Bio - Jim McGorman

1974 – Born in Philadephia, Pennsylvania.

1992 – Graduated from Cherry Hill East High School, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

1995 – Graduated from the very prestigious Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA. Degree in Audio Engineering and Production.

1995 – Moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his dream and career in music.

1995 – First major music opportunity included working with (playing keyboards and guitar ) Elektra Records (singer-songwriter) Rebekah (note: Elektra Records is now part of the Atlantic Records Group).

1997 – Aaron Neville - "To Make Me Who I Am." – credited guitar.

1998 – Member of the live-tour line up for the Los Angeles based pop/rock sensation The New Radicals. The 1998 album release - "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too," included such hit singles as "You Get What You Give" (1999) #36 U.S., #5 U.K. and also "Someday We'll Know" (1999) #48 U.K. A tour of the United States commenced in 1998 into 1999 with a number of key television performances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Muchmusic Canada and Nickelodoen's "All That" just to name a few.

2001 –Transmatic self-titled album "Transmatic" – credited strings.

2001 - Musical director for Grammy Award winning singer, songerwriter and guitarist, Michelle Branch. Jim also played guitar and background vocals at a number of television appearances including MTV's TRL alongside Jamestown Ltd. members Jon Button (bass), Dave Allen (drums).

Jim also performed with Michelle Branch on the hit TV Show Buffy The Vampire Slayer (note episode Tabula Rasa).

2002 – David Charvet album "Leap of Faith" - credited vocals (background).

2003 – Jessica Jacob album "Chapter 2" - credited bass, guitar, piano, vocals (background), and producer.

2002 - Jim sang on the song "It's Nothing New" that was featured during the movie Swimfan.

2004 – The Corrs album "Borrowed Heaven" - credited piano, musician.

2004 – Ben Arnold album "Calico" - credited vocals, Wurlitzer.

2004 – Marc Broussard album "Carencro" - credited organ, piano, vocals (background), Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer.

2004/2005 - Toured as keyboardist for the forty year pop music veteran Cher commencing in October, 2004 replacing Cher's fifteen year music director, Paul Mirkovich.  Jim joined Cher on her farewell tour and sang a duet with her "After All" every night for nine months.

2005 - Rockstar: INXS House Band member (guitar, keyboards and vocals) - The Mark Burnett produced, CBS hit summer TV series as House Band member along with Paul Mirkovich (keyboards/vocals), Nate Morton (drums), Raphael Moreira (guitar), and Sasha Krivtsov.(bass)

2005 - RockStar: A Night at the Mayan Theatre – Credited guitar, keyboards and vocals.

2005 – Jim Boggia album "Safe in Sound" - credited piano, tack piano.

2005 – Emma Roberts album "Unfabulous and More" - credited keyboards, and group member.

2005 - Shelley James self-titled album - credited song writer.

2005 - Featured interview with Musicians Hotline: Jim McGorman of Rockstar INXS. 

2005 - Interview with Rock Star Go Home: Jim McGorman Takes His Top Five CDS Very Seriously!

2006 - Rockstar: Supernova House Band Member (guitar, keyboards and vocals) - The Mark Burnett produced, CBS hit summer TV series Rockstar: Supernova returns for a second season. Jim as House Band member along Paul Mirkovich (keyboards/vocals), Nate Morton (drums), Raphael Moreira(guitar), and Sasha Krivtsov.(bass)

2006 – Warren Barfield album "Reach" - credited piano, guitar (electric), Organ (Hammond), Vocals (background), Clavinet, Wurlitzer, Tack Piano.

2006 - Feature interview with Courier Post Online entitled Music Man: Cherry Hill East Grad has worked with Cher and Poison. 

2006 - August - Part one feature article - Premier Guitar Artist Profile - Jim McGorman, Backstage at Rockstar: Supernova.

2006 - August 25th - Universal City Walk. Concert performances with the remaining six contesants from Rockstar: Supernova including - Storm Large, Lukas Rossi, Dilana Robichaux, Magni Asgiersson, Ryan Star and Toby Rand. Rockstar: INXS (2005) contestant Mig Ayesa. Along with Jim members of the Rockstar: House Band including Nate Morton (drums) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass) and Paul Mirkovich (keyboards/vocals).

2006 - September - Part two feature article - Premier Guitar Artist Profile - Jim McGorman, Backstage at Rockstar: Supernova.

2006 – Ryan Star album "Dark Star" - credited guitar, vocals (background).

2006 - Berklee Today feature article Stoking The Star-Maker Machinery In Los Angeles.

