Paddy Dougherty’s musical career has taken her on quite a ride. First as a backup singer for national bluesman David Bromberg, performing in venues along the east coast; Wolf Trap (DC), the Bottom Line (NYC), Lime Kiln (VA), the Iron Horse (MA), the Birchmere (VA), the United Nations Building (NYC), the Philadelphia Folk Festival (PA), Mountain Stage Radio (WVA), and at numerous clubs and festivals along the east coast. 

In 1991, along with drummer Larry Scott, she formed the Virginia cover band Mainstreet Rhythm & Blues and for 13 years delivered a power packed party that met with great success in the area culminating in 2004 when they were voted “Best Band” in the Central Virginia Region. For the 1993 Pepsi Band Jam Competition, Dougherty submitted three original songs. Out of 99 submissions, Mainstreet took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place and won the “classic rock” category.

Always feeling the pull to write and perform her original material, Paddy let Mainstreet go to focus full time on writing, recording, and performing her own songs. In September 2005, Paddy was invited to have several of her songs arranged for full orchestra by legendary hitmaker Charles Callelo, for a performance with Rita Coolidge and the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. The show was a huge success and was later presented at City Stadium before a hometown crowd of 5,000. 

Along the way, she was invited by Paul Reisler to join the national songwriting organization Kid Pan Alley. She spent years on the road writing hundreds of songs with thousands of children in the USA. It was there that she honed the craft of collaborating with children. 

Now back in Lynchburg, close to family, Dougherty enjoys empowering children’s voices and sharing her love of music with the students of James River Day School, directing the choir at Holy Cross Catholic Church, as well as guiding select private students in piano, guitar, voice, bass and songwriting. 

Join us for an unforgettable concert with Paddy as she presents The Winds of Change right here at Bower Center for The arts on June 21st at 7pm. 

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door