ring performance Ferron Delivers Powerful and Emotional Performance at the Shadbolt Centre, February 10

FERRON HAS BEEN dubbed “the Johnny Cash of lesbian folk singing”. Born Debbie Foisy, the artist made her public debut in Vancouver in 1975 at a benefit for the Women’s Press Gang. A champion of the women’s movement, the singer-songwriter-guitarist influenced artists such as Ani Di Franco, Mary Gauthier and the Indigo Girls, whom she credits as her primary inspiration.

Born in Toronto to Cree, Ojibwa, and French-Canadian descent, Ferron grew up in Richmond BC and left home when she was 15. Now based on Saturna Island, she will perform in concert with Chris Nordquist, Darryl Havers and Jami Sieber Shadbolt on February 10th.

Ferron’s extensive discography includes Transcript (1980), shadow on a dime (1984), phantom center (1990), No still life (1992), rest at the question (1992), become beautiful (2005) and girl on a street (2011). Their 1994 album driver received a Juno nomination for Best Roots and Traditional Album and was also included in the Top 10 Albums of the Year lists New York Times and the Boston globe. In 1996, Ferron received an Outmusic Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards.

Rolling Stone described her music: “Ferron writes about love with the relentless introspection of Leonard Cohen, and like classic Bob Dylan, the hard, questioning attitude of her songs sometimes gives way to the unexpected.”

“Politics, both sexual and environmental, are a noticeable undercurrent in Ferron’s songs, but they are far less significant than her distinctly personal voice.” The New York Times once wrote about Ferron. “She is a kind-hearted seeker who digs deep to find a chaotic but authentic poetry of spiritual struggle.”

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