McLennan Music

Jim and Lynda McLennan have been musically active in southern Alberta for many years. Lynda was the founder of the Big Rock Singers in Okotoks and Jim has performed solo and in groups most of his adult life. Today they perform mainly as a duo and specialize in arranging and adapting songs from all genres to their two-voice/one guitar format.

Jim also performs with his brother Hugh in the trio, "Western Spirit." Along with performing, 

Jim teaches guitar and is active as a session guitarist, playing on other artist's recordings.  

Lynda McLennan taught high-school music for many years, working with choirs, bands, jazz choirs and was music director for several Mainstage musicals. She has directed church choirs and retired after 15 years as the Director of the Big Rock Singers, a community choir in Okotoks, Alberta.  Her first love, though, is singing, and in performance she puts her personal stamp on tunes from Gershwin, Foster, Berlin, and others, in a musical style that can best be described as "folk jazz." 


Jim McLennan’s reputation as a fingerstyle guitarist, composer and arranger has produced an enduring legacy as one of Alberta’s finest guitarists. He recorded for Stefan Grossman’s iconic Kicking Mule record label in the 1970s, and has been featured in Guitar Player magazine. 

Jim's first solo CD, Six-String Gumbo,  was a Western Canadian Music Award finalist for Instrumental Recording of the Year.



Check out the following YouTube link for a sample of Jim and Lynda's music at the

Room Full of Sound Concert Series in 2015, Okotoks, Alberta. And at this link is a new video of Jim playing Blue Finger solo guitar piece

Just Added

Jim performing Lady Madonna


Available for House Concerts

and other Performance Venues

A Jim and Lynda McLennan performance includes instrumental guitar pieces from 

Jim and vocal tunes from Lynda. One moment it’s a “folkafied” version of a standard 

like Ain’t Misbehavin’ or Fly Me to the Moon, next up might be an acoustic nod to the 

R&B world of Sam Cooke or Curtis Mayfield. The only criteria for a McLennan 

interpretation of a tune is that it be a great song.

Much of their music is recognized and loved by their listeners. Seasoned performers, their genuine and engaging stage demeanor immediately puts audiences at ease. 

They have performed at Festival Place in Sherwood Park, the mid-Winter Roots and 

Blues Festival in Edmonton, the On the Edge Concert Series, Carlson’s on Macleod in High River, the Room Full of Sound concert series in Okotoks, Mikey’s Juke Joint in Calgary, the Blue Chair in Edmonton, the Canmore Folk Festival, and at numerous house concerts and other acoustic music venues. For information on booking Jim and Lynda McLennan, or for information on how to host a house concert, please send an email.


Concert Schedule for Spring 2018

Jim and Lynda McLennan

Feb. 9           Westwood (formerly known as The Stop),  Black Diamond, AB     

                      Thanks to all who came.  It was a wonderful evening with new

                      and old friends.  

Feb. 14            Romance and Chocolate, Withrow, Alberta 

                    (40 minutes west of Red Deer)

                        Withrow Gospel Mission 

                      A special Valentine’s Day concert in a beautiful rural church 

                      Special Guests:  Ben and Jessica Crane  

                      For information or to purchase tickets.

                      

Feb. 17         Music for the Wild, Calgary

                         An Alberta Wilderness Association Benefit Concert 

                     Double bill with Go Ask Earl  (bluegrass)

                     AWA Cottage School, 455 12 St NW

                     Doors open at 7:00.  Music at 7:30 p.m.

                     Tickets at albertawilderness.ca/events or call 403 283 2025

                       

Feb. 23         Wellspring Concert, Calgary

                         A concert to benefit Wellspring Calgary (cancer support)

                       7:00 pm 

                     For information, contact Jim and Lynda


Mar. 15-18   Kamloops Cowboy Festival, Kamloops, B.C.

                      Jim performing with brother Hugh and Mike Dygert 

                      in the Spirit of the West band

                      For information, visit bcchs.com


Mar. 18         Live at the Riversong Factory, Kamloops, B.C.

                       Guitar Workshop and solo concert with Jim at the Riversong guitar factory,

                      Kamloops, B.C.

                      For information contact Jim


Mar. 24         Cornerstone Music Cafe, Calgary

                         139 14919 Deer Ridge Dr. S.E.

                       2:30 p.m.

                       An intimate saturday afternoon concert in a small cafe with great food

                       For information call 403 278 3070

                       No cover charge however donations gratefully received. :)


May 1             Longview Seniors Benefit Concert

                       Longview, Alberta

                       An dinner, auction and music to help raise funds for a seniors bus.


