Linda Dewar
Linda Dewar's rich voice, distinctive guitar styling, and engaging stage presence have made her a popular and familiar favorite among fans at ceilidhs, Burns nights and festivals throughout the western United States. In 2006, she moved from California to rural Perthshire in Scotland, where she continues to perform for enthusiastic audiences.
Linda grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a talented singer, her uncle played the violin, and her aunt, a cellist, was the first woman ever to become a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her grandmother was an accomplished pianist who worked for a time as a sheet music demonstrator.
While in school, Linda began working toward a career in classical music, majoring in choral conducting in college. Her ties to folk and traditional music were strong, though, and she continued to perform first with "The Ordeal" (sadly, a fairly descriptive name), and later with "The Wayfarers" a popular local folk group.
In the late 1980's, Linda was re-introduced to the traditional music of her Scottish ancestors and found her musical "home." She spent several years performing as half of the duo "Dewar & McLean" before moving on to a solo career.
Today, Linda's repertoire includes both contemporary and traditional Scottish, Irish and American songs, from lyrical ballads to spirited, toe-tapping favorites. She is equally at home before an audience of a thousand at a festival concert or a group of three in a retirement community rec room.
A concert or festival performance by Linda Dewar includes much more than just a selection of songs. Linda involves her audience, engaging them in conversation and encouraging them to sing and clap along. She shares the stories of her songs; what they're about, who wrote them, and the people or events that inspired them. Here is a small sample of the venues where Linda has performed:
IN THE USA:
Loch Prado Scottish Gathering & Games, Chino, CA
Brothers of St. Patrick Family Festival, Midway City, CA
San Diego Scottish Highland Games, Vista, CA
Klamath Basin Scottish Festival & Games, Klamath Falls, OR
Seaside Highland Games, Ventura, CA
Celtic Arts Center, Los Angeles, CA
Gallagher's Irish Restaurant, Sacramento, CA
Buchanan Arms Restaurant, Burbank, CA
St. Andrews Society of Los Angeles (Burns Supper, Tartan Day)
IN SCOTLAND:
Folk Nights at the Watermill, Aberfeldy
The Fountain Pub, Aberfeldy
Weekly Ceilidhs at the Weem Hotel, Weem
Ceilidh Dance, Regent Hotel, Oban
The Ballinluig Inn, Ballinluig (as a guest of Gaberlunzie)
Although Linda usually performs as a solo, you never know who will turn up to play with her--or who may invite her up to join in for a song or two. She has shared the stage with Scottish fiddler John Taylor, Donnie Macdonald and James Keigher of Men of Worth, singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Mark Romano, bassist Glenn Cornick, Alex Beaton and the Browne Sisters, among others.