biography
In a small rural Venezuelan town a tender 8 years old Linda Bandry was raised with the children of the American oil workers that were living and working there at the time, along with their customs she developed a passionate love for country music. “Until I was 16 years old I didn’t listen to any other kind of music and I actually thought that country music was originated in Venezuela, I would wake in the morning to the Roosters crowing and the beautiful melody of Patsy Montana’s “cowboy’s sweetheart”.
Her father, Elias Bandry, was fascinated by Blue Grass music and one day asked her to make Spanish versions of his favorites songs so that he could understand them, “By doing this, I realized that I could write my own songs and Daddy loved hearing me sing them”
At just 8 years old Linda Joined 5 other girls in a singing group called “Super Youngs”. They sang Linda’s songs and even some of Dolly Parton’s and Kenny Rogers’ songs everywhere and anywhere they could. At 15 years old she joined another female vocal group called PRIMAVERA (SPRINGTIME) as the lead singer. There She came into her own as a vocalist and people started calling her “LA IMPORTADA” (The Foreign girl) because she sang in English; later her studies at Law School separated her from the group. As a student she was very committed and disciplined but music was still her biggest passion and she never passed up the opportunity to get together with her friends and enjoy country music.
Linda Arrives in the United States in 1998 and her primary goal was to record an Album of original country songs in Spanish. With God’s grace, help from Najib Seguias and the talent of her friend, guitarist and producer Ed Gonzalez, her dream came true in May of 2003. Among the musicians integral to the album entitled “COMO LUNA” (Like the Moon), are Alan Kendall (Pedal Steel), David Scully (Guitars) and John Lengel (Drums). “Only those who live and love country music can actually convey the nuances specific to the genre” “By releasing this country record in Spanish I feel that I am paying homage to this great country as well as to my father” “I would like for the whole world to know and dance to this music because I feel that it symbolizes peace, unity and the moral values that sometime are forgotten today” “Country Music is more than just line dancing & tight jeans or going to the Rodeo. To me, it’s an expression of a people and culture that refuses to settle for, good enough.”
Today Linda Bandry is the Hispanic Representative for Country Music in the United States and her conviction has made it possible for fans in Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and other countries to open their hearts to this Genre. Her image has been broadcasted through the Hispanic and American Television, such as: UNIVISION, TELEFUTURA, TELEMUNDO, CHANNEL 41, CHANNEL 4, TELEMIAMI and many others. She was acknowledged in 2004 by NARAS for the 46th Annual Grammy Awards and considered one of the 50 Best Country Female Vocalists and her Album “COMO LUNA” was one of the Best Country Albums of the year; She was also nominated for “REVELACION DEL AÑO” (Best New Artist of the year) for the famous Spanish Music Awards Show “EL PREMIO LO NUESTRO 2004” She was placed in the POP category because as of yet, there was no country music category. “Music is a universal language and a very powerful means of uniting the world and mind kind”.