Janet McGarry Bio:
Over the past fifteen years, Janet McGarry has delivered eight albums that have earned her awards and accolades and the respect of the music industry. She is also the first Canadian to become a member of the "Daughters of Bluegrass" and appears on Volume III, "Bluegrass Bouquet" on Blue Circle Records. A pure country girl at heart, Janet McGarry weaves an honest, crystal clear, and meaningful sound that really emphasizes the "true to life" sincerity of traditional country and bluegrass music. Born and raised in the small rural community of Iona in Prince Edward Island, where she grew up in a family of nine siblings, Janet was surrounded by music from a very young age. Her father, Peter, and brother, Raymond involved her in the local music scene as soon as they discovered her love of performing to audiences young and old. Performing before live audiences in little country halls during those early years provided Janet with the desire to sing and entertain. These were the building blocks that led her to share her love of music and simply sing what was in her heart; songs of love, sorrows, longing, hope and most of all, songs of home where all of these feelings would abide.

On her own, Janet began entering local country music talent shows where she would meet friends who shared her passion for music. Amongst her most cherished treasures are the friendships Janet would make throughout her musical life. Soon these shows would open new opportunities which saw Janet join a country band performing at local dance halls and other venues. Then it wasn't long before she attended a local Bluegrass festival where she was introduced to a whole new style of music she really felt she wanted to sing. Janet surrounded herself with a wide range of local musicians and friends, and it wasn't long before she was totally immersed in the world of Bluegrass music. She has a natural 'feel" for bluegrass; what she feels for the music she performs is enhanced by her sincere interpretation of the songs, plus a little gift she shares with a natural "lilt" in her voice that seems to weave itself throughout her music which evokes the feelings of love, comfort and longing which is what bluegrass is all about.

The year 2000 would herald in new beginnings for Janet. Encouraged by fans and friends she met along the way, she went into the studio to record her first ever cd which was a collection of bluegrass songs from her idols and new material penned by local songwriters. Songs like "Roses in the Snow" and "Wildflowers" appeared on this album entitled "My Heart is a Diamond" alongside originals such as "Home" written by Norm Bowser and "Jesus is Building" by Charlie Hansen which became some of Janet's most requested songs. She then hit the festival circuit and with her new choice of instrument, the mandolin, she fronted her own band as Janet McGarry and Wind River.
Janet then made her first trip to the International Bluegrass Music Association conference in Louisville, Kentucky where she made some of her most dearest and enduring friends, including Judie Gehman, and even some of her idols including Hazel Dickens. In Hazel, Janet found a genuine, honest-to-goodness treasure who was as real as her music. Janet would go on to include a song of Hazel's in every one of her projects, beginning in 2001 with her second cd which would hold the title track "Hills of Home" and "West Virginia, My Home" which found its way into Janet's third project "Looking Toward Sunrise".

"Looking Toward Sunrise" was one of many little gifts her fans would bring to her backstage. It was the title of a book that spawned the title track she co-wrote with her husband Serge Bernard. Touched by every heartfelt moment, Janet treasures her fans and friends and whether it be little books, pictures, keepsakes, stories or even a smile, she carries them all with her in her heart. One of her most requested songs, "The Sweetest Gift" ...a mother's smile was a song she discovered from a old Charlie Moore recording which she included on her fourth cd project "Christmas by the Fireside", a song that embodies what she treasures most in her life, the love of family.

This cd would also spawn the beginning of very special Christmas shows. Here, Janet teams up with long time friend and fellow music artist Kim Albert to co-produce a series of concerts entitled "A Down Home Christmas". Featuring special guests and local talent supported by a house band fronted by Kim & Janet, the shows are filled with great entertainment and good old time fun for the whole family. The shows are held in small halls and unique venues throughout the Island in the weeks leading up to Christmas and they provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to get involved by either helping to serve a warm meal or little snacks, or simply bringing a guitar or fiddle for a jam by the Christmas tree after the show. Janet always looks forward to these shows and the happiness they bring.

