Jimmy McGorman is a Berklee-trained multi-instrumentalist who has spent three decades as a sideman, musical director, and backing vocalist—currently with the Goo Goo Dolls, and previously with Avril Lavigne, Cher, Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Michelle Branch, Weezer, Poison, Paul Stanley and Ariana Grande. As a songwriter, he has worked with the Goo Goo Dolls, Sabrina Carpenter, and Michelle Branch. He’s co-founder of the synth-pop duo Flight to London (Virgin Music), and writes about the working musician’s life on his Substack, Surviving the Dream.
The irreplaceable parts of playing guitar—listening, locking in, knowing when to support—can only be learned by playing with other musicians in real time.