Pat McCurdy
Pat McCurdy | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 1977–present |
Pat McCurdy is a singer-songwriter from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Biography
McCurdy was influenced at an early age by the first appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. After teaching himself guitar and participating in several high school bands, he went on to front Yipes! in the late 1970s, formed with fellow University of Wisconsin students.[1] Often described as a power pop or new wave band, Yipes! enjoyed some moderate success after being signed to RCA/Millennium in 1978. However, the label dropped the band after only a few years.[2] He has two sons, Julian and Miles.
Career
McCurdy spent most of the 1980s fronting several bands. The Men About Town (which included several members of Yipes!),[3] Mankind, and The Confidentials all enjoyed minor success touring the Midwest. It was not until late in the eighties, when McCurdy decided to take tentative steps into performing solo, that he managed to find his real niche.
Performing initially for sparse audiences in small bars, he honed his act to what could be described as "interactive goofiness". For example, one of his most popular segments are his tributes to the 1980s and 1990s. These medleys, consisting largely of
He regularly tours the upper
In 2008, he was asked by the Green Bay Packers to write a song to play in their stadium. Originally objecting because he did not like sports songs, he went on to write "I Love the Green and Gold," eventually making it into a music video starring himself and featuring Larry the Cable Guy. After the Packers won Super Bowl XLV, he wrote a follow-up song entitled "The Trophy Song."[6]
During the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, McCurdy performed 15 consecutive Friday evening "Shelter in Place" shows on Facebook. The shows were streamed live from his home in Wisconsin for tens of thousands of viewers from all around the world. Each show lasted about 90 minutes and featured a different drinking word, unique song requests (including several that Pat had not played in over 25 years) and shout outs and thank yous to fans. The performances often featured cameos by longtime manager Brian "Murf" Murphy, sound wizard Jim "Pipe Jim" Schaufelberger, Kimmy Unger from The WhiskeyBelles and members of McCurdy's family.[7]
Discography
- with Yipes!
- Yipes! (1979)
- A Bit Irrational (1980)
- Yipes!!! (2018)
- with The Confidentials
- How To Love And Be Loved (1985)
- The Good Life! (1988)
- Solo albums
- Memorial Day (1989)
- The Sound of Music (1991)
- Pat in Person (1992)
- Show Tunes (1995)
- The Big Bright Beautiful World of Pat McCurdy (1997)
- Pat in Person Volume 2 (1998)
- Fainting With Happiness (2000)
- My World of Love (2003)
- 15 Favorites (2007, compilation)
- Love is a Beautiful Thing (2012)
- Pat McCurdy Now! (2014)
- Souvenirs (2017, compilation)
- Now is Not the Time for Sad Songs: A Pandemic 2020 Souvenir (2020)
References
- ^ a b Woodworth,Nikki (11 April 2013). "McCurdy strikes a chord". Badger Herald.
- ^ Levy, Piet (12 April 2013). "Former Milwaukee favorites Yipes! reuniting for WAMI awards". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ^ Infusia, Divina (9 July 1982). "Success wasn't enough for Pat McCurdy". The Milwaukee Journal.
- ^ Olson, Drew (16 August 2006). "A Night on the Road With Pat McCurdy". OnMilwaukee.
- ^ Stewart, Allison (6 February 1998). "Patheads Of The World Insist That Affable Pat Mccurdy's The Man". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Pat McCurdy Interviewed About "We Love the Green and Gold". WTMJ TV. 7 November 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Register" – via facebook.