Life is a precious gift from God. But sometimes life itself has its shares of trials and sorrows. Janet lost her father Peter to lung cancer in 1988 and then her mom Alice to heart failure in December, 2003. Their lives, and the family for which they sacrificed, meant a great deal to Janet. As in times past, Janet would sing her way through these hard times and would go on to record her first Gospel project, dedicated to her mom, titled "He will Bring You Home", which was released in 2005. The title track, co-written with her husband, affirms her abiding faith in God and her confidence that if we follow Him, He will bring us home; home to eternal life. This project propelled her even more to make every project the best that it could be. She, and her husband Serge, enlisted the help of one of Canada's most talented artists, J.P. Cormier, who came to their home to record some of Janet's best songs to date, including "By the Mark" a song by Gillian Welsh, and later recorded by Daley & Vincent. It was also during this project that Janet called on one of Nashville's greatest song-writing team, Tom T. and Dixie Hall, and where she found the first of many treasures, a song entitled "Lord, It's a Hard Road Home", co-written with Troy Engle, a great multi-instrumentalist who would also join her in later projects. This song was also later recorded by Larry Stevenson.A great friendship would develop with Tom T. and Miss Dixie. Miss Dixie would always offer candid encouragement and once remarked "don't you wish you were down here in Nashville" to which Tom T. responded "but you know, she's quite successful where she is...she's doing important work up there in Canada." Janet took these words to heart which led her to record what would become her tribute album to many of the pioneering women in traditional music who paved the way for women like herself in Bluegrass and how important it was to carry that tradition forward. To her, the title track and first song would have to be a Carter Family song and she readily remembered "My Dixie Darlin", a song she loved to sing. It was a song by A.P. Carter, made into a hit by Carlene Carter and often sung by Janette Carter, founder of the Carter Fold in Hiltons, Virginia.

While in the studio one day, Janet happened to call upon the Halls to see if they had written any new songs lately that might fit her project. She went on to describe her project and its title cut and Miss Dixie couldn't wait to share the news. It was a sad time; Janette Carter had just passed away and the Halls' had just returned from her funeral. But somewhere between Bristol and Nashville, they had written "Scenes from an Old Country Graveyard" and Tom T. went right into the studio to record a demo of the song for Janet. With reverence, Janet would give it all her heart and go on to record one of her most beloved songs. She sent her version to the Halls and thought it would be special if Tom T. would narrate the most poignant part of the song as only he could, to which he graciously accepted. and it became her most treasured collaboration.

This time, Janet and her husband's annual trip to the IBMA's in Nashville would include a very special stop over in Hiltons, Virginia where the music all started. Janet and Serge spent the weekend at "The Carter Fold" visiting with the late Janette Carter's two children Rita (Forrester) and Dale (Jett). They visited the church and walked the hallowed grounds where the Carter family once stood, and donned "volunteer" tags at The Fold where Janet would help get things ready for the Saturday evening show and Serge hung a few precious pictures on stage, all very much a family affair. Then with Rita and Dale standing stage side, Janet would go on to sing this very song at the Carter Fold that Saturday night, just she and her mandolin and Serge on his banjo.It was that same month that brought changes to the band. A regular performer on the local bluegrass circuit since 1995 with her band "Wind River", Janet was now starting a new venture with her newly formed group "Wildwood" and they made their on-stage debut in the Good Home Grown Music Suite at the IBMA's in Nashville, TN. Besides Janet, as the lead singer, the band is comprised of Serge Bernard on banjo, Roxeen Roberts on bass and Ryan Roberts on guitar.

After 12 years in the business and, by now a seasoned performer, Janet rolled into 2007 with the release of her seventh recording, "Love & Learn". This album introduced us to a new side of Janet as she branched out musically and explored new sounds; however, the essential elements stayed the same. It kept the qualities that make her albums unique, as her voice and interpretation are instantly recognized.2008 turned out to be a very exciting year for Janet. In March she traveled to Nashville to record a song on Volume III of the "Daughters of Bluegrass". The cd was released in September of 2008 and Janet was thrilled to be a part of this, and got to perform on stage in the Good Home Grown Music Suite during IBMA 2008. Janet also released her 8th. cd in July of 2008, titled "Just Passing Thru". This recording included new songs by Tom T. and Dixie Hall and Louisa Branscomb. The album was produced by Serge Bernard. Serge collaborated with Troy Engle, from Nashville, TN on the instrumentation, and Serge and Roxeen Roberts provided the harmony vocals. 2009 brought with it lots of opportunities as well. In February, Janet appeared with the "Daughters of Bluegrass" at SPBGMA in Nashville. In March, she returned to Nashville to participate in "Leadership Bluegrass". Throughout June - September, Janet kept a very busy schedule on the Maritime Bluegrass Festival circuit. September 2009 brought about a change to the band Wildwood. Naomi Doncaster joined the group, playing bass and fiddle, as well as lead and harmony vocals. Kyle Legere joined as lead guitarist, and sings lead and harmony vocals. Both are accomplished instrumentalists and vocalists. "We are excited about our new band formation and look forward to seeing everyone who comes out to each of our shows" says Janet. As we look forward to these events, we invite you to stop by our table as say "hi".