Biography

Contact information:
Janet McGarry - (902) 569-3864
jrmcgarry@islandtelecom.com
www.janetmcgarry.com


“Forever is the Love” was released in July 2017 and is the 12th recording by Janet McGarry from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

“Forever is the Love” is available from www.janetmcgarry.com, digital download at cdbaby.com and anywhere we play.

Produced, Arranged, Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Serge Bernard @ Hilltop Studio, 5 Edies Way, Stratford, PEI C1B 0J7
“Sea of Galilee” Engineered by Wes Easter, Eastwood Recording Studio, Cana, VA
Troy Engle & Jamie Graves Tracks Recorded and Engineered by Troy Engle, Acoustic Overdubs, Glen Rock, PA
All other tracks recorded by Serge Bernard @ Hilltop Studio

Musicians:
Janet McGarry: Lead Vocals
Serge Bernard: Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Harmony Vocals
Meaghan Blanchard: Harmony Vocals
Heather Berry: Autoharp & Harmony Vocal on “Sea of Galilee”
Tony Mabe: Guitar & Harmony Vocals on “Sea of Galilee”
Troy Engle: Fiddle(s), Mandolin, Guitar, Steel Guitar, Dobro, Drums
Jamie Graves: Piano on “Say Forever You’ll be Mine”, “Long as We’re Dreaming” and “Dreaming My Dreams with You”


A WORD ABOUT THE PROJECT

It’s hard to believe that it was 2014 when we last recorded. Time sure does fly by, and in the time since then till now, we’ve listened to many, many songs – new, old, original, gospel, secular – and narrowed our choices down to these fourteen songs. I sure hope you will find them to your liking!

I say “we” as this is totally a team effort for my husband Serge Bernard and me. As with everything we do, we work on it together. I grew up listening to country music (and he on bluegrass music) so it’s no surprise that I’ve delved into the country side of things for songs by artists such as Melba Montgomery, Wilma Lee Cooper and Dolly Parton. But there are many standard bluegrass songs for the bluegrass lover too. Songs by Jim & Jesse, Ralph Stanley, The Carter Family and one of my musical heros – Hazel Dickens. I also have two original selections - one from my dear friend Louisa Branscomb, and one from J. P. Cormier. These are two great songs from very talented songwriters and I am happy to have them included here.

We want to thank the people who are part of this team, and have shared their talents on this project. Troy Engle – a super talented guy and dear friend – thank you so much! Jamie Graves – awesome piano tracks! Meaghan Blanchard, you are truly gifted, and thank you again for adding your voice in harmony. Thank you to Louise Vessey for her fantastic camera work and creativity with my graphics, and to our dear friend, Jeanette Wakelin, who is always so supportive!

And to all our fans for your continued support! And to all the radio DJ’s for supporting our music and bringing it to your audiences. We appreciate you all so much!
“Forever is the Love” – a wonderful message to all.
Janet & Serge

THE SONGS:

1. Say Forever You’ll Be Mine 2:59
Songwriter: Dolly Parton
Publisher(s): Velvet Apple Music
Harmony Vocal: Serge Bernard
This song resurfaced to my mind as we watched Dolly’s “Coat of Many Colors” Christmas show. This one I’m particularly fond of for its realistic, positive message, and it’s become a crowd favorite.

2. When the Bluegrass is Covered with Snow 2:37
Songwriter: Tip Sharp
Publisher(s): Fayette Music
Harmony Vocal: Meaghan Blanchard, Serge Bernard
I have to give credit to the bluegrass band "The Boxcars" for introducing me to this great song and so glad they didn’t mind that I cut it too.

3.The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn 3:30
Songwriter: Ralph Stanley
Publisher: Trio Music Co. Inc. / Fort Knox Music Inc.
I've always been drawn to this song by the late, great Ralph Stanley; it is so meaningful. It's a great message of hope – just when things seem to be at their worst, something will change to make a positive effect on you and start to move you forward, as when the dawn brings us out of the darkness of night.

4. Sea of Galilee 3:06
Songwriter: A. P. Carter
Publisher: Public Domain
Harmony Vocals: Heather Berry-Mabe & Tony Mabe
I was delighted to have our wonderful friends Heather and Tony join me on this great Carter Family Classic. They added just the right touch!

5. Back Up and Turn Around 2:22
Songwriter(s): Melba Montgomery & Verlon Thompson
Publisher: Caroljac Music
Harmony Vocals: Serge Bernard
Upon first listen, I didn’t know this was a gospel song, but when you listen to the words, they’re so meaningful. If you’re not headed in the right direction, back up and turn around. Makes good sense.

6. There’s a Big Wheel 2:57
Songwriter: Don Gibson
Publisher: Acuff-Rose Music Publishing Inc.
Harmony Vocals: Meaghan Blanchard, Serge Bernard
I’ve long been a fan of Wilma Lee Cooper and chose this song to honor her!

7. A Few Old Memories 3:58
Songwriter: Hazel Dickens
Publisher: Happy Valley Music
Harmony Vocal: Meaghan Blanchard, Serge Bernard
My dear friend, Hazel, how we miss you! Serge and I will always cherish the precious time we spent with you during your last trip to IBMA in 2010. I miss our long chats!

