Singer/songwriter Linda McRae, recently inducted into the 2016 B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, will perform at the GEM Theatre this month.
Linda McRae is a Canadian, U.S. based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Performing on banjo, guitar and accordion, her warm voice, unforgettable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, make McRae a captivating and sought-after artist.
She has been inducted into the 2016 BC Entertainment Hall of Fame as a “Pioneer” inductee.
The Pioneer inductees are those who have left an indelible mark on BC’s entertainment landscape.
She has performed in venues as diverse as Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre and New Folsom Prison, where she performs and facilitates writing workshops for the inmates. These experiences lead to the creation of her Express Yourself Writing Workshops currently being presented in detox centres, alternative schools, and youth and adult correctional facilities across North America.
After answering a call to host a song-writing workshop at New Folsom in 2011, McRae and her husband, James Whitmire, were moved to develop song-writing workshops for at-risk youth – to try and prevent them from ending up behind bars in the first place. Her new, Steve Dawson-produced album, Shadow Trails, is inspired by that work.
Though perhaps best-known for her eight-year tenure as a member of the platinum-selling band Spirit of the West, McRae had already raised a daughter and performed for more than 10 years with west coast punk and roots outfits before joining Spirit.
Producer Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Emmy Lou Harris, Alison Krauss/Robert Plant, Bob Dylan ) says of Linda McRae: “When all the trends fade and become dated, and all the music from the cutting edge becomes dull, Linda McRae will continue to stand tall, singing and playing music with honest soul and humility, cutting through the fog with her timeless clarity. Linda is one of the true, soulful pioneers of honest roots music. Her singing and playing brings honor to her heroes and to her friends and fans.”
McRae will host an afternoon songwriting workshop from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Christina Lake Welcome Centre on Sunday, Aug. 21.
The workshop is $25 and open to ages 12+ and anyone who wants to write. Bring a pen or pencil and if you play, your instrument of choice.
McRae will take to the stage for an all-ages performance at the GEM, also on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.
Advance tickets are $20 per person or $50 per family; tickets at the door are $25 each.
