Claire Lynch
Encyclopedia
Claire Lynch is an American
bluegrass
singer, songwriter
, and session vocalist who joined her first band, then called Hickory Wind, in 1973. After changing its name to the Front Porch String Band, the group worked regularly throughout the Southeast over the next several years, becoming fan favorites on the strength of its open-minded musical approach and lead singer.
until the age of 12, when the family moved to Hazel Green, Alabama
.http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/lynch_claire/bio.jhtml
By 1981, despite a handful of well-received albums (including Lynch's first solo effort, Breakin' It) and increasing word-of-mouth, the band had tired of the grind and called it quits. A decade
would pass before the band re-grouped, but Lynch put the time to good use. In addition to raising a family
, she launched dual careers as a songwriter (her songs have been recorded by Patty Loveless
, the Seldom Scene, Kathy Mattea
, the Whites
and Stephanie Davis) and as a session vocalist. Her harmonies have been on albums by such leading artists as Loveless, Emmylou Harris
, Dolly Parton
, Linda Ronstadt
, Pam Tillis
, Kathy Mattea, John Starling and Ralph Stanley
.
A re-energized Front Porch String Band with Claire, her husband Larry Lynch on mandolin/fiddle, Herb Trotman on banjo and Andy Meginniss on bass roared back onto the scene with their 1991 album, Lines and Traces. The success of that album and of the band led to Claire's second solo album, Friends for a Lifetime in 1993. Next came the Grammy-nominated Moonlighter in 1995, followed by 1997s Silver and Gold, which also received a Grammy nomination.
During the next several years on the fast-track, the Front Porch String Band evolved into one of the sharpest, most exciting post-modern bluegrass bands on the circuit. Their last recording effort was on Lynch's 2000 solo CD on Rounder, Love Light, of which more than half the tracks are original Claire Lynch songs.
In addition to her two Grammy nominations, Lynch has had extended stays in the top reaches of the Gavin Americana and Bluegrass Unlimited charts, and received an IBMA award for "Female Vocalist of the Year" (1997).
Since 2005, Lynch has been touring and recording with former FPSB bandmates Jim Hurst and Missy Raines
, plus Dave Harvey under the name "The Claire Lynch Band". Lynch's 2006 Rounder release, "New Day," was named #2 in Bluegrass Now magazine's Top Ten Albums of the Year chart.
In April, 2007, fiddler/mandolinist Jason Thomas joined The Claire Lynch Band, replacing Dave Harvey.
In May, 2007, The Claire Lynch Band undertook its first-ever European tour and was the first-ever bluegrass band to perform a concert in a German Opera House, the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater in Oldenburg, Northern Germany.
Citations include: http://www.clairelynch.com/bios/index.html
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and session vocalist who joined her first band, then called Hickory Wind, in 1973. After changing its name to the Front Porch String Band, the group worked regularly throughout the Southeast over the next several years, becoming fan favorites on the strength of its open-minded musical approach and lead singer.
Biography
Lynch and her family lived in Kingston, New YorkKingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
until the age of 12, when the family moved to Hazel Green, Alabama
Hazel Green, Alabama
Hazel Green is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Madison County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the community is 3,630.-History:...
.http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/lynch_claire/bio.jhtml
By 1981, despite a handful of well-received albums (including Lynch's first solo effort, Breakin' It) and increasing word-of-mouth, the band had tired of the grind and called it quits. A decade
Decade
A decade is a period of 10 years. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek dekas which means ten. This etymology is sometime confused with the Latin decas and dies , which is not correct....
would pass before the band re-grouped, but Lynch put the time to good use. In addition to raising a family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
, she launched dual careers as a songwriter (her songs have been recorded by Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless , is an American country music singer.Since her emergence on the country music scene in late 1986 with her first album, Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and...
, the Seldom Scene, Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea
Kathleen Alice "Kathy" Mattea is an American country music and bluegrass performer who often brings folk, Celtic and traditional country sounds to her music. Active since 1983 as a recording artist, she has recorded seventeen albums and has charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot...
, the Whites
The Whites
The Whites is an American country music vocal group consisting of lead singer Sharon White, her sister Cheryl , and their father Buck...
and Stephanie Davis) and as a session vocalist. Her harmonies have been on albums by such leading artists as Loveless, Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Pam Tillis
Pam Tillis
Pamela Yvonne "Pam" Tillis is an American country music singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis....
, Kathy Mattea, John Starling and Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley , also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley, is an American bluegrass artist, known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing.-Biography:...
.
A re-energized Front Porch String Band with Claire, her husband Larry Lynch on mandolin/fiddle, Herb Trotman on banjo and Andy Meginniss on bass roared back onto the scene with their 1991 album, Lines and Traces. The success of that album and of the band led to Claire's second solo album, Friends for a Lifetime in 1993. Next came the Grammy-nominated Moonlighter in 1995, followed by 1997s Silver and Gold, which also received a Grammy nomination.
During the next several years on the fast-track, the Front Porch String Band evolved into one of the sharpest, most exciting post-modern bluegrass bands on the circuit. Their last recording effort was on Lynch's 2000 solo CD on Rounder, Love Light, of which more than half the tracks are original Claire Lynch songs.
In addition to her two Grammy nominations, Lynch has had extended stays in the top reaches of the Gavin Americana and Bluegrass Unlimited charts, and received an IBMA award for "Female Vocalist of the Year" (1997).
Since 2005, Lynch has been touring and recording with former FPSB bandmates Jim Hurst and Missy Raines
Missy Raines
Missy Raines is a bassist. She has achieved acclaim in the world of bluegrass, including seven International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year awards...
, plus Dave Harvey under the name "The Claire Lynch Band". Lynch's 2006 Rounder release, "New Day," was named #2 in Bluegrass Now magazine's Top Ten Albums of the Year chart.
In April, 2007, fiddler/mandolinist Jason Thomas joined The Claire Lynch Band, replacing Dave Harvey.
In May, 2007, The Claire Lynch Band undertook its first-ever European tour and was the first-ever bluegrass band to perform a concert in a German Opera House, the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater in Oldenburg, Northern Germany.
Citations include: http://www.clairelynch.com/bios/index.html