The Take Note! Music House presents the enchanting Laura Smith with guitarist Paul Mills on Sunday, November 27 at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30). Requested donation is $25, with all proceeds going directly to the performers. You may reserve your seat by calling (705) 305-1687 or emailing concerts@takenotepromotion.com (address given upon reservation)

Laura Smith (www.laurasmithmusic.com)

“I have rarely in my life of listening to nearly five decades of songwriters, been so deeply moved and inspired as I have by Canada’s Laura Smith.” - Rod Kennedy, Founder/Producer, Kerrville Folk Festival In Laura Smith's music, real emotions ebb and flow. Your heart is in her capable hands, and likewise, she has entrusted you with hers. As she sings, her strong, melodious voice waves and catches, snagging on a scar here and there, surfing on a wonder, staring down a riddle... As you listen, the two of you go along together; brave and surfacing; calm and inquisitive. Smith’s music is direct and honest. Sometimes, fiddles and guitars gently lift and carry her spirited vocals, while her melodies and careful poetry dig deep. “My work is all very simple, earth-based,” says the Maritime-based singer/songwriter. Her work is no so much written, as painstakingly designed, cut and stitched together. “Like quilt craft,” she explains. “I make it body and soul, with everything I have available – my sensibilities, my ability to play. So many things come into the making of a song. When I say write, it limits what I bring to bear.”

Laura has already experienced exhilarating career highs. Her 1994 album “B’tween the Earth and My Soul” elicited unbounded critical acclaim, enormous airplay, national television appearances and a hungry demand for live performances. From the stages of Denmark to Newport, Rhode Island to Vancouver to the Yukon, Smith has shared the secrets of her soul, laying out for rapt audiences her private, yet ultimately universal experiences.

In 1996, she won two East Coast Music Awards (Female Artist, Album of the Year) and two Juno nominations (for Best New Solo Artist and Best Roots and Traditional Album). In 1995, her song "Shade of Your Love" was the most played AC song in Canada. In 1997, she won a Gemini Award for Best Performance in a Performing Arts Program or Series. At the request of CBC radio personality, Peter Gzowski, who was receiving a Governor's General Award, she performed "My Bonny" at the prestigious Ottawa ceremony. Her heartbreaking adaptation of the Scottish chestnut, on “B’tween the Earth and My Soul” had haunted the broadcast host since he first heard it. Of the evening, she recalls, "It will always stand as one of the great honours of my career." Laura had to take some shore-leave but she's back into the stream of her songwriting life; ebbing and flowing; brave and surfacing. Laura Smith's gate is wide open, her dreams are getting out. "I hope the Muse finds me a hospitable host," she said recently. "I must re-learn how to make her comfortable." Indeed, there are many stories yet to be crafted into song.

Paul Mills (www.themillstream.com)

“Whether he’s on stage, in the studio, or jamming with friends into the night, Paul always brings with him a keen sense of musicality and enthusiasm that adds life to the music.” - Bill Garrett

Guitarist Paul Mills is also a graduate engineer, musician, musical arranger, graphic designer and record producer/engineer.  This unique combination of skills has resulted in a varied career. He joined CBC Radio, Canada's national public radio network in 1972 as a music producer and later moved over to the Radio Drama department as producer and executive producer. As a music producer for CBC Radio in the seventies, he conceived and produced a national folk music program called “Touch The Earth” which was hosted by Sylvia Tyson.  As a drama producer, he helped develop the award-winning series, “The Scales of Justice” which was later adapted for CBC Television.  Later, he was put in charge of planning the radio facilities in the new CBC building in Downtown Toronto and eventually became a senior manager for CBC Radio.

Paul has been part of the Canadian folk music scene and recording industry for over forty years.  He has produced close to 200 albums working with artists such as the late Stan Rogers (all but one of Rogers’ albums were produced by Mills),  Sharon, Lois and Bram, Terry Kelly, Ron Hynes and John Allan Cameron.  He is a founding partner of the Borealis Recording Company, and owns and operates his own production company and recording studio called The Millstream in London, Ontario. In 2011, Paul was awarded the Estelle Klein Award by Folk Music Ontario. The award recognizes the work of an individual who has made significant contributions to Ontario's folk music community.