June 15        Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering, 

                       Stavely, Alberta  at the arena.

                      Jim and Lynda perform Friday June 15 after lunch.  1:15 p.m.

                      Come for some fun for the day or the whole weekend.

                      Live Western Entertainment  Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

                      Sunday 8:30 - 10 a.m. Cowboy Church - no Charge

                      Free on-Site Dry Camping,

                      Trade Show all weekend

                      A Western Festival of Music, Art, Crafts, Tall Tales & Poetry.

     

                      

                       




Current CD's available

Dancing On Air            Six-String Gumbo          In Times Like These

Cost:  $20.00 per CD          2 or more for $15.00 each.

Send an email to order

Dancing On Air

Jim and Lynda's most recent recording, Dancing on Air features Lynda's voice and 

Jim's guitar. The tunes range from 

Stephen Foster's "Hard Times" to Fats Waller's 

"Ain't Misbehavin'," along with instrumental guitar arrangements of Joni Mitchell's 

"Both Sides Now" and a medley of tunes 

from Phantom of the Opera.

Six-String Gumbo

This is Jim's solo instrumental acoustic guitar CD, which was a Western Canadian Music Award finalist for Instrumental Recording of the Year. The songs include Jim's original compositions, and Jim's arrangements of tunes from the likes of Scott Joplin, Billy Joel, and Lennon and McCartney.

hymns sacred songs, mclennan Jim Alberta

In Times Like These

This is a recording of hymns and gospel tunes that features Jim's long time friend, 

Trevor Warke.  

Trev has an outstanding voice and has arranged these songs in a style reminiscent of Gordon Lightfoot. Jim's guitar adds some colour to these timeless songs of faith, including "How Great Thou Art," "The Church's One Foundation," and "Love Lifted Me." 

Other CD's that feature Jim's playing.

Jim has played guitar on a number of artists' CDs over the years. 

Here are some of them:

Quarter Section, by Meaghan McKenzie

Chronicles, by Tom Cole

Other People's Cattle, by Cowboy Celtic

The Creak of the Leather, by Hugh McLennan

World Weary, by Joe Cunningham

Between Heartache and Hope, by Dianne Quinton

Wailback, by Sid Marty and Wailback

River, by Steve Fisher

____________

If you're interested in having  Jim play on your recording,

send him an email.


Past Performances 

Jim and Lynda McLennan

Longview Seniors Benefit Concert                     Jim and Lynda McLennan

Cornerstone Music Cafe, Calgary                       Jim and Lynda McLennan

Live at the River Song Factory, Kamloops          Jim McLennan

Kamloops Cowboy Fesitival, Kamloops              Western Spirit Band

WellSpring Concert, Calgary  Benefit                  Jim and Lynda McLennan

Music for the Wild, Calgary   Benefit                   Jim and Lynda McLennan

Romance and Chocolate, Withrow, AB                Jim and Lynda McLennan

Westwood, Black Diamond                                   Jim and Lynda McLennan

Aspen Crossing Prairie Train Tour.                       Jim and Lynda McLennan

          Mossleigh, AB                                   

Stoney Plain Cowboy Festival                               Jim and Lynda McLennan

                                                                               Western Spirit Band

Ivan Daines Country Music Pic-Nic                     Western Spirit Band with Hugh McLennan, 

                                                                               Jim McLennan and Mike Dygert

Black Diamond Music Festival, AB                       Jim and Lynda McLennan

Bar-U Ranch Historical Site, AB                            Jim and Lynda McLennan

Water Valley Celtic Festival, AB                             Jim and Lynda McLennan

Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering, Stavely, AB.      Jim and Lynda McLennan

APL Author Series, Airdrie Public Library              Speaker: Jim McLennan 

                                                                                Music:  Jim and Lynda McLennan

Live Music at the Haywire Cafe, Longview            Jim and Lynda McLennan

Wooden Nickel House Concert                              Jim and Lynda McLennan  Guest: Trevor Warke

Kamloops Cowboy Festival                                    Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

New Years House Concert, Lethbridge                  Jim and Lynda McLennan

Spring Point Hall, near Granum, AB                      Jim and Lynda McLennan

Okotoks Annual Food Bank Concert, AB.               Jim and Lynda McLennan

Turner Valley Annual Food Bank Concert, AB.      Jim and Lynda McLennan

Haywire Cafe and Grill, Longview, AB                    Jim and Lynda McLennan

Casa Arts Centre, Lethbridge, AB                           Jim and Lynda McLennan     

