Daniel James McMahon (born November 1982) is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and audio engineer from
Rockford, Illinois, United States. 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.
He has 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 records and plays with
Bun E. Carlos (of
Cheap Trick) in The Monday Night Band, which performs exclusively on Monday nights.[7][8]
He owns and co-operates The Midwest Sound, a farm-house recording studio on the outskirts of Rockford, Illinois, and a two-time RAMI Award winner (2013 and 2014) for Best Recording Studio.[13]
Selected discography
Albums
Daniel Rodriquez (2023) Glimpse into Infitiy (single) (guitar/organ)
High Water (2022) with Irene's Entropy (enginee / producer)
This is Life (Merry Christmas) -
The Lumineers (organ)
Don't ever change(feat. Rick Nielsen) (2021) -
Hanson (engineer)
Daniel Rodriguez (2020) - Sojour of The Burning Sun (guitar / organ)
Echo and Gone (2020) - Daniel McMahon (engineer, producer, compose, instrumentallist)
Social Distance (2020) Daniel McMahon and Darren Garvey (engineer, producer, compose, instrumentallist)
OHBAHOY (2019) with Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts (musician)
The Piasa Bird (2016) - with J. Hardin (engineering/musician)
Tired Dogs, Old Trees (2014) - with Derek Luttrell (engineering and production/musician)
Here's How it Works (2014) - with The Mike Benign Compulsion
Midnight Reruns (2013) - with Midnight Reruns (engineering)[14]
Final Night (2013) - with Daniel and The Lion (engineering and production/musician)[15]
Death Head (2013) - with Daniel and The Lion (engineering and production credits/musician)[16]
Can't Wait (2013) - with Sugarstems
Too Much to Lose (2013) - with Ron Rawhoof
Haymaker (2012) - with Hayward Williams
One May Morning (2012) - with Sarah Pray
Great Divide (2012) - with The Great Divide
Presents The Rusted Hearts (2011) - with Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts