You probably haven't ever heard John McDermott on top 40 radio but the fact
remains, he's one of the top-selling artists in the country.
"I'm very fortunate because I don't really think I'm all that great a singer," he states
matter-of-factly, despite the fact that his popularity boasts what he will not.
McDermott recorded his first album, Danny Boy, as an anniversary present for his parents. He wanted
to give them a collection of their favorite Celtic songs, but couldn't find anything that fit the
bill. So ...
"I made one myself. It took off. I never expected it, really."
With luck on his side, McDermott, once an employee of The Toronto Sun, now an inspiration to
paperboys everywhere, suddenly found himself in a new, self-made career.
"The Sun has been very good to me over the years. I owe a great deal to them.
"But I have no great love of the industry. They haven't really done me any favors, so what are they
going to do ... stop?"
His new album, Love is a Voyage, is filled with ballads old and unique. He covered Natives -
translating it into French as well - his own statement about Canada's diversity.
"Is it political? Well, of course it is - I can't deny that. We live in a country where we speak so
many languages and yet we can't communicate. It's ridiculous, really. I took a shot at the
obvious."
He also covered the Beatles' Here, There and Everywhere, and paid tribute to his recently deceased
father Peter by putting his version of The Last Rose of Summer at the end.
And though radio stations are as yet unaware of the folk explosion to come, McDermott is right on top
of things.
"I wouldn't say I'm surprised by my success. I mean, these songs I'm doing are so wonderful, I think
they sell themselves. There's not a lot of room for adult music on the radio, and it's a shame
because our records sell so very well, you think there'd be an audience. But such is the wisdom of
the radio stations, I suppose."
John McDermott will get things in the Celtic spirit, opening for Ashley MacIsaac (whom he far
outsells, by the way) tonight at the Jubilee Auditorium.
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