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Who is Eileen McGann?
Eileen onstage shaker
  • one of North America's finest contemporary songwriters
  • an outstanding singer of the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, England and Canada
  • an Irish Canadian, born in Canada to Irish parents
  • a resident of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada 
  • a seasoned touring performer, and workshop leader
  • a Juno and CFMA-nominated recording artist
  • an award-winning visual artist

"One of the finest singers, songwriters, 
and interpreters of traditional music on either side of the Atlantic." 
- The Music Hound Guide to Folk

 

SONGWRITER

Lyrics that challenge, stimulate and inspire, combined with melodies that soar make Eileen McGann one of Canada’s finest songwriters.  From award-winning environmental anthems and stark social commentary to side-splitting political satire, McGann's is a strong voice for justice and the earth.  While clearly connected to the Celtic tradition, her songs also tackle the challenges and contradictions of modern life, the journeys of the human spirit, and the beauty and fragility of the Canadian wilderness.

 

TRADITIONAL SINGER

As a singer of the music of the Celtic nations, Eileen McGann holds standing invitations at some of Britain’s most traditional festivals.  As song-finder, song-interpreter and keeper of the spirit of our ancient and modern traditions,  McGann often finds songs that have not been heard for many years and shows todays  audiences that ancient songs still have power to move and enchant. 

RECORDING ARTIST

Eileen McGann's recordings are consistently given five-star ratings by reviewers on both sides of the Atlantic - they are among the highest rated in the huge “Music Hound Guide to Folk Music”.  Each of her solo albums has appeared on numerous “top ten” lists, and they continue to receive strong airplay on folk radio around the world.  Her CD "Beyond The Storm", was nominated for a 2002 JUNO Award as "Best Roots & Traditional Recording" and her "Pocketful of Rhymes" CD brought her a 2011 CFMA nomination as "Traditional Singer of the Year".

IN  PERFORMANCE

Dynamic and vibrant on stage, Eileen McGann's performances are full of laughter, stories and shared voices.  With a singing voice of breathtaking beauty, a compelling guitar style and arrangements that grab the ear and the heart, her live shows are riveting, enthralling - and interactive.  Delighting audiences from coast to coast across North America and Great Britain, she has been called "one of Canada's most distinguished cultural exports" .

 

 

2002 Juno nominee Eileen McGann is widely acclaimed as one of the best contemporary Canadian songwriters, as well as one of the finest Celtic traditional singers anywhere.  Add to this a dynamic performance style, an infectious sense of humour and a singing voice variously described as "magnificent", "stunning" and "hauntingly beautiful", and you have an artist not to be missed.

     Her songs paint pictures, tell stories and poke fun at life's absurdities. A strong environmental and social sensibility pervades much of her writing and her choice of traditional material ranges from ancient ballads to rollicking songs of love and adventure.

     Eileen has released seven solo recordings, all of which have received international five-star reviews. Her 2002 CD “Beyond The Storm” is a stunning collection of songs old and very new, and was nominated for a 2002 Juno Award for “Best Album: Roots & Traditional.”

     Soaring vocals, insightful lyrics and a powerful ability to make both her own and traditional songs come alive for audiences: these qualities have made Eileen McGann a mainstay at festivals across Canada, the US and Great Britain for almost two decades. Eileen tours with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist sideman David K., on Irish bouzouki, bass, National tri-cone and harmony vocals.

    Her live performances have been featured on national radio programs in Britain, Canada and the U.S., including CBC's "Morningside" and "Gabereau", NPR's "Mountain Stage", and "River City Folk"; a BBC Radio International broadcast from the mainstage of the prestigious Cambridge Festival, and a BBC2 National broadcast from the Sidmouth International Festival.She has played the major folk festivals across Canada and Great Britain as well as Philadelphia and other U.S. Festivals.


Where has she been? 
Click here for selected list of Venues Played