BIO Lori Dreier’s voice - described by Fort Worth Weekly as “misty, come-hither… enough to make a fleet of soldiers stand up and salute”—has been captivating audiences for more than 30 years. Lori Dreier Band music is vocally driven, harmony-rich, and steeped in the soul of Americana. As a farmer’s daughter from Kansas, beneath wide skies and on gravel roads, where Sunday mornings meant singing hymns with harmony at church. Later, Dreier was influenced by the sunny hot heat of Fort Worth, Texas, the influence of Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams and the grit that shaped her voice as a songwriter—vulnerable, raw, and rich with heart ache and playfulness of life.
Now based on Bainbridge Island, WA, Lori has teamed up with a talented band of friends that brings her songs to new life. The full lineup features violin, electric guitar, accordion, upright bass, and percussion—adding layers of texture while keeping the focus on melody and vocal harmony. You will hear a little bit of Texas swing, a little hymn sing harmonies, a little Americana, and a lot of FUN folk rock!
Drawing comparisons to Brandi Carlile, Eilen Jewell, and Patty Griffin, Lori’s songwriting is both intimate and universal—songs about tractors, waking up with the sun, sunsets, water baths, farmers, and everything in between. Lori’s songs have been heard in coffeehouses, churches, bars, theaters, and festivals across the U.S.
Whether it’s a swing tune, a dusty ballad, or a front-porch folk toetapper, Lori Dreier Band music invites listeners in with warmth, grit, and a voice you won’t forget.
“Wherever she plays, audiences immediately warm up to her soulful voice and charismatic stage presence."--Fort Worth Weekly
Lori Dreier Band Tunes
Discography
Lori’s first album release
A Girl And A Guitar
Lori’s second album release
And The Story Goes Like This
3rd album
Waiting
Martini & 3 Olives is one of my original songs borrowing lyric lines from some of the recorded songs performed by the greats Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. I became very familiar with Frank Sinatra "Ol' Blue Eyes" and Dean Martin "The King of Cool" tunes while listening to the Hip Parade on the radio in my mom's kitchen on Saturday mornings while we were cleaning house. I was joined with Kevin Grove on bgvs and guitar, Dace Sultanov on cello and Shelly Huffman on bgvs and Kahon. Thank you to Mary Brown for capturing this video! Thank you Bel Air Music Showcase for hosting us! @LoriDreierMusic @BelAirMusicShowcase
“My songs reflect the universal themes of life with its joys, sorrows, good times and difficult times, faith and disbelief.” - Lori
Lori Dreier, is a vocalist, songwriter and rhythm guitarist. Lori's creativity has led her to an easy, soulful vocal style with folk/rock influences and Texas/Kansas roots. In 2002 Lori was named Best Folk Artist of the Year for Fort Worth Weekly's Music Awards, an honor for which she has been consistently nominated for a number of years. Born and raised in Newton, Kansas, Dreier is a true Midwest farmer’s daughter. Coming from a culture rich in Mennonite tradition, small town ease, farm living and family heritage, Lori brings a unique take to life that enriches her songwriting.
Songs like "Sunlight & Sparkely,” “Desire,” “ Tractor" and "Ten Million" are emblematic of her style.
Lori began writing songs in high school, with her first song being published in 1991 while she was attending college at Kansas State University. For the last several years, her day job involves event marketing for the Star-Telegram in Fort Worth, Texas. Currently, Lori has taken on a job as a cook and office manager at Hesston College in Hesston, KS.
Before moving back home to Kansas Lori spent 7 years living on Bainbridge Island in WA. There she played and sang in a band called Chele’s Kitchen where she was influenced by bluegrassish music. Also, Lori toured with a trio in Nashville, played in a swing band called Sound Therapy, and toured for a year with the Spurrlows, performing standards and show tunes.
Her musical foundation included three or four years of classical training in voice. Musically speaking, Lori is powerfully drawn to raw, original music and the craft of songwriting..she focuses on creating what her nieces call “Lori Songs” and that suits her quite well. She has been influenced by: Buffy Saint Marie, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Larry Norman, Patti Griffin, and classical voice teachers: Virginia Minninger, Katherine Casper, and Janelle Kreible. Simple coffeehouses, festivals and small theater venues are her venues of choice, and she has been performing at these spots since 1996. Places you may have heardor seen Lori perform would include:
Carriage Factory, Newton, KS
Hesston College, Hesston, KS
Mojo’s, Newton, KS
Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Dallas, TX
Wreck Room, Fort Worth, TX
Coffee Haus, Fort Worth, TX
Club Clearview, Dallas, TX
Four Star Coffee Bar, Fort Worth, TX
Poor David’s Pub, Dallas, TX
Tommy’s, Fort Worth, TX
Benefits and Pottery Guilds, Fort Worth, TX
Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival, Fort Worth, TX
Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX
Upcoming Shows
Lavender Farm To Table 8/10/24 Bainbridge Island, WA
Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network BARN 8/10/24 2-4 PM Bainbridge Island, WA