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29 Oct 2023 - Jim co-wrote and co-produced the new Goo Goo Dolls single
Goo Goo Dolls have released a new holiday song, called "Who's Gonna Hear Their Wish?" which will appear on a deluxe version of their 2020 holiday album, It's Christmas All Over.

It seems to me like it's a song that didn't make the final cut of the original album, but I may be wrong.

At anyrate, it's a really cool, uptempo song with meaningful lyrics and Jim co-wrote and co-produced it with John Rzeznik.




18 Oct 2023 - Jim performs with Soundcheck Live at Lucky Strike Club
It was almost like the Best Damn Band reunion. Jimmy, Steve Ferlazzo, Steve Fekete and Al Berry performed a couple of songs with Jimmy on vocals: You Get What You Give" (New Radicals) and "Head Over Heels" (Tears For Fears)

The first one was a tribute to New Radicals where Jim played in 1999. This is how he introduced the song:

When  Steve [Ferlazzo] told me that [Soundcheck Live] at Lucky Strike was coming back and they were going to do a bunch
of songs, he asked me to play this next song.

It pains me to say this: it was 25 years ago when this song came out and just a couple blocks away was were the auditions for this band [New Radicals] were. I'll never forget when I heard the song because it was undeniable then and I still think it's one of the best songs that's been written in the '90s. It's a very bittersweet situation for me because I was really young and we got
into it and sold a million albums really quickly and then it all ended quicker than anyone would have imagined.

I'm happy to be here with all my friends. It's really great and we're going to do this song called You Get What You Give.  
 
Aug 7, 2022 - Always nice to read about some Jim appreciation.
The members of the band that Jim has been co-writing with and producing, Circle The Earth, were interviewed for the media portal The Reclusive Blogger and this is what they said about working with Jim:

Working with Jim McGorman is literally a dream come true. In an effort to keep our music fresh and current, we constantly interview and screen outside songwriters. Jim is a schooled musician who graduated from the prestigious Berklee School of Music and he has a very melodic and hook-oriented writing style that is quite commercial and rocks. He and Kazuki work extremely well together and Jim is a consummate professional, who always keeps his word and his deadlines and is a very strong producer in his own right. Now with the combination of Jim and Kazuki doing the majority of the songwriting and Ethan Kaufman producing the recordings, we have found a “hit machine” combination that has led to a string of 6 very strong new songs that we are in the process of completing for our upcoming EP.

Jun 29, 2022 - Co-writing and producing
Jim on Social Media:

“Fireflies” by @itsaja is out now! This is one of the first songs AJA and I wrote together, along with the incomparable with @rob_b_vee. I remember us trying a few different ideas until the chorus melody developed. When it did, we immediately loved its simplicity. And when @dan_braunstein suggested the reverse piano, the track instantly came to life. Very proud of this one guys! Please check it out @spotify and @applemusic. Thanks to @earthprogramnyc for help with the release.

Jim also continued the collaboration with Circle The Earth, co-writing and producing. Here is a video clip and a couple of photos from the studio. The song is "Pick Your Poison" that Jim wrote for the band. It's actually Jim singing a demo of it. 🥰




In an interview for The Daily Scanner, Kazuki Tokaji, the guitarist of Circle The Earth, had this to say about working with Jim:

I understand you’ve been working with Jim McGorman recently, has this influenced your writing, approach, or style in noticeable ways?

Yes! Jim is an extremely talented musician and songwriter who has the capability to inspire any musician who works with him. I have been a huge fan of his for a long time and I’ve been watching him perform on TV since I was a child. My songwriting skills have improved drastically since I started working with him.

He is an excellent singer as well and working with him has helped me write better melodies and riffs for both Circle the Earth and my own solo material. His unique approach to songwriting has helped me structure songs much better and now I view any song that I work on as a story waiting to be written.

Check out "Sweetest Pain" which was written by Kazuki and Jim

March 19th 2022 - And even MORE of Jim the Producer
In the past month or so, Jimmy has been writing with and producing a full length album for @la_circle (Circle the Earth); a multicultural band in the true sense of the word.

Worth checking them out, they have a very interesting sound.

Here is a little clip from the Revolver Recording Studios where they have been working with Jim.

March 08th 2022 - More of Jim the Producer
Just catching up with some stuff Jim has been doing in the past year. I am sure he has been busy as but this is just I found (and liked!)


Isabella Kay

Seventeen-year-old singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. She has been working with Jim for awhile and a result of that are 4 singles which Isabella released in the past 12 months. This is what Isabella said of Jim.

"I really look up to him, he's such a great mentor, he's been an amazing support system to me on my musical journey".

