Linda McRae will perform in concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 16, at Gallery 2 (formerly Grand Forks Art Gallery), 524 Central Ave at 5th Street in Grand Forks.

McRae is a Canadian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who earned two platinum and three gold records during her tenure as bassist/accordionist with Spirit of the West.

She left the band to resume her solo career and has since released three critically acclaimed recordings. Flying Jenny, produced by Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Emmy Lou Harris), Cryin’ Out Loud, produced by Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Mary Gauthier) and Linda’s current release Carve It To The Heart, produced by Linda and Marc L’Esperance (Po’ Girl, Be Good Tanyas) have all received the highest praise from reviewers world-wide.

In recent years McRae has turned her attention to the study of traditional roots music, its history and its traditions, studying acoustic blues guitar with Juno winner Ken Hamm, clawhammer banjo with leading authority Brad Leftwich, and songwriting with Grammy-winning songwriter Jon Vezner.

Her most recent work illustrates this dedication; each aspect has become an integral part of her songwriting and live performance. Her evocative and powerful voice is well supported by her acoustic finger-style and flat-picked rhythm guitar, accordion, clawhammer banjo, dulcimer and Porchboard bass.

McRae is a compelling entertainer, and her personality and storytelling add an intimacy to her shows. Her busy tour schedule reflects her love of performing – she completed 200 shows last year alone. Linda also writes a monthly column for BC Musician Magazine.

Tickets for the Linda McRae concert (limited to 60) are available at Gallery 2 (Grand Forks Art Gallery): $12 for Gallery 2 members or $15 for non-members. To reserve your tickets, please call Gallery 2 at 250-442-2211. For more information about this concert, call Kim or Zak at 250-442-3854.