Performer Tom McCormack Comes To Pride
Tom McCormack, Co-creator and Producer of the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards,
Brings his Dynamic and Spiritual Music to NC Pride.He's worked in off-off Broadway theater as a literary manager, with HBO as production manager, and with varios companies as a producer. Finally, in his 30s, singer-songwriter Tom McCormack has three releases of his own. The latest, Missing, on McCormack's own Spotted Dog label, is a wonderful album with sensitive and compelling selections.
McCormack's works spans a broad range from exploring coming out vs. remaining hidden in the closet to "some selections (on his 1991 Running With Light) that are explicitly Christian." (His second CD, Rose Colored Glasses is also on the Spotted Dog label.)
As with many musicians, McCormack sees "how music is able to impact people in ways that words alone cannot." Consequently he has "chosen queer culture as my area of political involvement within the community primarily."
"I see the capacity," he says, "for mass media and culture to influence and touch hearts in a powerful way."
In his own experience as both producer and performer, McCormack has been able to see that impact and has been impressed by the magic of music. He has had the opportunity to not only perform and record his own music, but also to perform and record as part of other artists' projects.
For instance, he collaborated with three other artists (Melinda DiMaio, Grant King and Zenobia) to record [sic] Show & Tell: 4 Gay & Lesbian Songwriters Sing Out & Tell All. This kind of project -- an interactive show combining music and personal anecdotes, he says, is especially fun.
His efforts to combat homophobia include a solo program he has designed called Hate Speech and Love Songs. And his efforts to educate and encourage others to come out include solo shows at colleges and universities in addition to his concerts and recorded music.
The thirty-five year old McCormack has his fingers in a half a dozen pies -- but all are projects which "help queer artists find their voices." He's lent his talents to projects like Outmusic, which is based in his home city of New York. And he's helped to bring greater visibility and acknowledgement to the work of queer recording artiss through his work in co-creating and producing GLAMA, the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards.
Much of McCormack's music emphasizes the importance of being out and honest in life. When asked about the recent hoopla over openly gay an lesbian celebrities, McCormack says, "I think it's the same ol' 'coming out is frigtening, awkward.'... and it can sometimes feel like it brings you attention for something you really don't want to be known for (rather than the attention you should get as an artist)." The bottom line, however, for McCormack is "everyone should come out when they're ready. I understand the fear of its effect on your career, but the tradeoff is -- in my opinion -- worth the risk."
McCormack attempts to devote as much attention to his spirituality as to his music, stressing the need for each individual to "define your own path and integrate your whole self into that process." In addition, he seeks to find new ways of "using culture to help the wider public understand queer people and in finding allies who can see how music or other popular arts can provide a bridge for understanding."
-- Andrea L.T. Peterson
May 23,1997
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