8. Blue Bonnet Lane 2:38
Songwriter: Cindy Walker
Publisher: MESA Music
Harmony Vocals: Serge Bernard
This song is beautiful in its simplicity, and always fun to sing!

9. Long as We’re Dreaming 3:33
Songwriter: Earl Montgomery
Publisher: Glad Music Company
Harmony Vocals: Serge Bernard
Serge and I were listening to a local radio phone-in show one Saturday night when someone called in and requested this song by George Jones and Melba Montgomery. We both just looked at each other and said “wow – what a great song” so that’s how it ended up on the cd.

10. This Side of Heaven 4:14
Songwriter: Louisa Branscomb
Publisher: Millwheel Music (BMI)
Harmony Vocals: Meaghan Blanchard, Serge Bernard
Louisa Branscomb has become one of our dearest friends, and we share music back and forth quite often. This song was written just before a tornado passed through her farm
and caused extensive damage. Through hard work and perseverance, she rebuilt. This song tells that story, although she didn’t know it at the time.

11. Silver and Gold 3:55
Songwriter: Carl Perkins, Greg Perkins, Stan Perkins
Publisher: Brick Hithouse Music
Harmony Vocals: Serge Bernard
I thought this was another great song written by Dolly Parton, and was somewhat surprised to find out that the “Perkins” brothers wrote it. It has a great message.

12. Dreaming My Dreams with You 4:06
Songwriter: Allen Reynolds
Publisher: Jack Music Inc
Harmony Vocals: Serge Bernard
I was familiar with this song from a Waylon Jennings recording. Come to find out it was recorded by several people. It’s a beautiful song of loneliness and regret for what could have been, and hope that love is still possible.

13. Will You Love Me in Heaven 4:58
Songwriter: JP Cormier
Publisher: Flash Publishing (Socan)
Harmony Vocals: Serge Bernard
This is a song of unrequited love and eternal questions one would ask themselves in such situations, beautifully written from the great pen of JP Cormier.

14. Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone 4:52
Songwriter: A. P. Carter
Publisher: Public Domain
Harmony Vocals: Meaghan Blanchard, Serge Bernard
This is another great Carter Family song that we’ve been doing live, and have had many requests for a recorded version. We hope you enjoy our take on it.


JANET MCGARRY BIOGRAPHY

Janet's voice has been described as passionate, powerful and full of emotion. For fifteen plus years, Janet McGarry has continued to be a dominant presence in bluegrass music, both at home and abroad. She has shared stages with some of the most revered performers of this genre, and of her time. With the release of “Forever is the Love” she now has twelve albums to her credit. Each have earned her awards, accolades, and much deserved respect from the music industry. Among her most significant career accolades, Janet is a "Daughter of Bluegrass", which is a leading group of female bluegrass artists. Janet appears as a leading artist on the cd "Bluegrass Bouquet", the group's third collaboration on Blue Circle Records. Janet also appears on the Box Set of the "Daughters of Bluegrass" project called "Pickin' Like a Girl". Janet is also a five-time "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards, the industry's highest accolade in Eastern Canada.

Coming from a musical family, her father, Peter, and brother, Raymond involved her in the local music scene as soon as they discovered her love of performing to audiences. Performing before live audiences in little country halls during those early years provided Janet with a strong passion to sing. These were the building blocks that led her to share her love of music and simply sing what was in her heart.

Encouraged by fans and friends she met along the way, she recorded her first cd in the year 2000, which was a collection of bluegrass songs from her idols, and new material penned by local songwriters. That same year, she met her long-time idol, Hazel Dickens, at IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association), in Louisville, KY. Janet found a treasured friend and mentor in Hazel. In her lyrics, Janet found words to live by and she would be compelled to include one of Hazel's songs in each of her recordings.

Winding forward through the years, Janet forged wonderful friendships with her peers in the industry across the miles. Her dearest ones, by far, are her fans. Janet remembers every sign of affection, stories shared, tears shed, and carries each and every one of her fans in her heart. It is what is heard in her voice; an understanding, a remembering. Her voice is centred and rooted in her heart, which is perhaps why she is so often recognized for having an honest and crystal clear voice, drawing comparisons with some of the most soulful voices of our time.

On each of her albums, Janet stays true to the qualities that make her albums unique, and while branching out musically and exploring new sounds from time to time, the essential elements remain the same. Janet has also appeared on the compilation cd "Bluegrass Bands / Helping Hands © 2009".

One might say that Janet has come full circle. In many ways, she's travelled far distances while staying close to home. She enjoys singing to audiences great and small, young and old, as much today as in those early days, and most of all, enjoys the people she meets along the way. Her love of singing has been a gift she continues to share with those around her. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself after a show or concert - she'd love to meet you!


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
DAUGHTER OF BLUEGRASS - 2009

EASTERN CANADA BLUEGRASS AWARDS
Female Vocalist of the Year 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
Master Female Vocalist - 2007

EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS for:
Bluegrass Artist of the Year 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008

PEI MUSIC AWARDS
Country/Bluegrass Artist of the Year 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004

Bluegrass Recording of the Year 2003

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year 2003 w/ Serge Bernard "Looking Toward Sunrise"

Song of the Year 2003 w/ Serge Bernard "Looking Toward Sunrise"
Female Vocalist of the Year 2004