Strung Out

Send us Fan Mail  Welcome to Strung Out, the podcast that dives deep into life through the lens of an artist. Hosted by Martin Laurence McCormack, an accomplished artist, writer, and musician, this episode features an engaging conversation with philosopher and long-time Chicagoan Robert Smith. They tackle a myriad of pressing topics, from the contentious political landscape involving Donald Trump...

Send us Fan Mail  Join us on this episode of Strung Out, hosted by the versatile artist Martin Lawrence McCormack, as we continue our conversation with the extraordinary Irish fiddler Liz Carroll. Liz opens up about her incredible 60-year journey in the traditional Irish music scene, the fascinating stories behind her compositions, and her experiences playing unique instruments. We delve into her...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Strung Out,' host Martin Laurence McCormack sits down with violin virtuoso and Irish music legend Liz Carroll. The conversation spans Liz's illustrious career, her roots in Chicago, and her deep connection to Irish musical traditions. Liz shares personal anecdotes, discusses her journey from learning violin under Sister Francine to winning the Al...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on this episode of Strung Out as host Marty McCormack sits down with the legendary Tom Lounges! Dive into Tom's fascinating journey from a young record store owner and radio DJ in Northwest Indiana to becoming a pivotal figure in the Chicago music scene. Discover Tom's insights on the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry, his experiences mentoring young...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on Strung Out, the podcast that dives deep into the artistic world, as host Martin Laurence McCormack brings you an in-depth interview with the multifaceted Jon Langford. In this second interview, Martin and Jon explore the intersection of visual arts and music. From Jon's unique artistic journey, his musical inspirations, and the industry's tough realities, to h...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful episode of Strung Out, where host Martin Laurence McCormack sits down with artist, singer, and songwriter Jon Langford, a pivotal figure in the alt-country Americana community in Chicago, as well as around the world. They dive into his life as a journeyman musician, touching on significant encounters with legends like Johnny Cash and the stark realities o...

Send us Fan Mail  Join host Martin Laurence McCormack on this episode of Strung Out from St. Joseph Island, Ontario. Marty is joined by guest David Nelson—a musician and avid moose hunter. Together, they share their passions for music and moose hunting, delving into the intricacies of bow hunting, the ethics of hunting, and the importance of conservation efforts in Northern Ontario. Enjoy music se...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Strung Out, host Martin Laurence McCormack dives into the rich tapestry of life as an artist. Join Martin as he celebrates the release of Switchback's very first LP, 'Red or Blue,' reflecting on the nostalgic charm and superior audio quality of vinyl records. Martin shares behind-the-scenes stories from the album, including the inspiration behind...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Strung Out, host Martin Laurence McCormack delves into the details of three songs from his band Switchback's new album 'Red or Blue.' Broadcasting from Door County, Wisconsin, Marty reflects on a recent art exhibition success and thanks the supporters who made it possible. He then discusses the inspiration behind each song, starting with 'Ava...

Send us Fan Mail Join artist, writer, and musician Martin Laurence McCormack in this episode of Strung Out, where he shares an intimate glimpse into his life and the inspirations behind his band's latest album, 'Red or Blue'. Despite battling a summer cold, Martin passionately discusses the creative process, the influence of current events on their music, and previews tracks that be...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode SO 212 of the Strung Out podcast, titled "World Roundup from the Backyard," host Martin Laurence McCormack embarks on a solo discussion covering a variety of topics. He begins by recounting the recent severe storms and tornadoes in Chicago, attributing the increased frequency of such events to climate change and discussing the city's responses to these cl...

Send us Fan Mail Early childhood and special needs students take a lot of patience, love and creativity to help.  However, the people who help such students in Chicago are not well paid and predominantly female.  Martin talks to Early Childhood Development teacher Robert Smith about the challenges and rewards of the profession.  Support the Show. We are always grateful to have you listening to STR...

