October 10, 2007
Lori McKenna–Singer, Songwriter, Wife, Mother
Oh, I had to laugh when I heard the title of Lori McKenna’s latest CD, Unglamorous. Doesn’t that often sum up our feelings as moms? You may be surprised that even entertainment personalities feel that way as well. You may not be familiar with Lori McKenna’s recordings, but you may have heard some of her songs that have been recorded by Sara Evans, Mandy Moore, or Faith Hill. Lori’s music is a mix of country and a bluesy folk style. You can find out more about Lori McKenna by checking out her website, where you will find some concert dates and some free appearances as well as samples of her music. Lori McKenna TV is frequently updated with videos.
I had a nice chat with this working mom about her life and her music:
JD: Who have some of your musical mentors been?
LM: I was the youngest of 6 kids in a musical family. My two older brothers are songwriters. I grew up in the 70s, and liked a lot of my older brothers’ music: Neil Young, Carly Simon, Carole King, James Taylor. I’m very inspired by my brother Richard.
JD: You’re a mother of five. Are your kids musical?
LM: My oldest, Brian (18), is in a band, and a songwriter. He’s in college majoring in audio-engineering. Meghan 6, has me write down the songs that she’s singing, so she’s got it in her, too.
JD: You’re balancing a lot. How do you recharge yourself?
LM: I just went away with my husband for three days. That was great. Music recharges me. I listen to it on my ipod while I mow the lawn, and it clears my mind. The same goes while I’m driving or doing laundry–I can filter things out and process them, so that when I go to bed, I can actually sleep.
JD: Wait–you don’t actually like doing laundry do you?
LM: (Laughs) I do now that it’s not in the basement anymore. It’s right off the kitchen where everyone is. I don’t like putting it away, but I do like doing it as sort of a mindless activity.
JD: What else do you want to tell our readers?
LM: I’m so lucky. My job gives back so much to me. It’s fulfilling, like having a child who loves you back. A woman is lucky if she can find something like that. I think I appreciate my family more because I am able to have my own identity through my music. I think it’s vital for parents to have something for themselves - it’s very easy to just become a “parent” and forget who you are as a person.
She may or may not be unglamorous, but she’s one of us, don’t you think? You can find more of my interview on my site, Snapshot.
We’re giving away five copies of a 4-song CD and DVD so you can sample her latest project Unglamorous for yourself. Leave a comment to win. We’ll draw the winners on Tuesday, October 16 (U.S. or Canada shipping addresses).
71 Comments on Lori McKenna–Singer, Songwriter, Wife, Mother »
#1 - Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings @ 6:21 pm
Count me in!
#2 - Ruth :) @ 6:28 pm
yes please!!!
#3 - Stephanie @ 6:37 pm
Ooh I would love it!
#4 - Michelle @ 6:44 pm
I would welcome the opportunity to listen to a new artist. I have found some great music this way, through reading blogs.
#5 - bebemiqui @ 6:53 pm
Loved the interview…I would love to hear her music.
#6 - Kasie@~The Art of Life~ @ 6:57 pm
Thanks so much for sharing! She sounds like a wonderful artist and Mother. I would love to win the cd!
#7 - Singing Blog Feeds » Blog Archive » Lori McKenna–Singer, Songwriter, Wife, Mother @ 7:27 pm
[...] You can read the rest of this blog post by going to the original source, here [...]
#8 - Tammy @ 7:28 pm
Oh I saw her on Oprah once with Faith Hill, I LOVE her music! she is such a wonderful singer/songwriter!! count me in too! thanks!
#9 - TheAngelForever @ 7:45 pm
Would love one!!! Something for mommy to listen to would be nice for a little while.
#10 - Briana @ 7:57 pm
I would love some new music to listen to. I have been listening to the dinosaur blues for too long.
#11 - peppylady @ 8:05 pm
Put my name in the hat.
#12 - Heidi @ 8:18 pm
I love music! Count me in on this one!
#13 - Jess @ 8:25 pm
I would love to win, she sound very cute and sweet. I am on my way to check her out!
#14 - Michele @ 8:46 pm
Please enter me!
#15 - Tina @ 8:55 pm
ohhh I love her. Unglamorous is exactly how we all feel sometimes (sometimes all the time) as moms. The thankless or thanklittle jobs that we do to keep the household running. Its nice to have music to do those jobs to and Lori’s music clears the soul of clutter.
#16 - Tina D. @ 8:57 pm
ohhh I love her. Unglamorous is exactly how we all feel sometimes (sometimes all the time) as moms. The thankless or thanklittle jobs that we do to keep the household running. Its nice to have music to do those jobs to and Lori’s music clears the soul of clutter.
#17 - Jill @ 9:03 pm
I have been wanting to hear her. Thanks for the giveaway.
#18 - Tiffanie@Three Peas in a Pod @ 9:11 pm
Count me in!!
#19 - Wendy @ 9:14 pm
I love to hear new music:) Count me in!!!
#20 - Karen (Mommy of Three) @ 9:25 pm
Please count me in, thanks!
