Liona boyd: A life of love and music
‘First lady of guitar’ will be in concert Friday at First United Church
In her early teens, Liona boyd took in a concert that changed her life.
Her mother took her to hear Julian bream, a classical guitarist and lutenist and it had such an impact, boyd decided she wanted to be a musician.
The goal met, she’s been playing for audiences around the world and has become known as “Canada’s First Lady of the Guitar.”
On Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., she will perform at First United Church in Truro
“It’s years since I’ve been to Truro,” she said from her home in Toronto. “I told my agent I wanted to go back to the Maritimes. I think this will be my last tour.”
boyd got her first guitar at 13, as a Christmas gift. Although she enjoyed classical music from a young age, she also enjoyed popular singers.
“I was a child of the sixties and grew up listening to Joan baez, bob dylan, The Rolling Stones and the beatles, but I was trained strictly classical,” she said.
Years after becoming a renowned classical guitarist she studied singing. Her concerts include her own songs, as well as spoken poetry.
“I have a Spanish-style house in Palm beach I spend a lot of the winter at, and I do a lot of writing there,” said boyd. It’s there she recorded her audio book, No Remedy for Love.
Unfortunately, it was there she also broke a shoulder and knee when she fell in her garage, and had to be airlifted back to Toronto.
“I was very grateful I didn’t injure my hands,” she said.
While in hospital she finished writing a song called “Lightfoot,” a number on the “No Remedy for Love” album, dedicated to longtime friend Gordon Lightfoot.
Another song from the album, “Love of the Horse,” is dedicated to her friend Prince Philip. Their friendship began more than 30 years ago when Pierre Trudeau, who she was dating at the time, invited her to play at a private dinner for Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth. That led to a Royal Command performance in Edinburgh and ongoing correspondence.
“I went to Windsor in March to play him the song and he loved it,” she said. “He hadn’t heard me sing before.”
during her Nova Scotia performances – one in Lunenburg and the one in Truro – she will be joined on stage by Andrew dolson.
“Audiences go nuts for him,” she said. “His voice is fantastic and he’s an amazing classical guitar player with the looks of a model.”
boyd hopes to see a lot of young people at the show.
“It’s important for parents to bring children to concerts,” she said. “They might not become musicians but one exposure can change a life.”
Tickets to the Truro concert are $30 in advance, $40 at the door and $10 for students. They can be purchased at First United Church office weekdays from 8:30 a.m.- noon and 1-3:30 p.m. For more information call 902-895-8098.