London Times
LONDON TIMES (SUNDAY EDITION
Sunday Times, 1st April

A Scots singersongwriter and violinist
Relatively unknown in Scotland, Laura McGhee, 25, has began create waves 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
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, want to play music that makes people happy." she said.
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.
I've been using crossover of traditional music mixed with rockier beats" 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.