Jim McGorman

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Jim McGorman, a native of Philadelphia, is a guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist. Best known for his work with the House Band on the CBS television shows Rockstar: INXS and Rockstar: Supernova, he has been musical director for Michelle Branch and toured with Cher. When McGorman toured with Cher on her Farewell Tour, he played guitars, keyboards and sang duets. He has also played with the New Radicals, Poison (band) and Marc Broussard. He has written songs for TV shows such as "One Tree Hill" and "Smallville." TV performances include "The Tonight Show," BBC's "Top of the Pops" and MTV's "TRL." [1] Jim performed with Michelle Branch on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (episode: Tabula Rasa) and with Dilana Robichaux (the runner-up from Rock Star: Supernova) on Ellen DeGeneres. In October/November 2006, Jim and the House Band toured the United States with Paul Stanley (from KISS). [2] In January 2007, Jim became a member of Avril Lavigne's band and will tour with her throughout 2007/2008.

Regarding the Rockstar TV show house band, he says that he feels his role is a multifaceted one: guitar, keys and singing. "Plus, being a writer/artist myself, I feel that I understand how to work with the singers. From a guitar perspective, I try to capture the original tones of the records we play, from guitars to tunings and effects. Rafa has a unique tone that he really likes, so the more I get the original tones right, the more I think the audience will relate to the performance." [3]

Other members of the House band include: Rafael Moreira (lead guitar), Paul Mirkovich (keyboards), Sasha Krivtsov (bass) and Nate Morton (drums).

Contents

[edit] Jamestown Ltd

In 2006, McGorman's band Jamestown Ltd released its first album, The World Is Falling Down.

The World Is Falling Down
The World Is Falling Down

Tracks:

    1. You're Not Alone
    2. All I Know
    3. California
    4. The World Is Falling Down
    5. Through to You
    6. Do You Remember
    7. Rebound
    8. Let's Not Fall In Love
    9. Change
    10. Here Is Now
    11. You and I

Jim, on Jamestown Ltd and recording the CD ..."Well, Jamestown is my baby. I’ve been working on music my entire life, and this is my first full-length record. I wrote – or co-wrote – all the songs, produced the record, and obviously played guitar, keys and sang. I’ve been working with a lot of the same musicians over the years in L.A.; the drummer (Dave Allen), bass player (Jon Button), and I have been working on original stuff for almost seven years. The three of us played for Michelle Branch when I was her Musical Director from 2001 to 2002. Emerson Swinford (guitar) and I have been writing and playing together for longer than that, and David Levita (guitar) has been a great contribution to the recording process. Though we are all pro players and are generally really busy working on other projects (to pay the bills), this is something we have done for ourselves. I am incredibly proud of the record and how we all worked together to make it happen.We’ll see where it goes from here." [4]

NOTE: band changed name from Jamestown to Jamestown Ltd in January, 2007 due to copyright issues. [5]

[edit] Musical Influences

"Everyone in my family is musical or some sort of performer. My mother was a dancer, and my dad plays piano and sings. My dad, though, really got me going with music. He showed me the beauty of chord changes. Mom was more of a "word writer." I got my love of lyrics from her. I guess you could say I'm very fortunate to have talented and supportive parents. - Started playing piano at six, drums at eight, guitar at 12, and I've been singing since I was born." [6]

McGorman cites a number of popular music influences, including soul music of Gamble and Huff, and the rock of Coldplay and U2.

[edit] Education

Graduated Cherry Hill High School East, 1992; graduated Berklee College of Music in 1995 with a degree in audio engineering and music production.[7]

[edit] Discography

Year Album Artist Credit
1997 To Make Me Who I Am Aaron Neville Guitar
2001 Transmatic Transmatic Strings
2002 Leap of Faith David Charvet Vocals (bckgr)
2003 Chapter 2 Jessica Jacobs Bass, Guitar, Piano, Vocals (bckgr), Producer
2004 Borrowed Heaven The Corrs Piano, Musician
2004 Carencro Marc Broussard Organ, Piano, Vocals (bckgr), Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer
2005 Rock Star: A Night at the Mayan Various Artists Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
2005 Rock Star: INXS (DVD) Various Artists Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
2005 Safe in Sound Jim Boggia Piano, Tack Piano
2005 Unfabulous and More Emma Roberts Keyboards, Group Member
2005 Something To Fall Back On Sam Jaffe Guitars, Keyboards
2006 Reach Warren Barfield Piano, Guitar (Electric), Organ (Hammond), Vocals (bckgr), Clavinet, Wurlitzer, Tack Piano
2006 Dark Horse Ryan Star Guitar, Vocals (bckgr)
2006 The World is Falling Down Jamestown Ltd. Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Guitars, Bass, Producer
2007 Poison'd Poison Keyboards, Vocals (bckgr)

Main source for discography: [8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Trent Salter (October, 2005). Jim McGorman of Rock Star: INXS. musicianshotline.com.
  2. ^ Jim McGorman (January, 2007). From The Paul Stanley Tour - Living the Dream. musicianshotline.com.
  3. ^ Trent Salter (October, 2005). Jim McGorman of Rock Star: INXS. musicianshotline.com.
  4. ^ Artist Profile - Jim McGorman. musicianshotline.com (October, 2006).
  5. ^ Jim McGorman Questions. KISS Army Australian Forums (January, 2007).
  6. ^ Trent Salter (October, 2005). Jim McGorman of Rock Star: INXS. musicianshotline.com.
  7. ^ Chuck Darrow (July 1, 2006). Music Man. courierpostonline.com.
  8. ^ allmusic web site - Jim McGorman.

[edit] External links