#21 - Andrea @ 9:50 pm
I’m always up for some new great music!
#22 - Fruitbearer @ 9:53 pm
Please count me in. Thanks!
#23 - Christine @ 10:24 pm
I would love to sample Lori’s music… Add me, please!
#24 - Jill H. @ 10:26 pm
Count me in!
#25 - Dawn @ 11:12 pm
I would love to win that.
#26 - Jenna @ 11:30 pm
I love her. She seems so down to earth and fun. Would love to win this!
#27 - Cheri @ 12:25 am
Please count me in too!
#28 - Karen @ Simply A Musing Blog @ 1:30 am
I’ve never heard of her…she seems terrific - I’d love to win one! Thanks!
#29 - Lois Lane @ 4:14 am
the kids’ wooden art easel set is great!
#30 - Lois Lane @ 4:15 am
Faith Hill’s song “Stealing Kisses”, written by Lori McKenna, is one of my all-time favorite songs. I would love to win this!
#31 - Laura @ 7:31 am
I don’t remember how I first heard about Lori McKenna but I was so excited to see her getting “out there” and having her talent recognized more publicly. She has a wonderful way with words!! Count me in!
#32 - Carey @ 7:53 am
Count me in!
#33 - Liz @ 8:10 am
I just know my sister, a singer/songwriter herself, would love this cd.
#34 - Lisa O @ 8:18 am
She sounds pretty cool! Please include me.
#35 - Mama Zen @ 8:41 am
I would love to have this!
#36 - Wendy @ 8:51 am
I love Lori McKenna, she has an amazing talent and I think that being a mom of 5 and having this amazing career is a dream come true. She is a true inspiration for us mom’s that feel Unglamorous. I would love to have this CD!!
#37 - Susan @ 8:54 am
Lori’s music is wonderful! Please count me in!
#38 - SJ @ 9:00 am
Enter me in please! I would love a sample.
#39 - TAMI LEWIS @ 9:04 am
my daughter is a fan of lori’s so this would be a great christmas gift if i win!
#40 - Karen R @ 9:09 am
absolutely LOVE Lori McKenna!!
#41 - Aimee @ 9:17 am
I would love to win this!
#42 - Cory @ 9:23 am
Please add my name to the drawing. Thank you
#43 - Melissa Markham @ 9:57 am
I am always looking for opportunites to experience artists that I haven’t heard before. Thanks!
#44 - Kristina @ 10:46 am
I love Lori McKenna!! Count me in!!
#45 - Adena (cre82learn) @ 10:50 am
Please count me in. I headed over to her website too and looks great.
#46 - Tanya Moyer @ 10:57 am
Count me in!!! Thanks!!!
#47 - Laura @ 11:17 am
I’d love to listen to a new artist!
#48 - Carrie @ 12:41 pm
Count me in! I’d love a listen!
#49 - Annie @ 12:56 pm
I’ve been looking for her CD, but can’t find it locally! Guess I’ll have to order it.
#50 - Nikke Pinon @ 3:34 pm
Sounds like great music!
#51 - Mommy Bee @ 5:09 pm
We’re a music-lovin’ family! Count us in!
#52 - Emma Kieninger @ 5:14 pm
ohmygosh! I LOVE her — heard her on a talk show a year or so ago — forgot who it was — glad you posted her stuff — now I can go get it and possibly win it!
Emma
#53 - Sarah @ 6:41 pm
Cool! I’m definitely going to check her out, and would love to have the sample CD/DVD.
#54 - Amy R. @ 9:06 pm
Sounds great!
#55 - Linsey Knerl @ 10:05 pm
My family loves dancing together! This would be great music for that!
#56 - Casual Friday Everyday @ 12:50 am
I’d love to win.
#57 - Christina @ 8:03 am
Count me in! Thanks!
#58 - Linda SS @ 8:17 am
Thank you for introducing me to Lori McKenna. I’d love to win:)
#59 - Julie Sivley @ 9:13 am
So neat- what a great thing!
#60 - Rachel Bolin @ 9:23 am
Love her songs!
#61 - Charlotte @ 9:43 am
count me in on this one. I would love to listen to her songs.
#62 - Rhonda T. @ 10:36 am
Please enter me! Thanks.
#63 - Karla E. @ 11:36 am
Love the music…and the interview! Thanks for introducing us to her.
#64 - AshleyR @ 2:00 pm
Enter me Please!! I would love to win this!!
#65 - Lisa@Take90West @ 7:30 pm
I loved the songs she wrote for Faith Hill.
I would love to win this!
#66 - Caryn @ 1:02 am
Count me in too!
#67 - Sarah @ 4:04 pm
I would love this!
#68 - Briggie @ 7:33 pm
this sounds wonderful, please count me in. thanks
#69 - Carolyn Sharkas @ 7:45 pm
Wow, she is awesome, I love her music. Thanks
#70 - Christina @ 10:08 am
Please enter me!!!
#71 - Carol Rene' Brown @ 6:16 pm
Love to sample some of her amazing works.
Count Me In!!!!