Strung Out

Send us Fan Mail Marty brings in his political analyst, Sandeep Gopal, to comment about the pre-inaugural state of the nation.  The last two weeks have seen seismic changes since the attempted coup took place on January 6.  Sandeep references Isabel Wilkerson, the author of the Oprah Book of the Month selection Caste   and how America has been suffering under a system that was brutally re-establis...

Send us Fan Mail Two significant occurrences in the past 12 months has caused a seismic shift for a lot of people around the United States.   The first is the tumultuous campaign for the 46th presidency of the US.  The second, being the arrival of Covid 19.  Many people in the arts as well as other walks of life, have had to transform and redefine themselves in the wake of no employment, lower wag...

Send us Fan Mail Happy New Year! This podcast has two parts. Part One Marty talks about the New Year and the history behind New Year's Resolutions.  Why they are different from goals.  How setting goals helps one achieve a balanced life.  And how one should avoid any resolution unless it is a resolve to make some goals. Part Two What are Marty's goals with music for 2021?  Give a listen...

Send us Fan Mail Happy New Year!  Or is it more like "Happy to see this year go?"  Marty and Annie take a look at 2020 from the perspective of what good things happened this year.   They also talk about some good websites that have helped them during the pandemic.  Also, there are resolutions, right? Well tune in to hear what they have in mind.  All this and three full songs for you to e...

Send us Fan Mail We have a special two part special for you, all on one podcast episode. Part One.  We talk about the Winter Solstice.  Anne de Courtenay, our resident "witch" helps us unravel the dark mysteries that surround the darkest (and longest) night of the year. Part Two.  What is your favorite Christmas television special?  Was it Rudolph, Frosty or was it something adapted from...

Send us Fan Mail On this podcast, Marty talks about how difficult it is to find middle ground.  After introducing one of his brothers to the writings of historian Heather Cox Richardson, he is in turn told by that brother that "in the eyes of Jon Haidt" such a writer would not be worth her weight in salt.  Intrigued by his brothers objection over a fairly objective writer, Marty decided...

Send us Fan Mail Part  1 "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."   We take a look at the contemporary historian Heather Cox-Richardson. Martin may refer to her at Cathleen Richardson, who is hotwired in  his brain as a great Chicago area rocker.  Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.  Heather Cox Richardson is an expert in nineteenth-century America, specializing in polit...

Send us Fan Mail Well, Covid has changed the world, and part of that change is how Martin McCormack has had to deal with the collapse of the music world.  But more importantly, whether to rise above that change or sink below it.   Those following this podcast or the Mr. Marty Show have seen that Martin has continued along the trajectory of the mission of his art.  That is, to create community, to...

Send us Fan Mail We speak with journalist/activist/grassroots arts advocate and all around fantastic guy, Doug Kamholz.  We explore the creation of his weekly observance "Wednesday Mornings With Moxie" that served as a "not-so-underground" reflection on the Trump regime.  We also discuss the dysfunctional media (or so-called media) that pervades the partisan atmosphere in the c...

Send us Fan Mail The first of two interviews with writer, activist and arts promoter Doug Kamholz.  Though not a household name, Kamholz's life story is something what Joseph Campbell would call "the hero's journey."  A more than unusual birth.  Studying and working at a college literally built by he and his fellow students.  Doing all three things one could do when faced with...

Send us Fan Mail Marty and Annie talk about the euphoria that at first took over their neighborhood in Chicago upon the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.  But a lot of questions remain?  What about the people (many in our families) who voted for President Trump?  What about the world that Trump is now leaving us, even as he refuses to concede or leave the White House?  Can one be a gracious...

Send us Fan Mail Sandeep and Marty talk from the backyard about the twists and turns in what is proving to be a contentious and dangerous election for the United States.  Support the show We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT.    Here are some important links: SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK MARTIN'S WEBSITE: http://www. MARTINMcCORMACK.COM   (n...

Send us Fan Mail Just days away from the election.  Marty and Annie talk about Halloween in the bubble.  They take a look at some of the last ditch efforts to throw a spanner in the election process.  Also the latest covid news in the heartland is not looking that good.  This podcast is reflective and also filled with that feeling of foreboding before all hell breaks loose.  Support the show We ar...

