The Prince of Paupers

Michael McDermott is a very talented singer/songwriter from Chicago.  I started listening to Michael's songs back in 1991, when he released his first album,  620 W. Surf.  The album impressed me so much that was compelled to write him a fan letter.  I had never written a fan letter before and I heaped praise after praise upon the young artist; comparing him to Dylan and Springsteen.  The letter got the attention of his manager who then called Michael on the road and read him my glowing fan letter.  Michael was amused and through his generous nature, which he still has today, invited me to be his guest at an upcoming concert in Austin.  It was in the fall of 1991 that I first met Michael McDermott, and he has been a friend of mine ever since.

About ten years later, I flew to Chicago for a conference and I saw Michael again.  This time, I did not have an invitation, but after the show I waited with a large group of fans to go backstage for autographs and meet Michael.  Before I could even say hello, Michael said, "Dr. Vic...how have you been, brother?"  We chatted very briefly, musing about our respective careers, and then I went back out into the cold Chicago night thinking how amazing it was that he remembered me after all those years.

More time passed. Michael continued to improve his storytelling and expand his fan base.  Through blogs and websites, he has kept in touch with his fans, who refer to themselves at the pauper community after one of Michael's songs "Pauper's Sky".  His songs strike chords with his fans because he has a knack for capturing those universal experiences of longing and despair.  Like Woody Guthrie, he writes of the plight of the common man, the downtrodden, the losers, the broken spirits.  Through the years, Michael McDermott has created a mosiac of songs full of characters that we recognize.  Characters who strive to shine some light in the darkness and overcome life's hardships.  His songs give us hope.

His latest album is called Hey La Hey, a phrase immediately recognizable to McDermott fans because of its appearance in his older songs such as "Bells", and, once again, it is a triumph.  In my opinion, it is his best work to date.  Check out the single, "So Am I" on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIcTPLoKMww
and more of McDermott's music at his website http://www.michael-mcdermott.com/

Here is the CD insert for Hey La Hey, signed by Michael.  One of these days, all will be revealed.