Laura Vinson Interview

Laura Vinson is a Canadian Aboriginal singer/songwriter and film score composer. Born in Edmonton and raised in Brule, Alberta, she began her career as a country artist, heading up the band Red Wyng, which was signed under Canadian record producer R. Harlan Smith’s label, Royalty Records. She toured Europe numerous times as part of Smith’s Canadian Country Music All-Star Show, performing in Scandinavia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.  In 1991, Vinson formed the band Free Spirit and dedicated her music to telling stories about her own Métis heritage—which is Cherokee, Cree, English, and French. She continues to tour all over Canada and internationally, playing festivals with her band and performing her theatre show, inspired by her album, Voices On The Wind.

Career Highlights

Vinson released five LPs for Royalty Records: First Flight, High Fashion Queen, Hootch, Heartache and Hallelujah, Adios Mexico, Many Moons Ago, and The Spirit Sings.

In addition to her later solo recordings, Vinson also recorded duet singles with Chris Nielsen, Cam Molloy, and as a trio with Chris Nielsen and R. Harlan Smith.

As a songwriter, her songs have been recorded by Joyce Smith, Glory-Anne Carriere, Danny Hooper, Greg Paul and Tommy Rogers.

She has composed music for several Access TV Alberta films with her husband, musician Dave Martineau.

She counts Buffy Sainte Marie, Joni Mitchell, and Johnny Cash as big influences in her career. She even opened for Johnny Cash and June Carter in 1981.

Vinson has been nominated for eight JUNO Awards, several Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards, and three Alberta Media Production Industry (AMPIA) awards. A nine-time winner of Alberta Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards, Vinson has also received a Canadian Aboriginal Award, an Alberta Achievement Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alberta Women of Country Music Association.

Source: https://lauravinson.com/biography