Hello! I've been an Early Country Music singer and guitar and autoharp player on and off for about 10 years now. A few years ago I got inspired to try and sing traditional American music really well, and now I'm playing around as much as I can, in London, Ontario. It turns out we have a sweet little bluegrass scene brewing here, and for a time I joined some nice guys in St. Marys, called Black Water Ridge, doing a mix of bluegrass, honky-tonk and (gasp!) Gordon Lightfoot tunes. Life has intervened though and I can't keep that up anymore! I'm still making the rounds as much as possible, singing duets with my husband Martin.
I'm a traditionalist and count my highest inspirations to be first generation players of bluegrass and country music. I have a special interest in the role of women in Appalachian music, and have dreams of getting down to Appalachian State University one day for their Master's program... For now I'm finishing my undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Women's Studies, working as many angles as I can to write about music...
I grew up with the music I sing, my grandad and dad and his sisters all played the old country stuff, as well as Carter Family tunes... once it's in your ear you can't stop hearing it... which is good because I have a 3 1/2 year old son who's started pretty early - he already knows how to use fingerpicks and plays his toy guitar like an upright bass! In December 08 I had another son, Oliver, so as everyone says, we've got the makings of a family band! I used to live in Toronto and had a great time learning to play guitar there, as well as helping my friend Steve Pritchard host his (excellent) bluegrass radio show the Radio Boogie, on CIUT 89.5. My husband Martin & I make sweet music together... and sing some too! We like the old duets - he has a knack for learning songs my grandad and grandma used to do, without knowing it. It always makes my mom cry! When I get to Toronto I play and sing with the most fabulous banjo player Kathy Montgomery - together we are like dynamite!
I was the founding president of the Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada - an umbrella organization which hopes to serve to link the central Canadian bluegrass and old time music community. Our organization is young, but very active and made up of experienced players, promoters and community members from across Ontario. We're always looking for new members and their ideas, so please don't hesistate to contact me if you have ideas for the organization, or wish to become involved.
Keep your eyes out for me as I travel far and wide, with family and friends on both coasts, north and south of the (Canadian) border... and in the words of a friend, 'Keep on Pickin'!
