Bio - Jim McGorman

1974 – July 10, 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).

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

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

2003 - Jim sang on the song "It's Nothing New" that was featured during the movie Swimfan.

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  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 – 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.

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

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 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 - February - Jim has joined the touring band for Avril Lavigne (as guitar player and backup vocalist). 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Jim's song Here featured in White Irish Drinkers, an indie movie starring Karen Allen. The movie was released in March and here is a clip featuring the song.

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.

2010 - The highlight of Jim's stint in Shakira's backup band was the performance during the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa on June 10. It was the show's finale and Shakira performed the World Cup anthem Waka Waka with local band Freshlyground. Jim was shown on TV for a few seconds which is a small miracle as the band was hidden among the performers. The concert was broadcast in 92 countries and watched by over a billion people.

2010 - Jim spent the last quarter of the year accompanying the singer/songwriter Zoe Scott, performing a few club and radio station gigs.

2011 - Jim spent the entire year on the road with Avril Lavigne as her musical director, guitarist and main backup vocal. They were promoting Avril's fourth studio album Goodbye Lullaby. It kicked off on Dec 31 2010 with the performance on the ABC Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2011 and finished on Dec 31, 2011 with the performance for the Jiangsu Satellite TV (JSTV) New Year's Eve Concert. They performed many mini concerts and TV shows across 5 continents. Here is the full list of events, a lot of videos and even more photos

2011 - The Black Star Tour with Avril Lavigne was kicked off on April 30 in Beijing, China. Jim performed  50 concerts on 4 continents (full list here, photos here and videos here and here). Jim played guitar and sang backing vocals, but also played grand piano on a few songs: When You're Gone, Fix You and Alice - on the last one he had a solo intro. Worth noting is the band interlude, a medley of a few Avril songs (Unwanted, Losing Grip and Freak Out) as well as Jim's vocal solo on Smile which the crowd always loved.

2012 - The second leg of The Black Star tour kicked off  On Feb 4 in Tokyo. This leg had 9 concerts in Asia, the last one on Feb 18 in Kuala Lumpur, when Jim got to sing lead! The song was Pumped Up Kids by Foster People. In March Jim had another mini concert with Avril  - and that was for the launch of Avril's fashion label Abbey Dawn.

2012 - Jim had a short stint as a backing vocalist on The Voice S02 for a few shows in April and also performed with Poison  on the Rok Of Ages Premiere concert in Hollywood in June. Jim got back on The Voice S03 for the season finale, where he played guitar during the performance of Avril Lavigne and the winner Cassadee Pope.

2012 -Jim formed  Purple Tongue Records, a production company & record label (togehter with his patners Robb Vallier, Chris Thompson, Marc Slutsky and Dante Mackay) and moved to a brand new studio. Purple Tongue produces artists and releases original content music and videos. The first artists signed to Purple Tongue are American Idol alumni Mikalah, Drew Arcoleo, Michelle Moyer, and Ryan Fitzgerald.  Jim himself released a few songs though his label (Get It Out, Unbelievable and There's No Over You) as well as a video for There's No Over You  which  has had  almost 4 million hits on  YouTube!

2012 - Jim was also involved in co-writing and producing the latest record for Laura Michelle and Dan Godlin. He has also been writing with Kate Voegele and Marc Broussard.

2013 - A couple of ACM Awards events with Cassadee Pope in Las Vegas (April)

2013 - In early May, Jim and Steve Fekete embarked on a (mainly) country radio promo tour with Cassadee Pope.  By December they criss-crossed USA and Canada and performed more than a hundred acoustic shows. From conference rooms and shopping plazas, through high-tea lounges and rib joints to iconic venues like Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and The Boston Symphony Hall of Music. They performed in hospitals for children in Boston and Dayton, OH and gorgeous venues like the Chihuly Gargen and Glass Centre in Seattle.

2013 - From May 31 to October 4 Jim performed on more than 30 concerts as Cassadee Pope was opening for Rascal Flatts/Band Perry during their "Live & Loud" Tour.

2013 - Jim appeared on the following TV shows with Cassadee Pope: NBC Today, NBC America's Got Talent, Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Voice S05S25

2013 - Jim took part in the official video for Cassadee's first single Wasting all This Tears on You released in July and the CMT "Frame By Frame" 6 part documentary about Cassadee's journey after winning the Voice Season 3. It was shown during October.

2014 - Opening for Dean Brody  during his 17 concert tour Jan/Feb in Canada (w/ Cassadee Pope).

2014 - Opening for Tim McGraw on 34 concerts from May to November (w/ Cassadee Pope).

2014 - Additional 50 concerts w/ Cassadee pope (festivals, fairs, music halls, pubs and saloons...)

2014 -  Feb 7 - Appearance on  Breakfast TV, Toronto, ON with Cassadee Pope. It was acoustic performance of Wasting All These Tears and Wish I Could Break Your Heart.

2014 - Mar 19 - America Morning Show, Nashville, TN with Cassadee Pope

2014 - Sep/Oct - Jim was shooting a couple of specials for Xfinity On Demand at the Willow Grove resort in Virginia - where he was playing some shows with a few artists (Kate Voegele, Bek Phillips, Luke McMaster, Marc Broussard) and co-hosting the show. Nick Lachey was the first guest that Jim interviewed.

2015 - Feb 8 - Jim played guitar and sang backing vocals at the Gwen Stefani first solo concert in six years (as part of the MasterCard Priceless Surprises) at Orpheum Theatre, LA.

2015 - April onwards - Jim continues performing with Cassadee Pope as her backing vocal; guitarist and musical director.

2015 - Jim played all the guitars on a 14 song record for a Mexican artist  Yahir.

2015 - Jim produced  5 song EP's for Michelle Featherstone and Em Rossi

2015 - May 15 - Jim played a one off show with Kate Voegele in Norfolk, VA, opening for Colbie Callait. Jim was on piano and backing vocals. 

2015 - July 06 - Jim officially announced opening of his new studio Green Hill. In the first few months of operation, Jim  held sessions for Cassadee Pope (Winner of The Voice: Republic/Nashville), Mr. Hudson (Universal artist and producer), Alex DeLeon of The Cab (Republic Records) and Hollywood Records.

2015 - Nov - Jim went on a mini acoustic tour (NYC, Columbus, Chicago, Pittsburgh...) with his old co-writing pal,  Kate Voegele. He played keyboards and sang backing vocals.

2016 - Jan 28 - Jim performed at the legendary Whisky A Go Go over the weekend with My Silent Bravery.

2016 - Feb - Jim went on another mini acoustic tour with Kate Voegele and Tyler Hilton this time in California (Hermosa Beach, San Diego, San Huan Capistrano, Agoura Hills and Oakland)

2016 - March 16 - Jim performed at the Lucky Strike Live, the Hollywood’s underground entertainment hub. Jim fronted the resident band (including Steve Ferlazzo and Steve Fekete) and performed 4 songs. Al Berry was there too - so we had 4/5 of The BestDamn Band present.

2016 - April 27 - A special edition of SOUNDCHECK Live at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, a homage to the late music icon Prince. Jim was there too and sang 2 songs with the resident band.

2016 - Jan-June - Jim collaborating and producing a full album for an all female band out of Austin, TX called The Mrs.