Exclusive interview with Jim Aug 2023 About Goo Goo Dolls   sunfired.net: Has John’s injury affected the setlist of the Big Night Out Tour? Or anything at all?  Jim: Not at all. sunfired.net: Who is the Musical Director on this tour? Jim: To my knowledge, the Goo Goo Dolls have never had a musical director. Everyone has input, and we are all just trying to make it the best show possible. sunfired.net: During the entire Miracle Pill tour in 2019/2020 you played only your Roland RD 2000 keyboard.  You have added 2 more keyboards since (Summer Tour 2022, Chaos in Bloom 2022 and this one) What are they and why? Jim: There is a Hammond XB-2 and a Mellotron. We added a few more sounds and wanted to change things up a little. sunfired.net: Although dyed-in-the wool keyboard player, you played guitar when touring with Avril Lavigne, Shakira, Paul Stanley, Cassidee Pope, on The Rockstar TV show, to name a few. Do you sometimes miss playing guitar on concerts and would you play it? On which song? That is, if Brad and John let you! Jim: As a side musician, I am there to service whatever the band’s needs are. To me, 2 guitars is plenty. sunfired.net: Hardest song for you to perform on this tour and why? Jim: I wouldn't say one is particularly  harder than another, but having to sing very high harmonies throughout the show can take its toll on me vocally. Come To Me is especially taxing, because I am singing multiple parts and have very little time to get big breaths. But, I love that song, and I enjoy the challenge. sunfired.net: You seem to enjoy and give a 100% on every show, but is there any show on any tour with the Goo’s that stands out and why? Jim: Whenever I have friends in attendance, I usually enjoy those shows just a little more. sunfired.net: Favourite song you love performing on this tour? Jim: Playing piano on Sympathy has been really nice. It’s a very raw song, with an incredibly emotional and honest lyric - and having the piano only gives John’s voice a chance to shine. Also, it’s one of the few times that the piano is featured with nothing else going on - similar to the intro of Better Days. sunfired.net: John seems to be in fine voice (and shape – I was surprised to learn he is 57!) But you seem to be as well. How do you take care of your voice? After all, you sing high harmony to John all the time and it can’t be easy. Jim: We both do vocal exercises prior to the show. Also, staying hydrated and getting rest is key. With our schedule, it is difficult to keep that up for 5 shows a week over the course of 3 months. But, it is also the most important thing for the show. So, it’s a lot of pressure on John. I don’t envy that position. But, he is very diligent about keeping his voice strong - and he has been very consistent over the years. sunfired.net: Last – what do you admire the most about John and Robby? Jim: Their grit and determination. They just continue to work, and hustle and are always striving to be better. They have outworked so many other bands from their era - to stay relevant and to build their touring audience. I believe this summer will be their biggest tour in 25 years. Pretty amazing. About Jimmy McGorman sunfired.net: The Covid 19 pandemic is well and truly over.  But… did the pandemic affect you professionally and personally? Were you ever at a low point (like me) thinking, “This will never end!” Did the pandemic bring any permanent changes for you in any aspect (personally or professionally) Jim: I don’t think there is anyone who was not affected one way or another by this. Having a studio, I was very fortunate to be able to continue to work on music (remotely at first), and then in person. But, I know there were so many musicians that had a rough time working during that time.  I’m not sure if I ever hit a “low point”, but for me - the aftereffects of what children are dealing with, after having to spend so much time learning remotely - that is one part that makes me very sad. As, it is time they will really never get back. sunfired.net: How the music streaming changed the industry is a very popular topic with millions of articles out there on the internet. But I am very interested what you think. You don’t have to elaborate if you don’t have the time. Jim: Once people stopped paying $15/$20 for an album, and the composite opened the gates for ANYONE to put out an album, it changed the music business forever. I’m not sure if it was for the better. That being said, there are some strong positives about the way people make music now. With technology, more people than ever have an opportunity to be creative, and that is a good thing. sunfired.net: Not sure if you addressed this in the previous answer but in case you haven’t: The last time I checked, the streaming platforms count streams towards a song when the song has been played for a minimum 20 secs (iTunes) to 30 secs (Spotify). Has that fact affected the song writing and production (your own and in general) Jim: Not sure that really matters too much. If something is not captivating enough for you to spend half a minute on it, is it really worth that much??? sunfired.net: Tell us more about the projects (cowriting, producing) that you have done recently. Jim: This year, I continued working with Aja (a super talented singer form Toronto), whom I’ve been writing and producing with for a few years now, also worked on (unreleased) batch of songs for an LA born, Nashville living soulful troubadour named Jake Fields. I’ve also worked on songs for the rock band Circle the Earth and my friend, Matt, who goes under the name My Silent Bravery. The top of the year was quite busy with those projects, but I’ve been touring since June, so production work has been put on hold until we slow down with show - later in October. Just a bit of randomness/foolishness for fun. The first thing that comes to mind. And answer only if you feel like it! sunfired.net: Recommend a movie Jim: The Big Lebowski - one of the funniest movie ever sunfired.net: What's a phrase or a word you use a lot? Jim: I use the word “dude” for many applications :) sunfired.net: If you could play sport professionally, which one would it be? Jim: Football (American version) sunfired.net: Someone you really REALY want to meet? Jim: Michael Lewis (author) sunfired.net: Would you travel in the past or in the future? Jim: Possibly sunfired.net comment: Which one Jim? :p sunfired.net: How would you describe yourself with one word/phrase? Jim: I’ll leave that for someone else to answer sunfired.net comment: ChatGPT says "talented" sunfired.net: Of all the places you have visited so far, the place that left you with the deepest impression is…? Jim: Well, I love the Caribbean. Italy also holds a special place in my heart. sunfired.net: The place on this Earth that you haven’t visited and would like to. Jim: I would like to see the pyramids. I wouldn’t go at this time, because of safety reasons, but if things calm down, and I was in a position to go with a high profile artist, that would be on my bucket list. sunfired.net: The subjects that you were best in high school? Jim: I was not a good student, but I think I would enjoy psychology if I took it now. sunfired.net: What is the thing(s) you do before going on stage? Jim: I try to have gratitude and breathe. sunfired.net: Something you got into recently. Jim: I listen to white noise on headphones when trying to sleep on the bus :)   sunfired.net: The scariest thing in the world for you is? Jim: My answer is not something I would want to write down, as I don’t want to give that thought any more attention. sunfired.net: You are a dog-lover, what dog(s) do you have now? Jim: We have a 9 year old Golden Retriever and a 2 year old Chia-pooh! Home