Musician, Songwriter, Company Director and Project Executive are all words which aptly describe Linda Welby, however on meeting this artist in person there is even more to learn about this extraordinary person that is now attracting the attention of media broadcasters up and down the country.
A native of Loughrea Linda, a young mother of eight children, now resides in Roscahill, Co. Galway. Her new album 'A Story to Tell' is a collection of contemporary songs and music all written and composed by herself. Linda Welby has a very defined vision of where she is going and what is important to her in life.
As a composer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and singer, music has always been at the forefront for Linda. Linda's grandfather Paddy Doorhy was an accomplished fiddle player and played with the first Ballinakill ceili band. Linda's Dad, also Paddy Doorhy, played drums and toured extensively with many bands and noted musicians. Linda gets her musical inspiration from her dad, whom she regards as her hero, and has no hesitation in linking all her achievements back to this musical heritage. "My dad's a real inspiration to me".
Linda's career is driven by her passion for adventurous meaningful compositions and in pursuing this passion her musicianship and mastery of arrangement are broadly appreciated in the music industry. Linda has always kept her head and her heart despite her consistent rise and has no need for elaborate vocal embellishments to get her message across. Linda's cool, clear, soulful voice has always worn its emotions in the open. Writing is also something that Linda has been doing for years "I was always a poetry writer and always loved words, even from a young age. So writing my own album came naturally".
Linda's other business interests include being an active board member of a well known private tourism company as well as being a qualified transport operator with a full CPC licence. Also as a project manager of a Connemara Holiday Cottages Operation Linda is actively involved in many tourism related activities including driving busloads of tourists in her luxury tourist coach. Linda, for many years, has had the uncanny ability of being able to very successfully manage raising a family, co-ordinating several work projects as well as dedicating time to continued education. It has to be asked, with eight children ranging in ages from twenty to seven, a day and night job and the launching of a CD, just how does Linda find the time? "When I had three kids I wondered how I would ever cope, I was absolutely run off my feet, but it seemed to get easier as time went on. That's how it seemed to me anyway. I don't think I'm that busy," she laughs.
Linda's pure interest in people is clearly evident in her very approachable and friendly manner. "I sing and play because I love it and I do feel that any success that I have had has not changed me as a person. I like to keep things as normal as possible in my life because that is just the way I am". Sheer simplicity is what keeps this fun-loving and very independent free spirit happiest. "My songs tell a story of real people in real times, stories that can be true for a lot of people not just me, I believe that is why people of all ages connect with them"
The phenominal success of her single release "The Galway Fiddler" has surpassed all expectations with regular airplays on Irish radio stations throughout the country, north and south, as well as BBC Wales, BBC Oxford, BBC Manchester and also some radio stations in Canada and New York. For Linda it is a dream coming true, culminating in the nationwide release of her first solo CD on September 12th.
To radio listeners across the country as well as her legions of new fans, Linda Welby is fast becoming a superstar while at home in Roscahill she has never changed from being the down-to-earth affable and hardworking wife and mother. She has achieved the longest run by any artist of twenty two continuous weeks, as well as remaining at number one for eighteen weeks, in a major radio station record charts where listener requests dictate the content of the charts. Probably her crowning achievement so far is her recent visit to the USA to host a television show in a major Nashville television station which will be shown live on the internet worldwide, as well as radio interviews and three very successful live concerts. This coupled with her acceptance of an invitation to meet her life-long idol Pat Boone in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles really made this trip a memorable occasion.
In recent times, Linda has had numerous successes with interviews on 32 Irish Radio Stations, 5 in Northern Ireland including two with the renowned Gerry Anderson on Radio Foyle and 6 in mainland UK, extensive Radio airplay on most Irish radio stations including RTE 1, Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle in Northern Ireland and many stations in the UK, Canada and the USA. She recently featured on RTE Nationwide Television and won the award for Best Female Artist of 2008 on West Limerick Radio. Linda is a multi-instrumentalist playing Fiddle, Whistles, Accordion, Keyboards, Banjo and Drums
Linda, with her band COIS TINE which includes singer/guitarist, Peggy Higgins, still finds time to perform on the local music circuit and is already well known throughout the west of Ireland, as well as taking part in festivals all over the country and abroad.
Celtic Radio Comments:
Linda Welby has brought together a beautiful mix of songs and melodies that will surely enchant you with her wondereous and exceptional voice. She has been described as an Emmy Lou Harris or Joan Collins. Contained in the album are songs that draw on Linda's life experiences and also display her musical talent of the fiddle - such as "The Galway Fiddler" and "Port Cait Dan (Jig)" - Five golden radio stars for a beautiful album, beautiful songs and a beautiful person!
