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Laura's Biography

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Scottish / americana singer/songwriter/ fiddler/guitarist raised on Celtic roots, folk and country music, has been hailed by the London Times as the "Musical Heroine of the Y Generation." She first hit the American roots scene while performing with Pete Seeger in New York . Since that time, she has performed with the great Odetta, and with Ricky Skaggs, Jim Lauderdale, the Pogues & Shane McGowan, Oscar Brand, Ian Hunter, Josh White, Jr., David Amram,Runrig,Her album Celticana (recorded in Nashville) has garnered rave reviews and strong airplay on both sides of the ocean and stayed for ten solid weeks on the Americana Top 40 Chartfrom May to July this year (unprecedented for a Scottish artist), in addition to Top 40 on Cashbox USA her 911 Tribute "Commemoration” reached # 2 on the UK Indie Charts, while her recording of "Road To Paradise" with Shane MacGowan reached # 16. In 2009, Laura was a featured artist on the BBC-TV's Award winning Scotland's Music; and again on the12/31/09 New Year's Eve BBC-TV Special about Robert Burns and his song "Auld Lang Syne." Her composition, "Arbroath Suite" is played all over the world every year on Celtic radio Tartan Day programs, and is being expanded into a large symphonic piece for orchestras in collaboration with the famed composer and conductor David Amram. Meanwhile, her multi-cultural anthem recording of "One Scotland," which she has taught to Scottish children in schools throughout the country, is now being considered as her alternative Scottish national anthem. Continuing with humanitarian efforts, Laura has been honored with appointments as: UK Youth Ambassador to the September
Concerts (formed with UNESCO, and with the support of Quincy Jones and Ravi Shankar to foster awareness and world peace hrough music concerts); Scottish Youth Ambassador of he Prince's Trust; and Youth Ambassador to the
British Memorial Gardens in New York (commemorating the UK
citizens lost in 9/11). Currently, Laura is based inNashville and touring America promoting the Celticana album, in addition to writing newmaterial in collaboration with some of Nashville’s most successful tunesmiths. On April 7th, Laura and the
Scottish Minister of Culture Fiona Hyslop co-hosted the Scottish Roots Celebration at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville , where she was joined on the performing stageby country music legends Jim Lauderdale, Rodney Crowell, Jack Clement and John C. Cash, and later presented the
Johnny Cash's family with the Scottish Heritage AwardIn July, Laura was seen and heard summeron the nationally broadcast radio and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.

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2002......Live charity event "Spirit Aid". Appeared with Capercaillie, Ian McCulloch & Echo and the Bunnymen, David Hayman, also arranged string quartet for artists and performed.

2003......Matt McGinn tribute concert in RSAMD. Performed with Shane MacGowan, Gary Lewis, David Hayman.

2003......Recorded charity single for Cancer Scotland, with Lisbon lions. the song "The Best Days of our lives". Charted at number 16 in UK charts. Appeared on Top of the pops with band.

2003.....Recorded another track for Cancer Scotland with Rod Stewart, Frankie Miller, and sang and arranged strings and solos featured on album.

2004.....Appeared on Broadway,Symphony Space with folk legend Pete Seeger, Phil Cunningham and Capercaillie at the Matt McGinn New York tribute on Tartan Day.USA
2004.....Did live radio and TV broadcast from New York about Tartan day.USA

2004....Guested on Lord of the Wing single with Shane MacGowan and Simple Minds.(single charted number 6 UK Indie charts )

2004.....Performed at film premiere of Lord of the Wing at SSEC Glasgow with Waterboys and Rolling Stones horn section,"Kick Horns".

2004......Performed at London, New York, and Dublin to raise funds for Jimmy Johnstone Motor Neurone charity.

2004......Appeared at Edinburgh Castles,Princes Gardens at Edinburgh International Festival for Big Issue benefit with Ibiza republic.

2005.....Performed live at Celtic Connections with Shane MacGowan at the Barrowlands, Glasgow.

2005.....Did solo performance at Celtic Connections show, with Irish star Brian Kennedy.

2005.....Played session on Runrig's new album.

2005.....Live appearance on Scottish Television, Scotsport in support of Tsunami appeal.

2005.....Guested on French TV sports programme, The Rivalry.France
2006..recorded and released debut album Green Eyes
2006.charted at number 12 in UK download only chart with Hail Caledonia
2006..Nokia Theater,NYC live with Runrig USA
2006 BBC Radio Scotland Fred MacAuly Show
2006 BBC Radio Scotland Janice Forsyth Show
2006..Scottish Fashion Awards Live,Scotland
2006..LA Fashion Week live USA
2007..performed at Canadian Music week,Canada
2007.. Red Gorilla Festival Austin Texas,USA
2007,,New Zealand TV with Hayley Westerna NYC,USA
2007..Austin TV live performance USA
2007..Knitting Factory New York in concert USA
2007.Odetta Tribute, West Virginia USA
2007.BMG NYC in concert USA
2007..Midpoint Indie Festival USA
2007..UK support tour with Runrig
2008 Nashville live coast to coast broadcast
2008 Started recording 2nd Album "Celticana" in Nashville at E Street
band Gary Talent's studio.
2008 various BBC appearances
2008 1st UK Tour
2008 OCFF Canada
2008 Play St Louis Indie Fest
2008 recorded BBC doctumentary "Auld Lang Syne" featuring
Jools Holland
2008 Radio Tay Hogmanay show
2009 Jan-May. Continuing recording of 2nd album "Ceticana" at
riverside Studio, Glasgow
2009 May - Capstone Project acoustic gig
2009 June Schools tour
2009 June "Ceticana" album release
2009 June Album Launch in Westport Dundee and Oran Mor Glasgow
2009 June...Album of the week on Celtic Music Radio
2009 July/August airplay on BBC radio
2009 August - performed at Edinburgh international fringe festival
2009 September - performed specially written piece "Commemoration" at Grosvenor Square in London for the memorial ceremony for 9/11 with American Ambassador and the Queen\'s Guards and the Bugles of the Rifles band
2009 September - performed at the 12th and Porter, Nashville TN
2009 - September - performed at the Tennessee State Fair
2009 - September - performed at the Bluebird Cafe, Nashville