Some of the usual suspects....Craig Korth, Byron Myhre, Will White, Dale Ulan, Mike Lent, John Reischman, John Hyde, Ralf Buschmeyer...
Influences
Iris Dement, Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin, Beth Neilsen Chapman and Emmy Lou I think might have to be right at the top. Alright...I do admit I love David Francy and Tim O'Brien and James Keelaghan. The first song I remember playing over and over again on my parents stereo from my initial Columbia Records Club purchase was Kenny Rogers' The Long Arm of the Law. Then it was into Dolly and really, there was no turning back from there!
My musical life has taken me on an amazing journey so far. I find it a challenge to write these MySpace bios, but here goes!
My musical life really began in earnest when I got a job in my 20's working as a bush cook in a mining camp in the N.W.T. I took my guitar up with me and after the work was done, and the guys were out in the field all day, I really had buckets of time to myself and literally nothing to do and nowhere to go. I practically wore out my Nanci Griffith – Other Voices, Other Rooms cd, and after I had learned everything on there backwards and forwards I started to put my own lyrics to music. It was a natural extension for me from journaling and poetry which I had already been doing for a few years. Upon reflection, that time, as well as my time tree-planing in Northern Ontario for a 3 summers, really cemented my connection to nature, and really, to my own artistic self.
Back in the big city, I have always been interested in a variety of things. Organic food ( I started an organic lemonade concentrate company and ran that for a few years), Photography ( I have a BFA in photography and drawing), Silversmithing ( I did this for several years, and studied it in Mexico), and music has been a constant theme through them all.
Over the years I have played in several bands, but really started to have fun when I met my future husband and musical partner Craig Korth. Together we really have had a great time, playing just the two of us and as well with our current musical gang, Widow Maker. Widow Maker has been a hoot. We got to play in Telluride, Nashville, and Seattle, open for Earl Scruggs, and play a whole bunch of great concerts where we all just had a blast. Musical friendships are a beautiful thing.
I have two albums out. The first, Mornings Like These, still seems to have 'legs' as they say. One of my favorite songs on the album, One Fine Day, will be featured in the soon to be released Finding Farley NFB film by Leanne Allison. The Film is about her family and their journey to travel by canoe and foot across Canada to visit the legendary writer and environmentalist Farley Mowat. Go see it. If it is anything like her first film, Being Caribou, you will be hooked.
The recording of my second album, Deeper Still, has me singing with one of my all-time favorite musicians and human beings, Tim O'Brien. We recorded it live in our living room on a freezing cold day in February in Calgary, and I was in heaven. Tim, Craig, John Reischman, Mike Lent, my good friend Byron Myhre, the dog and the fireplace and I was blissed right out. It was one of those experiences that I can coast on.
Creatively, my family is my most pressing project at the moment. My girls are a whirl of laughing, hiking, knitting and water fights. We moved last summer to the wonderful Nelson, B.C. and I feel as though I am 'home'. We play music all the time, and sometimes even out of the house! We've been contra and square dancing and loving it all.
These days it seems I am listening to Bruce Molsky, shape note singing and I have to say I love Coco Love Alcorn! I saw her at a house concert a few weeks ago and was blown away.
Hey how bout that Julie...it worked!! Anyway just dropping in to say thanks for your CD and let you know how much we enjoy it. Have already given a coupla cuts a spin and will certainly keep it in rotation! Have a great week! Linda
Hey Baby, your music is all awesome 'n' shit. You're one of my favorite people in the world and I'm lucky to have you and Craig for friends and bandmates. Whoa, I think somebody put somethin' in my decaf coffee. I'm getting all sentimental 'n' shit. There's not too many things I love more than singing with you, darlin'.
