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Photo
by Louise Vessey - Light & Vision Photography
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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:
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For
the last fifteen years, Janet McGarry has been 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. She has delivered nine albums that have earned her awards
and accolades, and the respect of the music industry. Janet is
a “Daughter of Bluegrass”, a leading group of female
bluegrass artists and appears 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.
From her early years performing at local talent shows, to forming
her own record label "Diamond Productions PEI", to performing
and touring with her band Wildwood, Janet is devoted to her music.
She keeps a busy appearance schedule including major bluegrass
festivals, concert halls and other venues.
Janet now has nine cds to her credit, as well as having recorded
on two compilation cds - the “Daughters of Bluegrass - Bluegrass
Bouquet © 2009” and “Bluegrass Bands / Helping
Hands © 2009”. Her voice and delivery capture the very
essence of traditional songs. Be it the most prestigious surroundings,
or backstage at a local concert hall, Janet's presence and music
will make you feel right at home.
Serge Bernard is an accomplished instrumentalist, playing mandolin,
guitar, fiddle, dobro, bass and his main instrument of choice
- banjo. Born and raised in Balmoral, New Brunswick, he's been
playing music since the age of six, mostly self-taught, and has
played and sang harmony in various bluegrass and country music
bands. He has recorded various instruments on locally produced
projects, several of which received industry nominations and awards.
Always willing to lend a hand, or be involved, Serge has produced/emceed/provided
sound at various shows and festivals and was awarded the "Emcee
of the Year Award", at the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards
in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In each of 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
and 2010, he was also honored with the "DJ of the Year"
Award, making him a Master in this category, for his work as co-host
of Bluegrass Island, a one-hour bluegrass show on the Maritime's
oldest radio station CFCY Charlottetown (FM-95.1) - on Sunday
evenings at 9:00 pm.
Serge also wears a hat as Producer/Engineer for Diamond Productions
PEI. where he has produced/engineered bluegrass & country
projects on cd format for Island artists. Several of these CD's
were nominated for East Coast Music Awards.
Janet and Serge continue to record music about life and love;
faith and hope; heartbreak and healing. Their music continues
to be part of the fabric of life for long time listeners and brand
new fans.
Janet
McGarry & Serge Bernard
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