House Concert, House warming, Lethbridge        Jim and Lynda McLennan

The Joyce on 4th, Calgary                                      Jim and Lynda McLennan

Tom Cole Concert,  Grande Prairie                        Jim McLennan

Kamloops Cowboy Festival                                    Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering                            Jim and Lynda McLennan

Tom Cole Concert,  Ft. St. John                              Jim McLennan


On the Edge Series, Red Deer Lake Church, Calgary   Jim and Lynda McLennan

Legacy Live, Cochrane                                      Jim and Lynda McLennan

Room Full of Sound, Okotoks                           Jim and Lynda McLennan

Mickey's, Calgary                                              Wailback and Jim McLennan

Mane Event in Red Deer                                   Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

The Hub, Red Deer                                            Jim and Lynda McLennan

House Concert, Red Deer                                  Jim and Lynda McLennan

House Concert, Calgary -  Birthday Party        Jim and Lynda McLennan

Hall of Fame Dinner, Okotoks                           Jim McLennan

Watertown Concert                                            Wailback and Jim McLennan

Grande Prairie Concert                                     Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

Rocky Mountain Folk Club                                Wailback and Jim McLennan 

Sheep River Library, Turner Valley                   Wailback  and Jim McLennan

House Concert                                                   Jim and Lynda McLennan

Ironwood, Calgary                                              Jim and Lynda McLennan

Okotoks Annual Christmas Concert                 Jim McLennan

Kamloops Cowboy Festival                                Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

Aka & Mamoo Book & CD Launch                      Jim McLennan

Highwood River Inn, Alberta                              Jim and Lynda McLennan

The Spirit of the West 20th Anniversary           The Western Spirit Band

                                                                            Jim and Lynda McLennan

Cowboy Music, Poetry & Art Gathering             Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

The Fishin' Musician Concert                            Jim and Lynda McLennan with Amos Garrett, 

                                                                            David Wilkie,  and  Denise Withnell

                                                                               

Room Full of Sound, Okotoks                          Berna-Dean Holland and Band, Jim McLennan

Room Full of Sound, Okotoks                          Jim and Lynda McLennan

Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB                   Jim and Lynda McLennan

Mid Winter Roots and Blues Festival,Edmonton    Jim and Lynda McLennan

Blue Chair Cafe, Edmonton                              Jim and Lynda McLennan

Cardel Theatre, Calgary                                    Jim and Lynda McLennan

Steak Pit, Bragg Creek                                      Jim and Lynda McLennan

House Concert, Bragg Creek                            Jim and Lynda McLennan

Highwood River Inn, AB                                    Jim and Lynda McLennan

Highwood River Inn, AB                                    Hugh McLennan and the Western Spriti Band

                                                                           Jim and Lynda McLennan

The Hub, Red Deer                                            Jim and Lynda McLennan

Carlson's on Macleod, High River, AB              Jim and Lynda McLennan

Okotoks Art Gallery Western Chic                    Jim McLennan


Okotoks Christmas Concert                              Jim and Lynda McLennan

Carlson's on Macleod, High River, AB              Jim and Lynda McLennan

Tin Roof Bistro, Blairmore, AB                          Jim and Lynda McLennan 

Nickelodeon Folk Club                                     Jim McLennan opening for Colin Linden

Bruce Millar CD Release Concert                     Jim and Lynda McLennan

Alberta Arts Days, Calgary Library Theatre      Jim and Lynda McLennan

Room Full of Sound, Okotoks                           Berna-Dean Holland and Band, Jim McLennan

Okotok Agri. Society                                          Hugh McLennan and Jim McLennan

Stoney Plain Weekend Festival                        Hugh McLennan and Jim McLennan

Berna-Dean Benefit Concert                            Jim McLennan

Hillhurst Sunnyside Market                             Jim McLennan with Berna-Dean 

RPAC Concert                                                     Jim McLennan / Paul Rumbolt

Carlson's on Macleod, High River, AB              CD Release Concert    Jim McLennan 

Cowboy Country Music Festival                       Hugh McLennan and the Western Spirit Band

Alberta Wildlife Assoc. Music for the Wild Event, Calgary     Jim and Lynda McLennan

Opening of the Performing Arts Centre, Okotoks      Jim McLennan

The Stop Coffee House                                      Steve Fisher and Jim McLennan

Cantos Theatre, Calgary                                     Steve Fisher and Jim McLennan

                                                                             opening Lindsey Ell

Okotoks United Church                                     Steve Fisher and Jim McLennan opened for

                                                                            Amos Garrett and band


© 2016 Jim and Lynda McLennan, McLennan Fly Fishing