Daniel McMahon

McMahon in 2023

Daniel James McMahon (November 1982 – September 19, 2024) was an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and audio engineer from Rockford, Illinois. Together with Miles Nielsen, he composed original music for the 2009 documentary film Undefeated,[1][2] which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature[3] on February 26, 2012. Michael Brook also composed original music for the film.

McMahon played, toured, and recorded with numerous Midwestern musicians and bands, including Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons, Miles Nielsen (as part of The Rusted Hearts), and Cameron McGill (as part of What Army), among others. He recorded with all three of these groups, as well as Trapper Schoepp & The Shades, on their respective Daytrotter sessions.[4] His production and accompaniment work with Wisconsin folk-pop duo, Daniel and the Lion, helped the brothers attract the attention of Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz, who invited the full band to play his Outlaw Roadshow showcase in New York City (as part of the 2013 CMJ Music Marathon festival) and called them, "The best pop band we've ever had at the Roadshow."[5] At the close of day 1 of the Roadshow showcase, McMahon performed onstage with Counting Crows.[6]

In addition to his primary performer role as guitarist and backing vocalist of Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts, he recorded and played with Bun E. Carlos (of Cheap Trick) in The Monday Night Band, which performed exclusively on Monday nights.[7][8]

On April 2, 2012, Rockford, Illinois, Mayor Larry Morrissey declared April 2012 Dan Lindsay, Dan McMahon, and Miles Nielsen month in the City of Rockford[9] for their work on Undefeated. Also in 2012, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award[10] from the Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) organization and scored the 12 minute-long short film that helped the Rockford Park District win the 2012 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).[11][12]

He owned and co-operated The Midwest Sound, a farm-house recording studio on the outskirts of Rockford, Illinois, and was a two-time RAMI Award winner (2013 and 2014) for Best Recording Studio.[13]

On September 19, 2024, McMahon died following a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 41.[14]

  1. ^ "Undefeated (2011)". IMDb. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  2. ^ Rosenbloom, Etan. "Daniel McMahon and Miles Nielsen Remain Undefeated". We Create Music Blog. ASCAP. Retrieved March 6, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Oscars 2012: 'Undefeated' wins for feature documentary". LA Times. February 27, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  4. ^ "Daytrotter Performer Archive". Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  5. ^ "Adam Duritz from Counting Crows Invites Daniel and the Lion Back to CMJ". Various Things Live. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  6. ^ "The Outlaw Roadshow Recap". My Music Life. October 30, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  7. ^ Schier, Frank. "Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos Stays Local". Rock River Times. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  8. ^ Argyrakis, Andy. "Interview: Miles Nielsen". Illinois Entertainer. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  9. ^ Curry, Corina. "Undefeated Musicians Honored at Rockford City Hall". Rockford Register Star. Gatehouse Media, Inc. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  10. ^ "RAMI Outstanding Achievement Awards". Rockford Area Music Industry. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  11. ^ "Rockford Park District Receives 2012 Gold Medal Award". Rockford Park District. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  12. ^ "Rockford Park District 2012 Gold Medal Video". YouTube. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  13. ^ "RAMI Winners by Year". Rockford Area Music Industry. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  14. ^ "Rockford musician Dan McMahon dead at 41". WTVO. MyStateline. Retrieved September 19, 2024.