richmond Hill, ON  
Richmond Hill Centre for the Arts
(905) 882-5907
2pm & 8pm

Apr 29    Plymouth, NH 
Silver Centre for the Arts
(603) 535-2787




BIOGRAPHY


"Legend" is not a title John McDermott would readily embrace, but his accomplishments have become legendary in recording industry lore. He calls Toronto and Boston home, but he has also found a home as an international recording star and household name – known as much for his successful musical career as for his commitment to veterans' causes. He is a long way from the man for whom singing was a hobby less than ten years ago. John was discovered quite by chance, when toiling away as a circulation sales representative for the Toronto Sun, he belted out an impromptu rendition of "Danny Boy" at a company party.

"I grew up singing, but I thought everybody grew up singing. My dad and mom introduced us to music early on, and all of the McDermott kids could unleash a verse or two of 'Scotland The Brave' or 'Green Isle of Erin' on command. My song was 'Danny Boy,' and I sang it with pride, because even as a kid I knew what a powerful and emotive song it was…."

Executives in attendance at the party helped fund John's first album, Danny Boy, which was originally recorded as a very private and personal 50th anniversary tribute for his parents. Its quality could not be ignored and it eventually found its way into the hands of EMI Music Canada. Danny Boy subsequently garnered strong sales for a debut release in the U.S. and Canada it even reached number one on New Zealand's album charts, and was certified double platinum in that country. This success, in addition to a fast-growing North American fan base, won through a tireless touring schedule, led to his participation in the PBS phenomenon The Irish Tenors. John's presence helped generate a US gold record, three US tours and a high-profile media schedule including appearances on 'Good Morning America' and 'The Today Show.'

The outcome of that fateful performance has catapulted him into a musical career that, not even ten years later, includes nine full-length albums, three Canadian platinum records, five Juno nominations (Canada's equivalent of the Grammy) and a solid international touring schedule. In November 2001, John taped "John McDermott - A Time to Remember" at the Living Arts Centre outside Toronto. This, his first solo television special, will be broadcast on PBS affiliates across North America beginning in March 2002. Angel Records and EMI Music Canada will release the companion CD and cassette on February 26, 2002. There will also be a DVD and VHS of the special released in June 2002. As a viewing and listening experience, "John McDermott - A Time To Remember" will be unlike anything that has come before. Always a generous performer and mentor to emerging artists John shares the stage and screen with a huge cast, including the explosive music and dance troupe, Chanda Gibson and Pulse, and Cape Breton Celtic prodigies, The Cottars.

The ninth of twelve children from a traditional Glasgow Irish family who emigrated from Scotland to Canada in the 1960s, John's musical roots are equal parts Scottish and Irish. His songs showcase his innate understanding and facility with traditional folk melodies as well as more contemporary stylings. He is a new generation of musical storyteller in the great Celtic tradition – somehow combining the majesty of legendary Irish tenor John McCormack, the lyrical sense of Robbie Burns, the charm of Dean Martin, and the everyman quality of Pete Seeger. Underneath it all is the driving desire to chronicle the many facets of universal human experience.

The themes of war and remembrance are common in traditional folk music ñ and the fact that the songs in his carefully selected repertoire are stories that must hold meaning for him is apparent. Most recently, on his latest recording A Day to Myself (EMI/Canada), he includes liner notes to explain why each song has particular significance and was chosen to be included in the album - like the poignant story behind "Love Remembers When" ñ inspired by the author's Aunt Anne's struggle with her husband James' battle with Alzheimer's. Or his powerful interpretation of "Streets of London" to be a universal message about getting on with the business of life no matter how difficult that may seem.

John's success has provided him with the ability to express his commitment to veterans' causes, which have always occupied a central place in his life and been an important theme in his music.

The 1999 album Remembrance and successive concert tours based on that material have raised his profile further in the United States, as he revived songs like "We'll Meet Again" and "I'll be Seeing You" that were popularized during wartime.

"The veterans population has historically been ignored outside of one day a year, but I hope that recent events will change that," John explains. "So much of the music I sing really speaks to the veterans' experience and I feel a great deal of respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line for the sake of their country."

In recognition of this commitment to veterans' causes John was awarded one of the United States' highest accolades - the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's "Bob Hope Award," and he and his wife Agnieszka have dined at The White House as a guest of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Despite the demands of his increasingly busy career as an entertainer, John continues to devote much of his time to these causes, just as Bob Hope has done. Especially important to John are the legions of homeless veterans in big cities and small towns from coast to coast. His concern is borne out through innovative projects such as: McDermott House, a transitional housing cooperative for veterans in Washington, D.C., and more recently, the Hope McDermott Day Program Center in Boston, MA. These are just the first of what promise to be many centers across the country helping veterans make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

On tour, John's easygoing manner and wealth of anecdotes make him a favorite with audiences who are looking to find meaning and a sense of history in the contemporary world - now more than ever. Fans find him approachable enough to invite down to the local pub for a pint after the show!

"I've got a catalogue of great memories from my years of touring, meeting the people who spend their hard-earned cash to see me perform. I especially enjoy seeing the interaction between young people and seniors, because it's great to get first-hand proof that music can transcend all boundaries, even age."

John's clear, expressive voice and rich tenor is deeply affecting, particularly when evoking the complex emotions in wartime songs. However, it is not just the theme of war and remembrance, but the broader, universal motif of remembering those no longer present, and taking a moment to appreciate how those who are with us have, in some way, touched our lives that gives John's music a unique appeal. As a result, he is an artist whose sense of respect for tradition and understanding of the sentiment behind the music resonates worldwide.


johnmcdermott.com