Send us Fan Mail On this show, Marty and Annie discuss Covid coming to their child's school, the debates, the upcoming election and delve into what it means to be an artist.  They especially look at what it takes to maintain  a proclivity of productivity.  In other words, how to serve the Muse.  A  look at Paul McCartney and John Lennon's songwriting skills is explored as well.  A wonder...

Send us Fan Mail We welcome Marc Kelly Smith to back to the microphone. We have the chance to hear Marc describe poetry as "A music of words," and he gives advice to young artists about how being an artist revolves around service.  We also get to hear about the origins of the Poetry Slam and hear some of his more famous poems.  Marc Kelly Smith is creator/founder of the Uptown Poetry Cab...

Send us Fan Mail We welcome Marc Kelly Smith to the microphone for one of two podcasts here on STRUNG OUT.  Marc Kelly Smith is creator/founder of the Uptown Poetry Cabaret. As stated in the PBS television series, The United States of Poetry, a “strand of new poetry began at Chicago’s Green Mill Tavern in 1987 when Marc Smith found a home for the Poetry Slam.” Since then, performance poetry has sp...

Send us Fan Mail Not even a week since the debate and we have had a century's worth of news.  So, let's put that aside for this episode and instead, examine the role of a musician in a world that is rapidly changing for live music.  In this episode, Marty looks into the idea of music in its most ancient form served as a political act.  If it wasn't challenging authority, it was in t...

Send us Fan Mail Whoeee! Welcome to the 13th episode.  If you like contact sports, rodeos, jumping out of airplanes with no chute...well then 'tis a pity if you missed the first (and final?) presidential debate.  As promised, Martin McCormack and Anne de Courtenay give their personal take on the whole WTF of a debate that makes the Lincoln-Douglass debates seem like a Tupperware party.  None...

Send us Fan Mail Want to hear from you about which song should be the title track of an album of music. Give a listen and then email Mr. MartyShow1@gmail.com with your pick by next Sunday. On this episode,  Marty walks us through some of news and how "fairness" is being exploited currently in not only politics, but also music.   Prior to the pandemic, the music industry was already suffe...

Send us Fan Mail Wow. What a tough week.  With the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, all bets are off on the SCOTUS.  All is now amplified even more so, as we continue to count the deaths from Covid-19 and the uncertainty that the world is now facing with the upcoming US election.  Into the this maelstrom of chaos comes the artist. The artist is still the best at looking (as Cervantes said) not as the...

Send us Fan Mail The first of a two part series interviewing Chicagoan Richard Friedman.   Friedman has been involved in the arts for many decades as a poet, theatre producer and administrator. In the before times he was General Manager at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. Based on the Northside of Chicago, he is an anti-fascist trying his best to resist the current tilt towards totalitar...

Send us Fan Mail You can make a difference with this podcast by giving a financial gift. This week we continue on with our interview of herbalist Anne de Courtenay.  We specifically ask her to define what types are natural remedies are there during these troubled times.  We also rant a bit about the current political landscape and introduce the song Your Smile , plus a favorite She's Going to...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Strung Out, where we pioneer a bit of "Rock n' Rant".  This week we start to pick apart partisanship, starting at the idea of how to create dialogue with some clearly on the opposite fence of you, while not drawing a gun.   Our special guest is here for this episode and next week's episode as well. Anne de Courtenay is an accomplished writer and edit...

Send us Fan Mail An interview with Chicago musician Paul Von Mertens, as well as the usual full throated ranting!   Paul Von Mertens is a Chicago-based composer/arranger and a performer on saxophone, flute, clarinet and harmonica. He has played and recorded with a variety of artists including Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Stereolab, The Sea and Cake, Poi Dog Pondering, B...

Send us Fan Mail Rock n' Rant with Sandeep Gopal and Martin McCormack.  Today we talk about the pick of Kamala Harris for the Democratic ticket, the Derecho/Tornado in Chicago, what we are to do about the United States Postal Service sabotage and of course, some great music by Martin McCormack mixed in.   Help us make this podcast continue to rock!  We deeply appreciate your support.   https:...