|
For over fifteen years, Janet McGarry
has continued to be a dominant presence in bluegrass music,
both at home and abroad. She has shared stages with some of the
most revered performers of this genre, and of her time. With nine
albums to date, each have earned her awards, accolades, and much
deserved respect from the music industry. Among her most significant
career accolades, Janet is now a "Daughter of Bluegrass",
a leading group of female bluegrass artists, appearing as a lead
artist on the cd "Bluegrass Bouquet", the group's third
collaboration on Blue Circle Records. Janet is also a five-time
"Female Vocalist of the Year" at the Eastern Canadian
bluegrass Awards, the industry's highest accolade.
Coming from a musical family, her father, Peter, and brother,
Raymond involved her in the local music scene as soon as they
discovered her love of performing to audiences. Performing before
live audiences in little country halls during those early years
provided Janet with a strong passion to sing. These were the building
blocks that led her to share her love of music and simply sing
what was in her heart.
Encouraged by fans and friends she met along the way, she recorded
her first cd in the year 2000, which was a collection of bluegrass
songs from her idols, and new material penned by local songwriters.
That same year, she met her long-time idol, Hazel Dickens, at
IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association), in Louisville,
KY. Janet found a treasured friend and mentor in Hazel. In her
lyrics, Janet found words to live by and she would be compelled
to include one of Hazel's songs in each of her recordings.
Winding forward through the years, Janet forged wonderful friendships
with her peers in the industry across the miles. Her most dearest
ones, by far, are her fans. Janet remembers every sign of affection,
stories shared, tears shed, and carries each and everyone of her
fans in her heart, dearly. It is what is heard in her voice; an
understanding, a remembering. Her voice is centred and rooted
in her heart, which is perhaps why she is so often recognized
for having an honest and crystal clear voice, drawing comparisons
with some of the most soulful voices of our time.
On each of her albums, Janet stays true to the qualities that
make her albums unique, and while branching out musically and
exploring new sounds from time to time, the essential elements
remain the same.
With nine cds to her credit, as well as notable appearances on
two compilation cds - the "Daughters of Bluegrass - Bluegrass
Bouquet © 2009" and "Bluegrass Bands / Helping
Hands © 2009", Janet plans to begin her next recording
in the fall of 2011. To celebrate, she plans to record a special
double album cd, featuring some of her most requested songs from
earlier recordings, fan favourites, as well as brand new songs
from some of the finest songwriters. Including stories along the
way that have brought these songs to life, this milestone cd is
bound to be a true treasure, given Janet's musical journey.
One might say that Janet has come full circle. In many ways, she's
travelled far distances while staying close to home. She enjoys
singing to audiences great and small, young and old, as much today
as in those early days, and most of all, enjoys the people she
meets along the way. Her love of singing has been a gift she continues
to share with those around her. Be sure to stop by and introduce
yourself after a show or concert - she'd love to meet you!
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- DAUGHTER
OF BLUEGRASS - 2009
- EASTERN
CANADA BLUEGRASS AWARDS
- Female
Vocalist of the Year 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Master
Female Vocalist - 2007
- EAST
COAST MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS for:
- Bluegrass
Artist of the Year 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
- PEI
MUSIC AWARDS for:"Country/Bluegrass Artist of the Year"
2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004
- "Bluegrass
Recording of the Year" 2003
- "SOCAN
Songwriter of the Year" 2003 w/ Serge Bernard "Looking
Toward Sunrise"
- "Song
of the Year 2003" w/ Serge Bernard "Looking Toward
Sunrise"
- "Female
Vocalist of the Year" 2004
RECORDINGS:
|
