Exclusief interview with Irish international blues-rock guitarist and singer Eamonn McCormack! McCormack is well known in and outside Europe and is going on tour, first to Germany and then the Dutch area. This week a interview next week followed by a giveaway of an autographed cd!
What inspired you to become a musician? And at what age?
- A kid in the next school classroom came into our class and our teacher placed him up front and he played a piece of music on a Classical guitar (which was almost bigger then him) and I said to myself I am going to play guitar.
- Around the same year I watched Rory Gallagher play a live concert on TV and was hooked on the guitar after that, and knew I wanted to become a full-time musician.
The name of the kid in the next school classroom was Gerry Leonard and we hooked up after many years on Facebook. Gerry was lead guitarist and music director for the David Bowie band right up to David passing away.
What guitar is your favorite to play?
I have two favourites. My 1963 original Fender Stratocaster and my Luna Dragonfly acoustic guitar. I have around 18 guitars.
Do you have a name for your guitar?
I think when I was about 17 I used to call it Debbie after a girlfriend. I just remembered that.
How many countries have you performed at?
Wow maybe somewhere between 15 & 20 counting now on my fingers!!!
What do you think of the netherlands and what is your favorite city?
I love the Netherlands a lot! I think If I had to name three cities that are special to me it would be Amsterdam, Breda and the Island of Texel.
You are very respected in the music world, who are some of the well known artists that you have collaborated with? Who is your favorite and why?
Well as always Top of the list is my old friend and hero Rory Gallagher. Rory is always the most special one. I do what I do because of Rory. He owns a part of every note I play. After Rory I enjoyed playing with Jan Akkerman, Herman Brood, Nils Lofgren, Johnny Winter, Popa Chubby, Pat Travers & Walter Trout.
Do you have any bucket list names that you wish to collaborate with in the future?
Many, but my Top Two living musicians I would love to jam with, if I ever got the chance, would be: Eric Clapton & Neil Young. But it’s mainly a pipe dream. At least I did get to play with musicians who did play with both of them.
How do you prepare for a performance, what is your routine? (If any)
As a warming up I like to sit backstage and just play my (not plugged in) guitar. And sing a song or two to myself.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like working out in a gym, walking, cycling, swimming watching movies, reading. I also have two young Kids and they keep me doing things which keeps me young!!
Why did you decide to get rid of your stage name samuel Eddy and start using your own name?
Sometimes it’s still confusing for a few people. Occasionally someone come’s up to me and say something like.. “You know you look a lot like Samuel Eddy?!” Sometimes I smile and reply: “I used to be Schizophrenic, but both Samuel & Eamonn are OK now!”
Name one proud moment that you’ve had on stage.
A proud stage moment. I’ll never forget walking on stage in 1993 at Parkpop – Den Haag. 500,000 people attendance that festival and Jan Akkerman was my special guest. It was also my birthday that night. Fish was helping me blow the candles on on my cake.
And one embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing concert was in Munster, Germany about 24 years ago. l was fighting Laryngitis for two days. It was very bad and it was the middle of winter. I knew I had only one concert to play before a 4 day break. I did not speak all day and drank tea, took sweets and honey. Then set up to play the show. I went up to the microphone to apologize to the audience that I couldn’t sing with full power because I was sick. But no word came out of my mouth, not a sound, my voice was GONE. I turned to my band and gave the sing to play. I couldn’t sing so I made it a three hour instrumental concert. I experimented and it turned out to be a wonderful concert. Somehow we winged it and it worked. The audience loved it. But at the start for a minute or two I really did not know what to do.
A special thank you to Marianne Cline for all her support.
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