Debra Fotheringham, the ninth of eleven children, grew up in American Fork, Utah in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains. From birth, music was an integral part of Debra’s life. Her father had been a professional jazz saxophonist earlier in his life, and Debra grew up immersed in the constant sounds of his large jazz music library. She tried her hand at several instruments, beginning with the violin, then the trumpet, before she finally found her niche. At the age of fourteen Debra simultaneously discovered the versatility of the guitar and the diversity and rhythm of world percussion. Debra took to the guitar immediately. While studying percussion in school, Debra used the guitar to escape from the rigidity of formal instruction.

As a crafter of words from an early age, writing has always been an important part of Debra's identity. Caught between her two loves, writing and music, Debra discovered she could combine them both to create something fascinating and wholly new to her so Debra began writing songs...and then she began to sing. At the age of sixteen, Debra began performing for the public and she has been charming audiences ever since. Her clear and effortlessly melodic vocals, insightful lyrics, and uncommon skill on the guitar have caught national and global attention.

In 2006 Debra met Nashville producer/engineer Giles Reaves (Patty Griffin, Chantal Kreviazuk) and in 2007 she and Giles co-produced Debra’s self-titled debut album. The album was recorded essentially as a three-man project with Giles providing drums/keyboards, Ryan Tilby providing the smooth upright bass, and Debra on all guitars, percussion, and vocals. That summer Debra toured extensively around the United States and Europe, from Seattle to New York to Paris, including an invitation to perform in Long Island, NY as the featured artist for the 10,000 subscribers of the world’s largest acoustic podcast. Her performances included such venues as The Bitter End in NYC and Hollywood's House of Blues. In 2008 Debra was selected as one of the 10 Finalists at the prestigious Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriting Competition in Colorado, which featured artists like KT Tunstall, Amos Lee, Patty Griffin, etc. And most recently, Debra's music was featured on the PBS show Roadtrip Nation. Debra continues to write and perform with the goal of creating a new album this year.