Dec. 17--Michael McDermott has survived early fame, drugs, alcohol addiction and the unpredictable winds of the music business. Through it all, his talent and humor have prevailed. "The fact that I'm still alive is one of my greatest accomplishments," the Chicago singer-songwriter laughs. "It's been a helluva ride."
The Orland Park native released his major label debut in 1991, an album filled with trenchant folk-rock songs. He was quickly touted as the next big thing by a number of publications. His videos were played on MTV. Horror novelist Stephen King became an early and impassioned fan. But despite the high expectations for his career, the big fame never panned out. Dogged by bad choices and bad luck, he nonetheless continued to release strong material.
McDermott married singer, songwriter and fiddler Heather Horton in 2009. The following year their daughter Rain was born. Now sober, his music is stronger than ever. Upcoming projects include a new album in January from the Westies, his side project with Horton. In April he'll release a new solo album.
Ending this year on a high note, McDermott will play his annual "Mischief Mistletoe" shows at City Winery. The three-night stand starts Monday with an all-request solo acoustic show, followed by full band shows Tuesday and Wednesday.
McDermott called recently to talk about his life and music. This is an edited transcript.
Q: You're doing three nights at the City Winery during a very emotional time of year. At the holidays there's a mixture of nostalgia and melancholy. There's also the hope of looking forward to a new year. Do you feel that when you play this time of year?
A: I do. I think that's right where the heart of my songs really live, that borderline. At these City Winery shows, I hope to be more convivial and celebratory because I haven't been that way in a long time. When I was still (messed) up, I would rush through shows to get done so I could let the party begin. Now I make the most of these shows. I enjoy being up there. I'm taking no prisoners, because I've wasted so much time it's embarrassing. I applaud the people who have stuck with me and I am so grateful to them. They stuck through a lot of bad shows and a lot of drunken nonsense. I have a lot of work to do and a lot of people to make it up to.
Q: How have marriage and fatherhood affected your work?
A: It has definitely been an influence. But I was a writer before I knew them. In that sense, I'm still on a journey of my own and I'm not going to change that. I don't hold back. There was a radio programmer in Holland who thanked me for my honesty. In my shows I will literally say anything and expose anything, much to my wife's dismay. (laughs) But (my wife and daughter) have saved my life in my battles with alcohol and drugs. That was a game-changer. It's one thing to embarrass yourself or be a jackass. But when you become an embarrassment in front of your child or your wife, it ups the ante. That was what really changed it for me.
Q: You sang your song 'Where the River Meets the Sea' at your mother's funeral. Why did you choose that song to commemorate her passing?
A. My mom was a very Irish Catholic woman. Regardless if I appeared on MTV or in Rolling Stone or the New York Times, she took it very much in stride. But her proudest moment was when I wrote "Where the River Meets the Sea." She said, "You finally wrote a song you can sing in church." That was my high water mark to her. I did something that didn't include an expletive or (references to) drugs, drink or murder. (laughs)
Q: Growing up, how did the city of Chicago influence your style?
A: I don't know if it was so much musically, but lyrically it did. Chicago is great to grow up in as a writer. There's a very unflinching, restless spirit here. I grew up outside the city, so the city was a magical place. I always come back to it. I lived in New York, Los Angeles and Memphis. For a long time I thought of myself as more worldly, so I thought I'd live in Paris. But really, I'm a Chicagoan. I tried to fight that for a long time but I finally surrendered to the fact that I'll be here forever.
Q: Who are the songwriters who have most inspired you?
A: When I was living in Orland Park, I read an article in the Chicago Tribune about open mics in Chicago. The story featured this guy named Mike Jordan. He was a folkie from back in the day. He played with John Prine and knew Steve Goodman. So I went down to the open mic, followed him around and befriended him. I studied him. I wanted to write poetic songs, but then realized sometimes they were a little too lofty. Mike was such an inspiration. He spoke with great street language and was able to communicate stories without fancy prose. He was a brilliant songwriter. Mike's not with us anymore. He died in a car accident (in 1992). Besides Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Mike was my greatest influence.
Q: You just returned from a tour in the Netherlands. You have a strong following overseas. Do you tour with a band or perform solo?
A: I have done both. It depends on how long the tour is. This last time it was just me and my wife. Heather has an eight-day limit. She says, "I'll leave our child for eight days, but you're not getting me for another day after that." So I often go out for longer and she meets me for the final eight days.
Q: At City Winery, your first night you'll be taking all requests. When you've done that before has anyone surprised you?
A: No! I wish they would because there are songs I'd like to play but I never get the opportunity. So I'm laying down the gauntlet with a challenge. I want someone to stump me.
Chrissie Dickinson is a freelance writer.
onthetown@tribpub.com
When: 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Where: City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St.
Tickets: $25 -- $30; 312-733-9463 or www.citywinery.com
