Garth Michael McDermott

After spending his entire life on the east coast and writing songs on piano and guitar beginning at age 12, former New York City-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Garth Michael McDermott spent 4 years in Portland, Oregon (2004-2008), where he released his critically acclaimed record, "Highways and Ghosts, " - an effort that leaned away from the power-pop tendencies of Garth’s past work with American Lad, (called “one of Long Island’s best pop/rock outfits” by The Voice) - toward a more rootsy and personally reflective approach, which Garth developed upon moving to Portland.
"Highways and Ghosts" quickly became a best seller on CD Baby (upon its release) and went on to have half of its songs featured on major network television shows (ABC, CBS, FOX) and lifestyle movies, which allowed Garth to spend some time on the road - traveling on both coasts and selling CDs out of his car.
Upon arriving in Nashville, Garth has been working on putting out a new record of tracks he recorded with the Portland band, The Fingerprints (See "Wish You Well," "You Always Said" and "Sorry, Your Majesty in the MUSIC section of this site), as well as finishing a new nashville-based solo record of songs penned since arriving in Music City.
This summer, Garth has teamed up with Mad Donna's in East Nashville (1313 Woodland St.) and is the brainchild behind their "Intimate Concert Series" that happens each Wednesday evening, from 7-9pm. Garth hosts and books the entire event - assembling a diverse array or writers in the most intimate of settings every week.
"From the beginning, the goal has always been to continue to preserve a very intimate setting where people are actually coming to hear the songs - not talking in the background - and where Mad Donna's becomes THE place to showcase songwriters and up and coming new artists. I usually make an announcement before the show - and it is on all of our literature - that this a 'listening room' - where the audience should be respectful of the performers - (going so far as putting their cell phones on vibrate) while they listen to the writers perform their songs. We also take dinner and seating reservations so people can reserve a night of good food and music. And the food is amazing! (Thanks Joyce!). We are trying to create a intimate "concert" environment. Not an open-mic - or a writer's night where you come, play your 15 minutes, and then sit in the back of the room and talk to your friends. We are all in this together - trying to create an event - an intimate gathering of amazing music and performances.
We also film the event every week and can make individual DVDs for the artists who perform each week. We all sit in a circle with the audience all around us, and take turns playing songs for 2 hours straight. Much like the Bluebird. But unlike the Bluebird, you can actually hang out here afterwards and network with fellow artists, writers and fans. We have drink specials for another hour after the show and always hang around and chat, connect with one another and talk about music. It's been quite amazing, actually!"
For more information about Mad Donna's Writer's Night and Intimate Concert Series, please visit: www.maddonnasmusic.com.