Michael McDermott will perform from 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Bluestem stage.

Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite and at the door. Prices are $15 for students and $20 for adults.

Hailing from Chicago, McDermott is a rock ‘n’ roll singer and songwriter who has toured the globe, going to places as far as Italy.

McDermott draws inspiration from artists such as Bob Dylan, U2 and Bruce Springsteen. He became interested in music at a young age after attending a Rolling Stones concert. McDermott talked about how that show lead him into pursuing a career in music and songwriting. 

“That was a real eye opener, just the whole feel of the rock and roll but then when I started listening to song writers that’s when it really opened up and I thought, gee, what a thing to be able to do that.” McDermott said.

By the time he graduated high school, he started taking his career in music seriously. When talking about his rise in the industry, McDermott said his small beginnings from a small town in Illinois led into him playing slightly larger venues and bars in Chicago.

As McDermott was on the fast track to success, he was featured in the Chicago Tribune and Rolling Stone magazine.

Near the start of his career, McDermott ran into many problems, including a failed record which he talked about how it affected his career and how the people around him changed. 

“All these people–they believe in you and when doesn’t happen, they don’t believe in you and then you’re alone in it, and I felt like I was washed up by the time I was 24,” McDermott said about the album’s failure.

McDermott fell into alcohol addiction and struggled with it for several years. Because of his wife and his daughter, he McDermott decided to quit drinking and has clean for almost two years.

By shifting his attitude, McDermott said his change in mindset has recently shown in his career. McDermott said that he gets to see things in a fresh perspective and has a new outlook on life, which can be seen thorough his goals on what he wants to convey to his audiences.

“My mission statement would be to create something in such a way that it forces people to address their lives and be grateful for the beautiful things and try to fix the stuff that’s broken,” McDermott said.

To find out more about Michael McDermott, visit Bluestem’s website.