Sleepy Little Town by Cori Connors

" Cori's songs have won first place honors in the Intermountain Songwriters Competition, the Louisville Songwriters Association Songwriting Contest, and the Utah Composers Guild Competition. Besides songwriting, her poetry and essays have been published in international magazines.

As an artist, Cori's honest and intimate performances have created a healthy base of loyal followers. She weaves a pattern of warm reminiscence into each of her performances. In 1998 she won a place among the top four singer/songwriters nationally in the KRCL Singer/ Songwriter Competition. In 1999 Cori performed in England and Wales, and was the featured artist on Radio Dublin's weekly radio folk program. In 2001 she traveled with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, performing in venues throughout the UK. Connors' music, as one newspaper noted, "...touches a common chord shared by all of us."

Cori has produced and released four CD's, with a new CD scheduled for release in 2004:

* Out of the Blue is a compilation of original songs. It includes the rich harmonies of Merlynn Schofield, and some of the finest musicians in Nashville and throughout the US.

* Sleepy Little Town is a Christmas Album, which the IAMA Magazine describes as . . . "A fond and sometimes bittersweet collection of holiday memories in small-town America, featuring Connors' stellar song writing and clear vocals."

* Love Abides is a collection of love songs Cori lovingly produced as a wedding gift for her daughter.

* Seatrek 2001 commissioned Cori to write songs and script for the oratorio, Saints on the Seas, which was recorded in Liverpool and is also available on CD.

* Currently recording songs for a December 2004 release of original songs, Pontiac Rocket.

Cori serves on the Board of Directors for the Mormon Arts Foundation, served as Vice President of the Utah Songwriters Association and is also on the Board of Trustees of the Utah Composer's Guild. She teaches lyric writing classes and also performs with Heart & Soul, an organization which takes music and other performances to persons unable to attend public performances.

Making her home in the quaint town of Farmington, Utah, Cori is happily married to Farmington's mayor, David Connors and they are the parents of four children.

REVIEWS FOLLOW

CORI CONNORS

Reviews

"Whether it's a larger view of life and love, or an insightful look at the brief, but lasting moments that make up the fabric of our memories, the music of [Cori Connors] touches a common chord shared by all of us."

Davis County Clipper

"I do not fancy myself a music critic, but I know a beautiful song when I hear one. a woman from the Salt Lake City, Utah area, named Cori Connors has a Christmas CD called "Sleepy Little Town". Never in my 48 years have I heard something so delicate and beautiful. All the songs, except "O Holy Night" and "Our Gift For You" are originals, and they are just wonderful....and the harmonies of merlyn schofield are sparkling! God bless these women for making my Christmas even better...and it's only early November!"

Bob Pegritz, Disc Jockey for WVUD, Wilmington, Delaware

(posted on the internet)

"Cori is a singer-songwriter. In fact, she is an extraordinary singer-songwriter! Drawing on experiences such as the joys and pain of childhood (she is one of seven children) and upon her own family ties (she is the mother of four), she crafts songs of unusual warmth, depth and melodicism....Cori is a rare talent.... I feel strongly about the talent of this individual."

El McMeen III; recording artist

Narada Records, Shanachie Records & Piney Ridge Records; NY, NY

Sleepy Little Town, by Cori and Merlynn, is a fine collection of 10 original Christmas songs by Cori Connors, plus the traditional "O Holy Night" and "Our Gift For You" by J. Estes.

The title cut sets the tone with what at first seems to be the familiar image of lovers being kept apart at the holiday season. However, as the song unfolds, it becomes clear that the singer is estranged, not from a lover, but from the warmth of a hometown remembered.

It's easy to see why Connors' songs have been recorded by the likes of Chris LeDoux and Linda Ronstadt. Her themes are traditional and her tasty melodies lend themselves well to country-western styles. But it's a good thing Connors also records her own stuff. With the dead-on harmonies of Merlynn Schofield, her songs shine with a quality only the writer can bring to them.

Connors is a gifted singer with a comfortable style. Her delivery alone makes these songs reach out to the listener. But the quality of her writing is what will make this a lasting part of your holiday collection. The concept of Sleepy Little Town is anchored in religious themes, with selections like "Who Is This Babe," "Wise Men Seek Him Still" and the delightful children's chorus of "Heavenly Choirs."

But the album explores other holiday themes; some tender, some painful.

"Down the Road to Home" is a pleasing take on the adult visit to the home of childhood, and the flood of memories that circumstance creates.

"You Would Have Loved This" is a touching remembrance of a mother who has passed away. Although Connors has a specific dedication for this song, it will have universal appeal to all those who feel such a loss a little keener during the holidays.

"Flexible Flyer" is the most powerful song on the album, not just because it deals with darker holiday memories. I won't reveal what unfolds here, but it represents some of the finest writing I've come across. It's a nearly perfect synergy of spare but rich imagery, a haunting melody and understated instrumentation.

Rounded out with the musical talents of Michael Dowdle, Gael and Tom Shults and Mark Stephenson, together with some elegant string arrangements by Theresa Ellis, Sleepy Little Town has a depth that will make it one of the anticipated parts of the holidays at our home.

David Eskelsen; Intermountain Acoustic Musician Magazine

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