Send us Fan Mail It's not every day you meet a real live knight.  But in the case of Marc Smith, the Chicago poet and founder of the artform called Poetry Slam, he is.  He was knighted in a ceremony in France for creating the art form, which has taken off in Europe.  He was also given the keys to the city of Tours as well.   But none of that fazes Smith.  His midwestern roots and working-clas...

Send us Fan Mail Singer-Songwriter Jonas Friddle is also a teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.   Teaching not only banjo, but songwriting, Friddle discusses his technique for writing his songs.   He also talks about the Chicago musical scene and his own ways of adjusting and surviving in today's frenetic musical business world.   His advice for aspiring musicians is well...

Send us Fan Mail Jonas Friddle is a singer, songwriter and Old-Time banjo player whose songs have received The John Lennon Songwriting Award, First Place in the Great American Song Contest and a nomination for Album of the Year in the Independent Music Awards.  His tunes bear the marks of a musician who has done his time in pub sessions and square dance halls, and his writing is full of imagery, h...

Send us Fan Mail Martin and Robert Smith take a look at this world from the back yard in Chicago. Our regular mix of geopolitics, the political race here in America and how class inequality factors into immigration, taxes and pretty much everything.  We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links: SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK...

Send us Fan Mail  Martin interviews his daughter Aine about her piano accomplishment in winning second place in the Illinois Music Association competition for piano.   Already composing songs, it's interesting to hear ten-year-old's thoughts about competition, rehearsal and composition of original scores. Support the show We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT.    Her...

Send us Fan Mail Martin talks to his daughter Aine about her decision to research the artist, Frida Kahlo.  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   (note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the li...

Send us Fan Mail This is part of an ongoing project into the idea of rewilding: removing areas of semi-settlement in return to a legacy area....with very little human involvement.  It's the secret of how our planet will be able to remain a bit wild.    Support the show We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT.    Here are some important links: SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.b...

Send us Fan Mail Gerald Dowd has been described as “the hardest working drummer in Chicago” (Richard Milne, WXRT), playing on over 100 albums, and averaging 150 live dates a year around the world. In recent years, he's been releasing solo albums of original material, starting with his 2012 release, Kingsize EP. In 2014, he was the recipient of an IAP arts grant from Chicago's Dept. Of Cu...

Send us Fan Mail ​​Gerald Dowd has been described as “the hardest working drummer in Chicago” (Richard Milne, WXRT), playing on over 100 albums, and averaging 150 live dates a year around the world. In recent years, he's been releasing solo albums of original material, starting with his 2012 release, Kingsize EP. In 2014, he was the recipient of an IAP arts grant from Chicago's Dept. Of...

Send us Fan Mail It's the World Roundup (from the backyard of Martin's house in Chicago). This week Martin talks about the college Palestinian encampments and how both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli factions are getting things half wrong.  Then we look at two very interesting stories that popped up in the news that you probably don't know anything about.  Support the show We are al...

Send us Fan Mail First of all, check out Cory's website at www.corygoodrich.com.   We discuss the visual art of Cory Goodrich on this podcast, and how her discovery of "a family secret" led her to creating art as a means of expressing her inner feelings.   Born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Clarkston, Michigan, Cory Goodrich is a Jeff Award winning actress for her roles as M...

Send us Fan Mail First of all, check out Cory's website at www.corygoodrich.com. Born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Clarkston, Michigan, Cory Goodrich is a Jeff Award winning actress for her roles as Mother in Drury Lane Oakbrook’s acclaimed production of Ragtime, and as June Carter Cash in the Jeff nominated Johnny Cash revue, Ring of Fire at Mercury Theater Chicago, where she was al...

Send us Fan Mail Martin discusses the significance of the anniversary of the start of the Civil War with the firing on Ft. Sumter.  How the war, which focused on the elimination of slavery, was also a war about class power, in this case, the Southern elite.  The slave owners were determined to hold power and economic power by keeping people enslaved.  Once the war ended, the next approach was to d...