default page

EPK (Electronic Press Kit)

“It is truly a gift what she gives her audience.”          – The Miami Herald

 

Following a life-long desire to sing and perform, Debra Cowan left her job as a California middle school math teacher in 1997 and went to live in Edinburgh, Scotland for six months. There, she developed an appreciation for un-accompanied singing and began incorporating more a capella renderings into her performances. Upon her return to the USA in 1998 she traveled all over New England performing at any open mike within 100 miles of her new home in Springfield, Massachusetts. Over twenty years later, she is now a full-time performer who bridges the old and new with a refreshing stage presence. She has released five full-length recordings, and her newest, an EP titled Greening the Dark” , have earned praise on both sides of the Atlantic. She tours extensively in the United Kingdom and in North America and can also be seen on stage with her good friend, singer and musician John Roberts. Debra is a proud member of American Federation of Musicians Local 1000 and endorses Harvey Leach guitars. Between travels, she makes her home near Worcester, Massachusetts with her husband and their cats, Hazel and Haku.

 

Discography

CLICK HERE to see a list of all of Debra’s recordings and compilation contributions

 

Documents to Read & Download

The One Sheet

The Bio

Press Articles

Video

An online concert Debra performed on Sept 11, 2021 for Folknet.org . Opening the show was Katy Robinson.

“One More Before We Go” written by John Conolly and Bill Meek performed at Turtle Hill Folk Music Festival September 8, 2019

“Alcohol” (Ray Davies) Performed at the Black Swan Folk Club, York, UK in April 2017

“Nantucket Girl’s Song” (trad) Performed at Skipton Folk Club, Skipton, W. Yorks, UK in March 2014

“We Have Fed You All” Recorded at a house concert in Surrey, UK March, 2013

“St. Brendan’s Fair Isle” (Jimmy Driftwood) Recorded by Peter Simmonds at the Folk21 Conference in London, UK Feb. 23, 2013

Listen to Live Tracks

The first three songs were recorded live on WFMT’s “Folkstage”, hosted by Rich Warren and recorded on  September 1, 2013. These tracks are un-edited. The others are live tracks from various performances.

What Others Say

“We don’t take risks at Songbird Sanctuary, but we hosted Debra Cowan without seeing her first, against our number one rule. It was the best hosting decision I ever made, and if you don’t believe me, ask our audience who sang on every song.”                 – Tom Yeager, Songbird Sanctuary House Concerts, Houston TX

“Debra has a voice which beautifully combines Celtic and Appalachian sensibilities…deeply satisfying, lyrical and musically elegant.”
-Roseanne Cash

“It’s always a treat to hear Debra Cowan….”
-Mitch Park, host “Folk on Sunday”, Radio Kidnappers, New Zealand

“Debra really connects with all around her; a capella or accompanied on guitar, she uses her natural magnetism and fabulous, warm alto voice to drive home both traditional and written material…” -Mick Tems, Folk Wales, UK

“…a wonderful voice ….Debra has a great voice and a great feel for her material”
-Mike Harding, host, “The Mike Harding Folk Show” podcast (UK)

“…a pleasure to hear a real singer who can apply her beautiful voice to the best material available from traditional songs to those by contemporary songwriters. She sure knows how to interpret a song and wrap her soul and voice around it.”
– Rich Warren, host, “Midnight Special”, WFMT 98.7 FM, Chicago, IL

“She was the meanest teacher in the school!”
– former middle school math student

On the calendar

See all dates

Listen now!

Your shopping cart

Items in your cart

Your cart is currently empty.

Programs

Receive A Free Full Album Download!