Biography
"When all the trends fade and become dated, and all the music from the cutting edge becomes dull, Linda McRae will continue to stand tall, singing and playing music with honest soul and humility, cutting through the fog with her timeless clarity. Linda is one of the true, soulful pioneers of honest roots music. Her singing and playing brings honour to her heroes and to her friends and fans."
Colin Linden, Producer, Award Winning Performing Songwriter
"Linda's music intrigues like a sepia postcard from the past, but is vibrant and alive and very much of the present. The singing and playing are just right. That is a great accomplishment indeed."
Eddie Schwartz, Producer, Award Winning Performing Songwriter
"We first heard Linda sing in at SERFA, in Murfreesboro, TN and were knocked out. She knows how to get far below just performing a song and into singing it from her heart and soul. You just know right away that this is a woman you'd like to get to know better. "
Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz, New Lost City Ramblers, Appalachian Music Instructors
Canadian singer/songwriter Linda McRae is a multi-instrumentalist, Juno nominated, Platinum and Gold recording artist. After having tenured as bassist, accordionist and vocalist with Canadian Roots group Spirit of the West Linda left the band in 1997 to resume her solo career and has since released three critically acclaimed recordings. Flying Jenny produced by Colin Linden, featured a high-powered roster of Canadian talent and showcased the songs Linda had written while with SOTW. Cryin’ Out Loud produced by Gurf Morlix was pure honky-tonk. Linda's latest release Carve It To The Heart co-produced by Linda and Marc L’Esperance features 10 new songs steeped in the dust bowl traditions as far-reaching as the Canadian Prairie to the heartland of the Appalachian Mountains.
Throughout Linda's career she has received a number of grants and awards and in 2007 and 2008 she was awarded a prestigious Canada Council International Touring Grant and a Professional Musician's Study Grant affording her the opportunity to study songwriting with Grammy winning Nashville songwriter Jon Vezner and Round Peak clawhammer banjo with renowned aficionado Brad Leftwich. Clawhammer banjo has now become an integral part of her songwriting and is featured prominently in her live shows as well as her recordings. It has also reinforced her love for old-time Appalachian music and she is planning a course of study with rural folk music specialists Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz.
Linda's musical journey has taken her to Nashville where she has generated quite a buzz on the singer/songwriter circuit performing regularly at songwriter venues alongside premiere Nashville writers. In addition to her busy touring schedule, she also writes a monthly column for BC Musician's Magazine entitled "This Winding Road" and is currently working on her next recording to be released later this year.
Linda is endorsed by Enroute Music, makers of The Porchboard and also by Wyres Handmade Strings
Instrumentation
Linda McRae - Acoustic finger style and flat pick guitar, Clawhammer Banjo, Porchboard, Vocals.
I mostly perform solo but on occasion also perform with
Stephen Nikleva - Guitar (elec/acoustic), Mandolin
Lisa Horngen - Upright Bass, Mandolin, Nykelharpa, Guitar,
FYI Linda also conducts the following workshops.
Hands on Object Writing for anyone who is or wants to be a writer. Simple timed writing exercises will help generate new ideas and help get those creative juices flowing whether you’re a songwriter, poet, creative writer, etc. For all ages.
Voice Workshop for Beginners - Finding your Voice. For those who think they can’t sing because that’s what they’ve always been told. Be brave. Let’s see if we can’t change that. For all ages.
Maintaining Your Voice. For singer/songwriters and touring artists. There are many pitfalls one can fall into while out there on the road. Learn how to maintain your voice while doing what you love most, performing, recording and touring.
Themed Songwriter Rounds:
Gee I wish I written that! Favourite cover songs
The Songs that Hank Built. Songs by Hank: Washboard, Snow, Williams Sr, II, III
Discography
Jason Eklund, 2009
Joanne MacKell, Brand New Lonesome, 2008
Linda McRae, Carve It To The Heart 2007
The Boomchix, Surprise, Surprise 2007
The Knotty Pines, The Knotty Pines 2006
Rodney DeCroo, War Torn Man 2006
The Turaeward Family, Deep Rooted Beefs 2005
Escovedo 101, Alejandro Escovedo Tribute 2004
Rodney DeCroo, Rodney DeCroo and the Killers 2004
Gurf Morlix, Cut�N Shoot 2004
Eric Westbury, Burnt Tonues and Blue Truths, 2004
Linda McRae, Cryin� Out Loud, 2003
Leslie Alexander, Savage Country 2003
John Guliak, The Black Monk 2002
Neko Case, Furnace Room Lullaby 2000
Jim Whitford, Poison in the Well 2000
JT King, Ruby River, 2000
Bruce Cockburn, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, Pete Seeger Tribute 1998
Linda McRae, Flying Jenny 1997
Spirit of the West, Open Heart Symphony Live with the VSO 1996
Spirit of the West, Two-Headed 1995
The Waltons, Cock�s Crow 1995
Spirit of the West, Upfront! Canadians Live On Stage Various Artists 1994
Spirit of the West, Faithlift 1993
The Wonder Stuff, Welcome To The Cheap Seats 1992
Spirit of the West, The Hanging Garden Joni Mitchell Tribute 1997
Spirit of the West, Go Figure 1991
Spirit of the West, Collected Works Compilation1991
Spirit of the West, Save This House 1990
Easy Money, Standing in Your Shadow 1981
Easy Money, Getting Lost 1980
Links
| http://www.lindamcrae.com |