New York Times Interview
Recent article profiles McCormack and "Hate Speech + Love Songs"
When it comes to news coverage, getting the New York Times to write about you is considered by many to be 'the holy grail' and many work hard and long to gain their interest.
How surprising was it then when the Times chose to write a story about Tom McCormack and "Hate Speech + Love Songs" without any effort on his part?
"I was preparing for a number of appearances earlier this year when I got an email from the folks at Rutgers saying the Times wanted to do a piece," said McCormack. "I figured their publicity department had been working on it but it turned out that the writer was looking for an interesting Arts story and saw the mention of the program on the Rutgers website."
Times freelancer Margo Nash contacted Tom and took the ferry over from Manhattan to his home on the Jersey shore. "She loved it... the boatride, the lighthouse, the views, everything," said McCormack. "I don't think she wanted to leave."
Also coming to visit was Frank Dougherty, a photographer for the paper. "Frank was a fascinating person: he had photographed wartime combat and other international events," said McCormack, "I must have been a pretty mundane subject."
Before taking him down to Sandy Hook to get some shots along the beach, McCormack says Dougherty questioned him on the need for a program such as "Hate Speech + Love Songs."
"While being very respectful, Dougherty really wanted to know why such a program was necessary," said McCormack. "He described himself as conservative but had a definite 'live and let live' attitude. I told him of the many students and other people that I've met in the course of presenting the program and how it's been important for them to see and get to know a gay person and their experience. I think by the end of our conversation he recognized why there might be a need for my work."
To read the New York Times article, click here.
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Another Presenter Offers High Praise for "Hate Speech + Love Songs"
University of Wisconsin-Marathon Staff Calls McCormack's performance "Perfect"
Jean Greenwood, Program Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County, was another recent presenter of Tom McCormack's "Hate Speech + Love Songs" to offer high praise for the unique program that uses music, spoken word and audience dialog to address the issue of hate and homophobia.
"Perfect," said Greenwood in describing the program. "That's the only word to describe your presentation."
McCormack presented the program to students, faculty, staff and community members at the school's performing arts center in Wausau, Wisconsin.
"It was a wonderful venue for the program and it really seemed to strike home," said McCormack. "The discussion was so lively that Jean had to call it to a close so that we could all get to the reception they had planned. It was great."
Apparently Greenwood was not alone in her excitement about the program. "I heard so many grateful, awe-stricken, and worshipful comments about (Tom's) artistry, mission, talent, authenticity, and significance that it would be hard to make any comment other than 'perfect.' Our dean was highly impressed and told me so... Our two theatre professors praised (Tom's) storytelling abilities
and a math professor said (his) piano playing "blew him away." I was
mesmerized... The math professor says we have to get (Tom) back in a few years time. Yes?"
To read Jean Greenwood's entire letter, click here.
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Tour Plans for 2000-2001 for 'Hate Speech & Love Songs'
Dates in East Coast and Midwest Developing
With dates for fall quarter 2000 in the works, Tom McCormack's "Hate Speech & Love Songs" continues to build momentum as a favorite presentation for campuses and organizations who are mindful of issues relating to homophobia and hate.
Following recent performances at Univ of Wisconsin-Marathon (Wausau WI), Rutgers University (Camden, NJ), and Penn State (University Park PA), plans are now being made to bring the program to Mercyhurst College (Erie PA) and LaSalle University (Philadelphia PA) this October. Other engagements in the midwest and other east coast states are also in discussion for the remainder of the fall and spring.
"I'm excited that 'Hate Speech & Love Songs' has been so well received," said Tom. "I originally created it for just one school and it seems as if there's a real need for this type of programming. I'm currently considering introducing some multimedia elements in the program as well, so it continues to grow and stay fresh."
For full venue and scheduling information, visit the Tour section of Spotted Dog Online.
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TMcB to record new EP
Band to enter studio in coming weeks
Spotted Dog Records is proud to announce that the next recording from Tom McCormack will soon begin production. The as yet untitled recording will contain four songs from the Tom McCormack Band's repetoire of new songs.
"This has been a long time coming," said McCormack. "I had hoped to have released another recording by now but it seems I got distracted."
Such distractions as creating and producing GLAMA, The Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards, for the past 5 years, has managed to keep McCormack from releasing his own product but it hasn't kept him out of the studio.
Since the release of his last full length CD, "Missing", in 1994, McCormack has recorded a re-produced version of his song "Children of God" on Streeter Records' "Winter Moon" compilation. The song in a more stripped-down form appeared on McCormack's first release on Spotted Dog, "Running with Light." McCormack has also accompanied Grant King on his last cd and on the title track for his upcoming cd "Bodies of Water" on KnowMoreSecrets Music and played piano on his own song "Missing" as recorded by Mollyboy Record's Deian McBryde.
"The band and I are very excited about the new project and I'm especially pleased to be working with Michael Holland," said McCormack. Holland, a recording artist and producer on Miss Prim Records, released the GLAMA-nominated cd "Darkness Falls" last year and is part of the popular act Comfortable Shoes.
"Michael is a very fine songwriter and performer in his own right and his production skills are great," said McCormack. "I wanted his pop sensibility to be part of my new record and was thrilled that he said he'd help steer the ship."
No release date is as yet planned. For a complete discography on Tom McCormack, click here.
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"Millionaire" TV Show Inspire's Band's
Choice of Material for New CD
Audience helps choose songs for new recording
In the world of indie music, prepping music before recording can be an arduous, isolated chore, a public exercise of trial & error, or, according to Tom McCormack, a game show. Having managed it as a solo process in the past, the songwriter has now opted for a whole new approach toward "making the band" when The Tom McCormack Band performed at CB's 313 Gallery on July 9th at 8pm.
Taking a nod from the ridiculously successful TV show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," McCormack called upon the audience for help in choosing what songs to include on their next release.
"It's always difficult to know what material to record and this time even moreso because we're only making a four song EP," said McCormack. "I've already phoned more than a few friends for help but some of the songs haven't even been played out yet -- so we figured we'd 'Ask The Audience' and get everyone into the action. I just wish the club had those electronic keypads so the audience could respond immediately."
Offering a fun mix of alterna-pop, the band features McCormack on keyboard and vocals with Warren Shaw on drums, Ted Stafford on guitar and Steve Watson on bass. McCormack is the group's sole writer.
Perhaps McCormack's sense of "give the people what they want" may be influenced by his role as creator of GLAMA, the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards, where for the past four years he has compared notes with the likes of The B52's, k.d. lang, Ani DiFranco, Sandra Bernhard, Bob Mould and others, and watched as supposed sure-thing winners went home empty handed.
"You can never be certain what will work with an audience Ð sometimes a great song, a great performance and a great recording will lose out to something totally unexpected," said McCormack. "I thought that maybe the fans could help us see things more clearly."
And did they?
The audience was asked to pick their top four new songs for the band to record. Here's the tally showing the percentage of the audience that included each of the following songs in their final four:
77.27% Me In The Tree
70.46% Stigmata
68.18% Knocking
52.27% I Want To Go To L.A.
47.73% I Believe In Me
38.64% Walking Naked
18.18% On The Way Down
18.18% Monkey
9.09% Repo Man
Audience members who picked the top four were promised a free copy of the EP when done.
Meanwhile, the TOM McCORMACK BAND will return to CB'S 313 GALLERY on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30th at 9PM. And they're trying to figure out what other ways to get the audience involved (perhaps a version of the "Survivor" TV show this time?)
When asked if this new recording McCormack's own bid for becoming a millionaire?
"Absolutely," said the ever-confident performer. "And then maybe then I could afford to record the rest of the album."
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