Laura McGhee performing "July" Live in New York at The Knitting Factory 07.
Twenty five year old Laura, was brought up with Celtic roots background winning many traditional awards from age of 12. She graduated in classical violin from RSAMD. Laura then graduated to writing and developing her own unique folk roots sound. Along the way she arranged strings for artists such as Ian McCulloch (Echo And The Bunnymen), who recommended her for the Broadway production of Matt McGinn Tribute starring folk legend Pete Seeger. Laura then provided fiddle for Shane MacGowan (The Pogues) on his 2005 UK hit "Road To Paradise" and joined Shane on stage at the Glasgow Barrowlands for a rendition of his classic "Fairytale of New York. In between times
Laura's download single "Hail Caledonia" charted in the UK download only charts. Laura has just released her debut album 'Green Eyes' in March 2006.
www.myspace/lauramcghee
www.lauramcghee.com
www.roots2thefuture.com
Sunday Times, 1st April
Folk Chick lined up for US triumph
A Scots singer and violinist is to be groomed for stardom by the Grammy Award-winning songwriter behind the country group the Dixie Chicks.
Relatively unknown in Scotland, Laura McGhee, 25, has attracted a huge following in America, where she has played to sellout crowds.
The Monifieth-born folk/rock artist has attracted the attention of Jim Lauderdale, who has penned some of the bestselling tracks by the Dixie Chicks, America's biggest selling female band. The trio from Texas has sold more than 30m albums.
McGhee, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of the Scots singer-songwriter KT Tunstall by cracking the American music market, already counts the US tycoon Donald Trump, Alex Ferguson and the Irish music legend Shane MacGowan among her celebrity fans.
McGhee accompanied Lauderdale during a folk showcase event in the American south earlier this year, and is due to record with him in Nashville, the home of American country music, later this year.
"Jim really liked my music and was keen to work with me and do some co-writing" she said. "It is a real honour, as Jim is a huge figure in American music and he has written for the Dixie Chicks, who are enormous in the States, I am hoping to build up a large fan base and crack America, and I hope this will help me."
McGhee added that she was inspired by Tunstall's success. "KT has done incredibly well and is a great example for Scots looking to break America." She said. "It is great that one of her songs was featured in the film "The Devil Wears Prada", and whenever you go into a coffee shop in America, KT seems to be on in the background."
Lauderdale, who has worked with music stars including the English blues singer John Mayall and the country singer Patty Loveless, is convinced McGhee has the potential to become a huge star in America.
"I first became aware of Laura after her manager gave me a CD of hers at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow". He said "From that, I invited her to perform with me in Memphis, and we have taken things from there."
Her debut album, Green Eyes, has already received widespread radio play and critical plaudits across the Atlantic. "I am getting a lot of support, particularly in the south and Tennessee, which is fantastic", she said. "There seems to be an affinity between traditional Scottish and American music, and audiences really seem to be picking up on that".
One of McGhee's tracks has been included on a charity CD compiled by the American chat show host Montel Williams. "It is for people with multiple sclerosis", and I'm delighted to be part of its success", she said.
The violinist is now looking forward to playing in New York during Tartan Week later this month, which will be her third consecutive performance at the event.
Among the audience last year was Trump, who has invited McGhee to perform at the opening of his new golf complex in Aberdeenshire. "He said 'You're fantastic -- this is what I've been looking for' "she said "he liked the crossover of traditional music mixed with rockier beats"
Later this year, she hopes to record with her fellow Scots violinist Nicola Benedetti. "What we do is completely different, but she is incredibly talented" said McGhee. "It would be great to work with her and do a duet, and I hope that will be happening in the near future, and we can get something definite organised". Despite her admiration for Benedetti, McGhee's biggest musical hero is the veteran country singer Dolly Parton.
"Dolly is a great song-writer, but she doesn't take herself too seriously -- and neither do I. I would love to work with her one day. I think we both want to play music that makes people happy." she said.
(Less)
Video details
