Connie Rae

 I grew up in Seattle in the 70’s  where in my humble opinion the music still stands head and shoulders above any other decade. Listening to such greats as Aretha, Stevie, Marvin, Chaka, Gladys, Al Green, and horn bands like Average White Band, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, The Spinners, Tijuana Brass and Blood Sweat & Tears were authentically raw and truly powerful! This is where my roots were planted and first grew.

 In High School, I was introduced to the music of the great Bonnie Raitt, whose blend of blues and Americana was to me, a perfect combination. The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, America, Carol King, James Taylor brought inspiring song writing and harmonies. I joined a band with my cousin my Junior year singing originals, and booking underage gigs until I graduated. I then relocated to Maui, Hawaii in the early 80’s where I became a member of the house band at the famous Longhi’s in Lahaina playing there on weekends, and up and down Front Street on the week days. In the late 80’s I moved to LA. Sade, Whitney, Basia, Anita Baker and Rickie Lee Jones where soulful influences to me during this era. I was hired for some recording and video projects the first few years, then took time off for marriage and family.

 In the late 90’s my sister Kerin was diagnosed with breast cancer and began intense treatment for the next 3 years. I began to write, record and perform music again with the realization of how fragile life can be. I began getting booked for several Southern California venues including The Coach House and The Galaxy Theater as the opening act for National and International headliners. I recorded a 3 song demo which included one of my first originals songs “Sister Garden” inspired by Kerin. I was able to share the finished recording with my sister just 2 weeks before she passed away January 8, 2001 at the age of 42 and 3 weeks.

 When I turned 42 and 3 weeks old, I stepped into the studio to begin a lifelong dream of recording my first original CD. I was extremely fortunate to create my body of work at the legendary Cherokee Studio’s in LA with owners Dee, Joe and Bruce Robb. Dee and Joe produced and engineered my music; Joe played saxophone. Bruce arranged background vocals and played keys and Hammond organ. The CD was mastered at Capitol Records by Ron McMaster in Hollywood. I entitled the CD Sister Garden in honor of Kerin, whom without her inspiration, I would have never pursued my dream of making music. Two months after releasing Sister Garden I was hired to perform the title track for the American Cancer Society's Annual Gala event. I also began to perform at Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure which I participated in for the next decade.

 Sister Garden featured musicians: 

Guitar: Elliot Easton (The Cars)

Keys: Mike Thompson (The Eagles) 

Drums: Oscar Seaton, Jr. (Lionel Richie) 

Saxophone: Joe Robb (The Robbs)

Hammond Organ: Bruce Robb (The Robbs)

Background Vocals: The Water Sister’s (Everyone in the business)

Bass: Mahlon Hawk (Joshua)

Trumpet: Andre’ Carter (Counting Crows)

Percussion: Bucket Baker (Michael Jackson)

 A few years later I was invited back to Cherokee by the Robb Brothers to record 6 acoustic songs with Terry Medeiros on guitar. Our plan was to create a demo of new tunes I was working on, but by the end of the day the results of the recording produced the EP entitled Come For Me. Each song took 1-3 takes and was mixed that afternoon as we celebrated Dee Robb's birthday. This was the last birthday Dee would celebrate. Eight months later, on January 8th, he was admitted to hospice, a date that was significant for me, as it was the anniversary of my sisters passing. The synchronicity of all these moments connecting loved ones and music feels divinely intertwined. 

 Recently, I went back to Cherokee a third time to track and record overdubs for my second full length CD “Lead Me Back Home” with owner, producer and engineer Bruce Robb. I completed singing and mixing my lead vocals at Love Studios in Laguna Beach with owner and engineer Tommy Benson. 

Lead Me Back Home featured musicians:

Guitar & Pedal Steel: Skunk Baxter (Doobie Brothers)

Guitar: Jim Wilson (Daniel Lanois)

Bass: Larry Antonino (Pablo Cruise)

Drums: Oscar Seaton, Jr. (Lionel Richie) 

Piano: Phil Parlapiano (John Prine)

Trumpet: Mark Pender (Late Night Show)

Saxophone: Ron Dziubla (Joe Bonamassa)

Saxophone: Joe Robb (The Robbs)

Hammond Organ: Bruce Robb (The Robbs)

Percussion: Phil Jones (Tom Petty)