Claire Lynch
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| Claire Lynch | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kingston, New York, United States |
| Genre(s) | Bluegrass, Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1973—present |
| Label(s) | Rounder Records |
| Website | ClaireLynch.com |
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.
Lynch and her family lived in Kingston, New York until the age of 12, when the family moved to Hazel Green, Alabama.[1] 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 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 1997's 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.[citation needed] Their last recording effort was on Lynch's 2000 solo CD on Rounder, Love Light, a collection more-than-half-comprised of 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.
In August 2007, Lynch was nominated IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year; the awards ceremony will be held in October 2007.
Claire Lynch was married to Celtic music mandolinist Larry Lynch. date=August 2007
Citations include: http://www.clairelynch.com/bios/index.html
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