Best of Times

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 'the best of times' is another 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 it's 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 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 first 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 invita