2006 - Jamestown Ltd. "The World Is Falling Down." - credited vocals, piano, keyboards, guitars, bass, and producer. "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 am incredibly proud of the record and how we all worked together to make it happen." ⁷

2006 - September 18th - Performance of Roxanne background vocals and acoustic guitar with Rockstar:Supernova runner up, Dilana Robichaux on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

2006 - September 22 - Jamestown Ltd. "The World Is Falling Down" cd release party at The Mint in Los Angeles, CA. Evening of music and performances featuring members of Jamestown Ltd. including Jim McGorman (vocals, keyboards and guitar) Emerson Swinford (guitar), members of the Rockstar House Band: Nate Morton (drums) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass).

2006 - October - Part three feature article - Premier Guitar Artist Profile - Jim McGorman, Backstage at Rockstar: Supernova

2006 - October 21st - embarked on a seventeen date U.S. Tour as guitarist/background vocalist with rock legend Paul Stanley. In support of his album release "Live to Win." The entire Rockstar House Band joined Jim on this tour including: Nate Morton (drums) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass), Paul Mirkovich (keyboards/vocals) and Raphael Moreira (lead guitar).

2006 - November 30th, December 1st - Rockstar House Band member (guitar, keyboards and background vocals) joins fellow band members Nate Morton (drums) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass), Paul Mirkovich (keyboards/vocals) and Raphael Moreira (lead guitar) for two concert performances to over 5,000 people in Reykjavik, Iceland in celebration of Magni Asgiersson birthday bash. Contesants from Rockstar: Supernova including: Josh Logan, Storm Large, Toby Rand and Dilana Robichaux.

2007 - In January, Jim finished working in the studio with legendary 80's rock glam metal band Poison on their June 2007 release covers album Poison'd featuring producer Don Was. Jim played keyboard and sang.

2007 - Musicians Hotline feature From The Paul Stanley Tour - Living the Dream.

2007 - On February 8th, Jamestown Ltd. song The World Is Falling Down was played on WXPN 88.5, a public radio station from the University of Pennsylvania.

2007 - Jim has just finished co-writing and co-producing a new song for Bret Michaels (from Poison) upcoming solo record. The song will be part of an upcoming tv reality series that will air on VH1.

2007 - February - Jim has joined the touring band for Avril Lavigne (as guitar player and backup vocalist). You can view our February 7, 2007 post regarding this new opportunity for Jim on our News page.  Jim will be working along side fellow musicians Rodney Howard (drums), Steve Ferlazzo (keyboards), Devin Bronson (lead guitar), and Al Berry (bass).

2007 - On February 15th, Jim performed his first public appearance with Avril Lavigne.  The inaugural private show took place in Calgary, Alberta for a CBC television Avril Lavigne exclusive special which aired in April the same year.

2007 - The first European promotional tour for Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing record took place commencing in London followed by Paris and Cologne.  Noteable appearances including a radio show at The Scala, MTV Live taping in Paris, and McFit Fight Night in Cologne, Germany. The performance on Taratata television in Paris included Jim singing Message In A Bottle during rehearsals.

2007 - Jim shares personal experiences and advice in part one of: Premier Guitar, Apr '07: How To Get The Gig Part 1.

2007 - In April, the American promotional tour circuit commenced in support of Avril Lavigne's new record release The Best Damn Thing.  Avril Lavigne's CBC exclusive special aired on April 2nd, following a number of noteable American network performances including Saturday Night Live, Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Teen Nick on Nickelodeon.

2007 - Part Two of: Premier Guitar, May '07: How To Get The Gig Part 2.

2007 - In May, American promotion continued for Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing record release including a new online concert series Nissan Live Sets on Y! Music, and a very rainy outdoor New York rooftop performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The View. 

2007 - During the month of June the aggressive and busy promotional tour machine carried on with even more network performances and in studio online concert appearances including: Stripped Raw and Real, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Muchmusic Video Awards, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferugson and Last Call with Carson Daly.  A special concert was also performed in Las Vegas for Nina's Night Out Fundraiser. In addition, another leg of European promotion concerts and television appearances took place.

2007 - While in Toronto, Ontario for the Muchmusic Video Awards, a truly energetic performance of Live At The Orange Lounge was filmed for Sympatico.ca. 

2007 - Berklee Today special feature on Acing The BIG Audition.

2007 - Throughout the month of July, Jim spent it in Europe promoting for Avril Lavigne.  During this time he travelled to well over 10 countries in a month with noteable appearances including: BBC Radio 1 Live at the Lounge (London, UK), Viva TV in (Berlin, Germany), and Oxegen '07 (Naas, Ireland). The A & E Special Private Sessions with Avril Lavigne also aired.

2007 - On August 8th Jim announced a collaboration with new artist Kate Voegele on the song "It's Only Life." 

