From the minute she begins to sing, Debra Cowan grabs her audience and doesn't let go. Her ability to communicate the story within the song is rare. Her rich voice conjures images of stony grey Celtic castles, green and rolling English landscapes, and humorous American urban scenes. Just as the audience is left spellbound after Debra presents a woeful traditional ballad of love gone wrong, she immediately brings laughter with an outrageous comic song. Her love of songs from the British Isles has led her to search out the connections with their North American ancestors and her desire to be true to the song brought her to Edinburgh, Scotland in 1997.

While there, Debra studied the performances of that country's finest singers. She was chosen to be a resident musician at Edinburgh's premier folk music pub, Sandy Bell's Bar, following in the footsteps of Scottish musicians such as Dick Gaughan, Aly Bain, Tony Cuffe and the Wrigley Sisters. Almost ten years later and based near Worcester MA, Debra tours extensively in the USA and United Kingdom.

Since the 2001 release of her solo debut The Long Grey Line, Debra has become a familiar name in and around folk music on both sides of the Atlantic for her clear vocals and beautifully rendered songs, which have been described as "stunning". She has appeared at numerous concert venues and on radio programs throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, including WFMT's internationally-syndicated "Folkstage" live radio concert in Chicago. Sing Out! published Debra's version of "Walloping Window Blind" from Dad's Dinner Pail and Other Songs From the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection in their Spring 2006 issue. Debra's version of "Has He Got a Friend For Me" is included in the 2006 Free-Reed Records box set, RT-The Life and Times of Richard Thompson.

Debra has been a featured performer at the Greater New Bedford Summerfest, Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival, Champlain Valley Folk Festival, Lancaster Maritime Festival (UK), Edinburgh Festival (UK) and the Chico World Music Festival. She was one of 18 artists selected as a Formal Showcase Artist at the 2002 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Annual Conference and is a past Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Showcase Artist. A musical scholar as well as a renowned performer, she was a panelist discussing Woody Guthrie's life and legacy along with Fred Hellerman, Oscar Brand, and journalist Dave Marsh.

Photo by Susan Wilson

"Her respect and love of the music whether traditional or contemporary, is unmistakable. Although Debra's voice has the clarity and pureness of a Judy Collins or a Maddy Prior, she is in a class by herself."
- Alan & Helene Korolenko, Greater New Bedford Summerfest

"an emotionally powerful performer, just close your eyes and one of her ballads comes alive"
- Dave Palmater WUMB FM Boston

"Such is Cowan's musical net that it can encompass various musical styles and traditions, from English singer/songwriter Richard Thompson to traditional whaling songs, to bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, all done so skillfully that you beg to hear more"
- NY Pinewoods Folk Music

Co-produced with composer and guitarist Michael DeLalla, the renowned singer breathes new life into eleven traditional songs from the Flanders Song Collection in an elegant dance with Michael's exquisite guitar settings, always delivered with reverence for the song. Dad's Dinner Pail also features Falling Mountaineers Tabby Finch (The Bog Wanderers) on hammered dulcimer and accordion, Chas Fowler (The Unfortunate Rakes) on whistle, and Joe Dezarn (The Bog Wanderers) on fiddle, as well as guest appearances from acclaimed singer John Roberts (Roberts and Barrand, Nowell Sing We Clear) lending his voice to two hymns, "Fearless In the Fire" and "Star In the East", and Ralph Gordon on cello and bass. Highlights include Michael's beautiful guitar arrangements in songs such as "Bold Richard" and Debra's glorious nested three-part harmony vocals on "Poor Soldier".

An artful collection of 3 contemporary and 10 traditional songs, supported by stellar musicians including Geoff Bartley, Lorraine Hammond, and Hanneke Cassel. Engineered by Steve Friedman, of Melville Park Studio, Boston, MA, and was produced by Debra Cowan. Debra's voice is beautifully showcased on this album. An outstanding booklet accompanies this impressive project, giving interesting background on the songs in addition to the lyrics.