Isabella has a separate page of videos on sunfired (she is THAT good!) so check it out! Jim is also there, performing with her. Well,  of course.


Aja9

Toronto based singer/songwriter who has been collaborating with Jim for awhile. She released a new song called Better Off Without You and this is what she had to say about the collaboration with Jimmy:

I have been working with Jimmy McGorman for about a year now. Jimmy is with the Goo Goo Dolls and has been musical director for Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani and many others. He is an amazing talent. We had already written a bunch of songs before writing "Better Off Without You." We wrote "Better Off Without You" with Robb Vallier. The three of us work really well together and the process is really fun. They know my voice and which direction to go. We are past the experimenting stage, which makes things run really efficiently. The energy in the room is always great and we have all become great friends.

Here are a couple of recent shots from the studio (one, two) and a little goofy video, posted by @aja9.

Cmagic5 -

This 19-year-old Canadian singer/songwriter released a new song “Dancing on My Heart” last year. The track was written by Cmagic5, Jim McGorman and Will Champlin. It features soulful vocals, powerful beats and catchy melodies. Here is the video, so check it out.

March 19th 2021 - Jim the Producer
Recently, Jim made a few announcements on the social media about song releases of some artists he has been working in the past few months – as a producer and writer.

aja9
"Hey all! I am beyond excited to share the release of the song Red Button by the super talented and lovely @aja9! Written and produced by me, with @robbvallier @dan_braunstein @aja9. Sick billboard in Times Square!! Please check it out on any of your streaming platforms!! @universalmusicgroup"

A photo of Jim and @aja9 in Jim's studio

Isabella Kay
"So excited to see the release of Under Your Skin by @isabellakaymusic. Isabella was 15 when we wrote and recorded this! She has an incredibly big and mature voice and I am super proud of the work we have done together. Please check her out! Under Your Skin out now on all platforms!"

Here is a video clip the acoustic version of the song - w/ Jimmy on guitar. And a photo with Jimmy and Steve Fekete in Jim's studio


Olivia Taylor Cohen
"I Dreamed Of You by @oliviataylorcohen is out now! Olivia is a very talented singer/songwriter that I recently had the pleasure of working with. She wrote this song on her own. She plays piano and guitar and is still in high school! Produced by me, mixed brilliantly by @dan_braunstein. Out now on all platforms!"

Oct 23rd 2020 - The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
From the article "Goo Goo Dolls live online, 5 Things to Know" in The Oakland Press, two things refer to Jimmy!

Rzeznik, 54, credits Goos touring members Brad Fernquist and Jimmy McGorman with bringing a level of technical and musical expertise to the project. "They're so good, and they brought in these other guys who were just insanely talented. I’m not an educated musician, and they are. The way they worked out the arrangements for the songs was really inspiring, and I got to put my two cents in and they were able to put it into terminology that real musicians understand. I was like a little kid just watching all this craziness go on."

And also this which is amazing. Actualy, more than amazing:

The album also features a new version of the Goos' 2005 hit "Better Days," sung by the daughter of co-producer and touring member Jim McGorman. "He was playing it at home and she wanted to sing it, and he brought (a recording) in and was like, 'Listen to this.' I loved and it and he's like, "We can work on it and she can sing it better,' but I said 'No, no, no, just leave it the way it is,' because of the purity of it. She's 7 or 8 years old, and you can’t fake that. I got a lump in my throat when I heard it, and I wanted people to hear it in its rawest, purest form."

Can't wait to hear the song!

Oct 3rd 2020 - Release the Goo Goo Dolls "This is Christmas"
Says Jim on social media:

 Today is the release of our new single This Is Christmas, which I co-wrote and co-produced with the incomparable @johnrzeznikggd and one of my closest long time friends @bradfernquist! Brad and I met at the audition for the band New Radicals and have had an incredible personal and musical journey for over 20 years. Cheers brother!!! Please check it out along with the rest of Christmas All Over!!!

Check it out!

Here are the credits on Spotify.



Wow. Jimmy writing and producing with one of the greatest song-writers in pop-music! The guy wrote Iris, for crying out loud. So proud of him!


August 28st 2020 - Jimmy producing for Goo Goo Dolls!
As published in Rollingstone

Goo Goo Dolls have announced their first-ever holiday album, It’s Christmas All Over, out October 30th via Warner Records.

Recorded in lockdown, It’s Christmas All Over features covers of Christmas classics as well as two new original songs. The album was produced by frontman John Rzeznik, Brad Fernquist and Jimmy McGorman.

How cool is that? Jim was thrilled too. This is what he said on the social media:

I finally made it into Rolling Stone! I'm very proud of the work we did on this album. Thanks to the Goo Goo Dolls for  asking me to help produce a beautiful collection of Christmas songs. Happy Holidays!