2007 - In early August, Jim performed all part of 106.1 KISS FM - KISS Party in Grande Prairie, TX. The Best Damn Thing promotion tour went east to Japan and China  for a number of television and concert performances including: Mezamashi TV, Music Station TV, and Summer Sonic. The month concluded with a performance in Los Angeles, CA for the 2007 Teen Choice Awards.

2007 - In September, an Exclusive Interview with Jim McGorman for On The Rebound. The interview includes working with Avril Lavigne, life as a musician and much more for fans.

2007 - Jim performed during CTV's Canadian Idol finale with noteable television coverage during the show.  Additional appearances this month include The Late Show with David Letterman, MTV TRL and Fashion Rocks.

2007 - Jim wrote and produced the song Fallen for Bret Michaels (Poison). The song appeared during the final episode of VH1's television series Rock of Love.  The song also is on Bret's new album Rock My World released June 3rd, 2008.

2007 - More global travel too place during the month of October with appearances on the Russia MTV TV Video Awards and a concert at B1 Maximum in Moscow, Russia.  Later in the month Jim travelled to Mexico to perform on the MTV Latin Music Awards. In addition MTV Canada filmed a special television show entitled Avril in Mexico which highlighted Jim vocalizing with Avril and bandmates enjoying dinner at the Mexico restaurant (Can I get a couple of centipedes while we are at it?)  The MSN Control Room concert series was also filmed  live at the Roxy in Los Angeles including a beautiful rendition of Sarah McLachlan's song Adia. Avril Lavigne herself commented on Jim's performance as well "And then we have Jim, who is awesome at vocals and he plays rhythm guitar!"

2007 - Jim weighs in on tech boom as it relates to the musician of today in his feature article Premier Guitar, Nov '07 Anabolic Rock.

2007 - Early November commenced with travels back to Europe for the MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich, Germany, TF1 Star Academy in Paris France and World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, France.  On November 6th, Live Nation hosted a very special online concert live from the Whisky A Go-Go Club in Los Angeles all part of the official kick off for The Best Damn Tour 2008.   Later in the month Jim performed during the 2007 American Music Awards, and Dancing With The Stars.  The month concluded with a concert UNICEF - UNITE AGAINST AIDS Concert in Montreal.

2007 - First of its kind, Jim participates in an exclusive holiday interview for On The Rebound sharing his favorite Christmas traditions.

2007 - The month of December was filled with Jingle Jam series concerts across the United States. One of the more memorable performances was on December 2nd in Burnaby, BC during Best Buy Canada's grand opening of their new Burnaby store.  Jim performed with Avril on outdoor stage at Swangard Stadium while it was snowing and cold.  Christmas carols were also part of the set as fans truly got into the holiday spirit.

2008 - In January, Jim engages in an music industry panel for Fox Business along with Doc McGee, Brad Skistimas, and Jonathan Cohen.

2008 - Jim was appointed musical director for Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Tour.  Steve Fekete joined the touring band as lead guitarist in replacement of Devin Bronson who departed to pursue his career as member of The Black List Club.

2008 - The first leg of The Best Damn Tour  kicked off on March 5th in Victoria, British Columbia. The tour continued for another close to forty dates throughout United States and Canada with the last show for this first segment concluding on April 29th in Las Vegas, NV.  

2008 - Jim was featured in the official video for Avril Lavigne's single entitled  The Best Damn Thing.  The video has been shown all around the world including during concert performances on the big screen during The Best Damn Tour.

2008 - Jim returns to Berklee College of Music along with two fellow alumi and bandmates Steve Ferlazzo and Steve Fekete to participate in an interactive forum for students. The Big Break: Members of Avril Lavigne's band return to the alma mater.

2008 - On March 31st, Jim performed on Live with Regis and Kelly. At the end of the performance Regin Philbin references Jim and makes a truly fun crack at him.

2008 - On April 6th, Jim performs in Calgary, Alberta during The 2008 Juno Awards. 

2008 - The Best Damn Tour (Live in Toronto) DVD was filmed at the Air Canada Centre, in Toronto, Ontario. The DVD is scheduled for release September 9th, 2008.

2008 - On May 12th, Jim officially announces signing to a label with plans to release a new record by end of 2008 or early 2009.

2008 - After a short break, The Best Damn Tour continues; commencing in Glasgow, Scotland on May 26th and concludes July 9th in Loeben, Austria. During this second leg, Jim travelled to over 20 countries in a span of six weeks.

2008 - During the month of June, Jim conducts a second interview with On The Rebound sharing details on the direction of his new upcoming record and touring with Avril Lavigne on The Best Damn Tour.

