Linda McRae first gained notoriety as bassist, accordionist and vocalist with Juno nominated and platinum recording artists Celtic roots rockers Spirit of the West, with whom she toured and recorded internationally, from 1989 to 1997. Carve It To The Heart is Linda's sophomore Black Hen release, and showcases the more intimate, acoustic sound which she continues to develop through association and collaboration with fellow songwriters. Co-produced by Linda and Marc L'Esperance (Po' Girl, The Twisters, Ray Condo), this is her third release since leaving Spirit of the West in 1997 to resume her solo career. On Flying Jenny (1997) she worked with producer Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Stephen Fearing, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings) and a high powered roster of Canadian talent. Cryin' Out Loud (Black Hen 2002) was produced by Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mary Gauthier). An accomplished songwriter herself, Linda has focused on this aspect of her career the past few years, and has been writing prolifically. Workshops and camps hosted by Pat Pattison of the Berklee School of Music have led to a collaboration with Pat on "How Can I Bring Her Back", and an association with Grammy Award winning songwriters Steve Seskin, Kathy Mattea and Jon Vezner. Linda's repertoire of instruments has grown through the years to include guitar, bass and banjo, along with the ubiquitous accordion. She is currently studying with renowned "Round Peak" clawhammer banjo afficianado Brad Leftwich. Carve It To The Heart features 9 new songs steeped in the dust bowl traditions as far-reaching as the Canadian Prairie to the heartland of the Appalachian Mountains. Collaborations with fellow band mates Nova Devonie (Ranch Romance, Jo Miller & the Burly Roughnecks) and Stephen Nikleva (Ray Condo, Sarah McLachlan, Sandy Scofield) have yielded a collection of rich, heart rendering songs. Carve It To The Heart features the considerable talents of Paul Pigat (Cousin Harley) on upright bass, Washboard Hank (Fred Eaglesmith) on washboard of course, and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Gary Fjellgaard on background vocals.