 

March 31st 2020 - Goo Goo Dolls UK Miracle Pill Tour
This 6 concert tour got raving reviews in the UK press and the online media.

I was lucky enough to attend the last show at the sold out Roundhouse in London on Feb 27th, 2020. It's one of the best shows I have ever attended. 

Jim was on fire on his keyboard and in great voice. Now that I have seen a whole show, not just individual songs on YouTube or blurry snippets on Insta, I realised how much he actually sings during the Goo concerts. He's the only one singing backing vocals and singing higher harmony to John Rzeznik's powerful voice needs extraordinary voice too, a lot of practising, effort and skill.

Jim's musicianship didn't go unnoticed by a couple of reviewers:

Metatalk review of the London Show 27/02/2020

Barely pausing for breath, ‘Home’ keeps up the momentum, all jagged rhythms and some great backing vocals by keys player Jim McGorman but that was just a warm-up for ‘Slide’, the song eliciting the first of the evening’s full-throated singalongs.

Maxumum Volume Music review of the Birmingham Show 25/02/2020

... and when they play “Fallin Down” – on which keyboard man Jim McGorman excels –

Oh, before I forget... Thank you Jim, you are the best!

July 22nd 2019 - "Miracle Pill", a new Goo Goo Dolls Studio album with Jim on keyboards and backing vocals
As published in the Spin Magazine:

The band has released a surprise single and announced their twelfth studio album, both titled Miracle Pill. The 11-track album, which arrives September 13, will also include “Money, Fame and Fortune,” a dazzling, synth-drenched single about the everyday pursuit of the good life.

“[The album] is sort of a comment about everyone needing an instant fix, an instant cure for everything,” Rzeznik says. “We’re living in this incredibly tumultuous time, and I think that people are starting to lose their hope. That was something that just started spilling out of me when I was writing.”

Those song titles and the track listing for Miracle Pill? The band is sharing them with SPIN first:

Indestructible
Fearless
Miracle Pill
Money, Fame and Fortune
Step in Line
Over You
Lights
Lost
Life’s a Message
Autumn Leaves
Think It Over

Check out Miracle Pill and Money, Fame and Fortune. Jim's piano is dominant on the first one and his backing vocals can be definitely heard on the second one!

March 24th 2019 - Jim is recording w/ the goo Goo Dolls!
Says Jim:

I’ve been crazy busy working on the new Goos album! Things are going well and we have another week or so to finish up. It’s been nice to be a part of the process. I’ve been playing a lot of piano and keyboards - as well as singing a ton of backing vocals. 

Here are some photos and a video 

Awesome stuff!

Nov 22th 2018 - Jim participates in a Songwriting camp
Primary Wave, one of the largest independent music publishing, talent management, production and entertainment and branding companies in the United States organised a two day synch writing camp in LA last week. Jim who once had a contract with them (maybe still does?) took part. Apart from the cool photo op, some 20 songs were finished!

My other favourites Hanson, have done this type of thing several times and a few cool songs came out and were released one way or the other for us to enjoy.

Sooo... let's hope we hear some new Jim music soon. Doesn't hurt :)

More info

Oct 17th 2018 - Jim plays in his home state!
Says Jimmy:

"Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to be asked to join this awesome group of musicians. It’s been everything it should be: interesting, challenging, surreal and most of all fun. Excited to play NJ at the Count Basie Theatre tonight, where many of my idols have played."

April 17th 2018 - Jim is back with The Goo Goo Dolls!
Says Jimmy:

"... I just started working with the Goo Goo Dolls again! It’s been 9 years, but I have taken a full time job with them, and I am pretty excited about it... We are scheduled to tour Europe in the summer, and have a full tour in the states in the fall."

Feb 05th 2018 - Eagles won the Superbowl
... and Jimmy is over the moon:

Congrats to the @philadelphiaeagles on becoming World Champions!!! I’ve been an Eagles fan my entire life and I am in shock that they won. After so many heartbreaking loses and years of adversity, the Lombardi trophy finally lives in Philly!!!! Nick Foles and the offense played their hearts out - and the D came up HUGE when we needed them to. It still hasn’t set in yet - but that was one of he greatest games I have ever seen - and I am beyond ecstatic that the Eagles came out on top!! E A G L E S Eagles!!!!!

Oct 10th, 2017 - jimmcgorman.com updated (GASP!)
We could direct you to Jim's website, but you are already here, so... might as well. Some exciting news:

Jim is has joined along with artists like CeeLo Green, Melissa Etheridge, Fantasia, Cypress Hill, Eric Benét, Brandy, Yanni, Def Leppard, etc. and is now represented by Primary Wave Entertainment. Check out the site, pretty cool!