2008 - The third leg of The Best Damn Tour included a number of summer festival performances throughout the United States, and Canadian shows visiting Eastern Canada. This part of the tour commenced on July 22nd in St. Louis, MO and concluded on August 13th in St. John's, NL.  Memorable moments during this part of the tour had Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 fame and husband of Avril Lavigne performing In Too Deep with Jim during a number of Canadian dates on the tour.

2008 - Jim played on a number of new records released during this year for some truly prominent up and coming indie artists including Matt Duke (Kingdom Underground released September 23rd), Curtis Peoples (self-titled August 19th) and Josh Hoge (Everything She Was released September 9th).

2008 - Co-writing credit on Marc Broussard's September 16th release Keep Coming Back. Jim collaborated and co-wrote the following tracks including Keep Coming Back, Evil Things and Why Should She Wait.  

2008 - The final leg of The Best Damn Tour concludes in Beijing, China after dates throughout August - September in Asia.

2008 - On October 8th, Jim performs on keys and sings back up vocals during Marc Broussard's performance of Keep Coming Back on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno filmed in Los Angeles, CA. 

2008 - Final perfomance of the year with Avril Lavigne took place on October 14th for a special corporate event for Nokia Productions.  The show took place at Nokia Plaza, in Los Angeles.

2008 - The Paul Stanley "One Live KISS" official DVD was released on October 15th.  The entire Rockstar House Band joined Jim on this tour including: Nate Morton (drums) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass), Paul Mirkovich (keyboards/vocals) and Raphael Moreira (lead guitar).

2008 - Filming of the new television series MTV Star Maker commenced in November and completed in December.  Jim is featured on guitar, keys and vocals. This Mark Burnett production is slated for airing in 2009 (May). 

2009 - Throughout February and March of this year, Jim performs on vocals and keys with Cher at The Colosseum, Caeser's Palace in Las Vegas.

2009 - In April and July, Jim performs with The Goo Goo Dolls during a series of corporate and summer shows on keys and vocals.

2009 - Ten episodes of P. Diddy StarMaker airs on MTV, and Muchmusic Canadafrom August to October. Jim is featured as part of the House Band during performances and various rehearsal clinics with contestants.

2009 - In late September, Jim writes and records in his studio with Bek Phillips a singer/songwriter from Connecticut recently signed to ZW Records.

2009 - Jim serves as Musical Director for Weezer and performs with the band on series of promotional appearances including Jimmy Kimmel Live and various concert appearances in both LA and NYC during the month of October in support of the new CD release Raditude.

2009 - On October, 8th, Jim performs at the LA legendary nightclub, The Viper Room along with fellow musicians as The John Hughes Tribute Band, covering the music featured in John Hughes films. That same evening Jim (aka Val Derringer) along with The Steve's and Golden Delicious, debut their new 80's project The Awesomeness.

2010 - The Awesomeness, cover General Larry Platt's American Idol audition song, Pants On The Ground with 5,000 hits in the first week on You Tube.

2010 - The Awesomeness release their debut CD, Inside Your Head, consisting of catchy songs with a true 80's vibe.

2010 - The Awesomeness perform for industry representatives during an exclusive showcase at Gibson Guitar Showroom, Beverly Hills, CA.

2010 - February 17th, The Awesomeness host their official CD release party at The Viper Room launching their debut record Inside Your Head.

2010 - On February 28th, Jim performed with Avril Lavigne during the Closing Ceremonies at the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

2010 - On March 3rd, Jim performed with Avril on grand piano and vocals on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. This marks the first live performance of Alice Underground from Almost Alice, the soundtrack to the Tim Burton-directed movie Alice in Wonderland. 

2010 - At the 17th Annual Race to Erase MS Benefit Concert in Los Angeles, CA, Jim performs with Avril Lavigne along with a star-studded line-up of performers including the legendary band Heart.

2010 - On April 28th, Jim performs on keys with Shakira during the track Gypsy on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

2010 - On May 21st Jim performs on guitar with Shakira at Rock in Rio Lisbon, Portugal followed by Rock in Rio Madrid, Spain. This festival series is to be considered one of the largest music events in the world.  Rock in Rio Madrid included attendance of over 80,000 the night Shakira performed.

In addition:

• Written songs for TV shows including One Tree Hill and Smallville.
• Toured as background vocalist and guitarist for the 1980's glam metal band Poison.
• Performed with Tal Bachman and Tiffany and Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
• Jim references his musical influences to include modern artists such as U2 and Coldplay. Gamble and Huff, brings him back to his hometown roots of Philadephia, PA.
• Jim endorses and owns a special custom made Trailer Trash Pedal Boards
• On a lighter subject, it should be noted that Jim is a huge fan of Starbucks coffee, and the Philadephia Eagles