August 2006 Vol. 25. No. 8

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Like mother, like daughter: Two singers find peace and quiet in Arcata
Preparing for winter: Firewood sales start Aug. 7
Area Agency on Aging: Building energy efficiency and preventing falls
Humboldt Classics Senior Softball: There's a new kid on the block
Schooling comes in many forms
Activities at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center

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Lin McPhillips and her mother Billie Dadigan in the music studio. Photo by Barbara Clark

Singing for audiences since she was four, Arcata resident, Billie Dadigan, now 86, has years of memories to cherish. Voted "Sweetheart of Fort Ord" in 1944 during World War II, Billie had her own radio show for two years. Ballads by Billie played twice weekly to the troops going to war and returning - all looking forward to listening to her melodic voice.

As well as singing for the troops at Fort Ord, Billie performed in the USO throughout the United States on bond tours, road shows, at bivouacs on the back of military trucks using generators for the lights and mics. The highest honor bestowed on Billie was when she received a citation for outstanding performances in the USO by Major Clark, commandant of Fort Ord, and signed by FDR's Secretary of War Robert Patterson. As part of the USO entertainment, other musicians and entertainers were invited to join her on stage. Her daughter was a guest more than once, and standing in front of 5,000 GIs belting out songs had a lasting influence on five-year-old Lin.

Jazz vocalist Lin McPhillips, now an Arcata resident as well, continued in her mother's footsteps.

"My mother has always been my inspiration," said Lin. "I was raised on music, and I was encouraged by the music of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Desmond and my favorite jazz singer, Anita O'Day."

Lin has been recognized by the San Francisco Examiner, as well as top music magazines High Fidelity and Downbeat and Blackhawk Records' Palo Alto Jazz. She has recorded four albums with "Inner City" of New York, appeared at the Russian River Jazz Festival, the Berkeley Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Concord Jazz Festival.

After four years off from her 35 years of professional singing, recording and teaching in the Bay Area, Lin is starting over in Humboldt County and returning to vocal instruction. She has the perfect studio set-up in her home with piano and mics - and the ever vigilant mother Billie listening from down the hall.

Lin's enthusiasm for her adult students' success and her ability to have them relax and have fun are her gifts. She does whatever it takes to help the students learn where their voice from within is hiding and to bring it out at full volume. She keeps presenting the message in different ways until the student says, "Aha, I get it!" According to Lin, nothing is ever wrong - it just needs improvement.

Lin not only provides private lessons, but clinics and group lessons as well and is willing to travel to other locations. She said that most choral groups train the group, but don't have the time to work with the individuals who have the solos or to draw out the shy singers who have great talent. She also teaches mic technique, vocal agility, expanding vocal range, how to work the audience, and stage presence - which is very important to those who wish to go on with musical performances.

Lin has put together a five-voice jazz vocal group that is working on a Christmas program. For information on lessons (or suggestions on a Christmas venue) call Lin at 822-5235 in the afternoon or evenings.