He will be joining Gwen Stefani in promoting her new Christmas album out this fall - with TV appearances on Jimmy Fallon, Ellen and the famed Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. We're very excited about all this!

Lastly, Jim is currently working with Warner Bros. and Capitol Records as Musical Director for new artists Mikey Mike and Jada Grace. Check them out if you're so inclined.

If you don't believe us - it's all here! Quite a few things that Jim has been involved in.


Sep 16th, 2017 - The creature lives!!! Update from Jim!
We got a couple of updates from Jim this month. Not to us unfortunately,  but on the social meadia. No matter, we are glad that he is still kicking:

Says Jim:

Hello everyone! Greetings from Seoul, South Korea! Been here a few days playing with Gwen Stefani - which has been great (and a story for another time). But today is a special day for another reason. I am very excited to announce the release of Marc Broussard's new album Easy To Love! I produced and co-wrote many of the songs on this album and I am extremely proud of it. We touched on a lot of styles and vibes, but essentially, this is a true Marc album. For those of you familiar with Marc's music and his voice, you know that he is one of the most soulful singers around. I have known him ever since the great producer Marshall Altman asked me to play keys on Carencro (Marc's first major label release in 2004). Since then, Marc and I have collaborated many times over the years, but I can say without a doubt, that this is his best work in years. There are many wonderful tracks on this album, but Memory of You and Don't Be Afraid To Call Me are stand outs for me. Don't miss Steve Fekete's incredible guitar solo on Don't Be Afraid to Call Me. It was great working with my man GT (Greg Troyer on bass) who is layin it DOWN!, And as always, the incomparable drumming of Chad Gilmore (who is also a co-writer on many of these songs). Killer mixes by Chris Thompson! Kudos to Justin Tocket for producing the hell out of this as well.

Another thing I love about this record, is the true collaboration of all of the people mentioned above. We made this record all over the country. We wrote and recorded in Los Angeles, and Monterey, CA - and in New Orleans and Houma, LA. With so many records being made by one or two people with a laptop and a limited amount of live playing, I am especially proud of the ACTUAL real musicians, live playing and true collaboration that went into the making of this album. So, Please Please Please (that's one of the songs on the album) check this album out. It's on all of the digital platforms - and you can purchase physical copies (for people like me who still do that) from his website. Since I produced half of this album, I would love it if you could listen to the tracks and let me know which ones you think I wrote/produced. I've never done anything like that, and I would genuinely love to hear your reactions (and it might be kind of fun). Thanks in advance and please know that I (and everyone who helped make this album) truly appreciates your support.

Jimmy

Jan 22nd, 2017 - Jim started the year on a high note!
Most of last year Jim spent buried in his studio working with various people, so we hardly saw any of him except an odd fuzzy Instagram photo here and there.

But this year started with a bang as far as public exposure goes.

Jim and Steve Fekete performed in Gwen Stefani’s backup band during a corporate gig in Las Vegas - Jan 05 or Jan 06 or maybe even 07 – depends which corner of the world you live in. The event was  the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas and Gwen performed at Aria Resort and Casino’s Jewel Night Club as part of that deal.

Jim and Steve were obviously stoked about it – here are a couple of selfies from the airport and the flight - I II.  That’s how we learned about the gig and the rest is Google. BTW, Jim has a lot better phone camera, no offence Steve!

It seems that it was a very cool show. Alas, Gwen is a diva and doesn’t share the limelight with her band - all grey shadows in the dark background -  so no decent photos or movies.

However, owing by the numerous grainy brag posts on Twitter and Instagram, we were able to surmise that Steve was on solo guitar and Jimmy was on keys, playing and shouting “Hollaback Girl” from the top of their lungs.

But it appears that it wasn’t a one off deal!

Rumor has it that Gwen and her band have been rehearsing in Burbank, CA for the past few days. It all points to an upcoming (albeit not announced yet) performance. Steve is there and Jim posted a cryptic clip on Instagram as well. Another rumour points to a Vegas show again. We asked Jim to confirm but he is with Gwen freaking Stefani (no less!) now, so not holding our breath. We will know soon enough! Again, thank you Google and our prodigious searching skills.

Speaking of which, we were able to unearth that Jimmy spent a couple of days in Shreveport, LA  Echophone Recording Studios playing keyboard for the new studio record of Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the famous blues-rock guitarist and guitar prodigy in the the 90’s. Jim seemed very excited about it, cuz he replied to our tweet and said, "Such a great time working on this album with @KWShepherd".

Here are some photos and a little movie we put together from the Facebook Livestream that Kenny posted the other day.

So all in all, a promising start of 2017 for every Jim fan. Keep your eyes peeled for more!