Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorie Line. She shared her story with us below:
Celebrating over 30 years of touring!
Lorie Line was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2015. She joins the ranks with Bob Dylan, Prince, and Judy Garland.
Lorie grew up in Reno, Nevada, and has been playing the piano since age 5. As a child prodigy, she won many annual Statewide piano competitions. Classically trained, she graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a BA in Music and Piano Performance. In 1986, she married Tim Line, moved to Minneapolis, and landed the perfect job, serenading shoppers at the piano for Dayton’s department stores. It was from here that Midwestern fans took notice of her musical talent and style and her career took off.
Since then, Lorie has recorded 65 CDs and has published over 50 books of music. Pianists say she has “changed church music forever” and “just keeps getting better.” She has sold 6 million albums (1 million at Dayton’s, 3 million in a Chex cereal box, and 2 million on her own) and may very well be the most published arranger in modern-day times. She has over 700 songs available to download on Sheet Music Plus/ArrangeMe.
Lorie has just under one million active Lorie Line Pandora Radio listeners. Her music has been streamed 716 million times (two songs have over 100 million spins). She has toured the United States for 33 consecutive years, performing on over 2000 stages. Lorie has never taken one business course but may own one of the largest independent labels in the world. She continues to be the hardest working woman in the show biz, touring and performing about 50 concerts each year.
Over the years, Lorie has produced three television specials for PBS. She’s performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and has played the national anthem for numerous gatherings including the playoffs for the Minnesota Twins. The first “famous” person she entertained in her home was Governor Jesse Ventura. Since then she has played (and cooked) for Presidential candidates, Congressmen, Senators, and more Governors. She has performed for two Presidents and their families (Bill Clinton and George W. Bush) on Friends and Family Day at the White House. She has played at several notable memorial services including Prince (family and friends private service), Kirby Puckett, and her beloved Congressman Jim Ramstad. She has also performed at The Crystal Cathedral (in California) for Hour of Power. In 2002, she was Entrepreneur of the Year for Ernst & Young. She received the Professional Achievement Award from the University of Nevada, Reno (2005).
Her grassroots story has been published in hundreds of news articles and Noah Adams’ 1997 book “Piano Lessons.” Her beautiful home has been featured in numerous national magazines (including the cover of Better Homes & Gardens). Lorie’s glamorous gowns have been showcased in museums and she may own one of the largest private costume collections in the country.
Fans love her blogs as she shares personal stories of inspiration quarterly (posted on her website). She loves to cook and has been published in Betty Crocker’s Holiday Cooking With Friends. She has recently taken on a new venture and now hosts a dozen private concerts (The Living Room Series) where “super fans” come from all over the world to spend the evening with her and see her perform on her stage in her own home.
Lorie has been married to her business partner, Tim (alias Santa) for 37 years. Over the years they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities. In 2023, they will be launching The Tim and Lorie Line Foundation (a dream come true!). They are both active gardeners and Lorie has been a member of the Wayzata Garden Club for over 20 years.
Tim and Lorie have two adult children and are now empty nesters. They have resided on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota for 27 years.
DISCOGRAPHY
The Heritage Collection, Volume XI – October, 2023
The Heritage Collection, Volume Ten – August, 2022
A Contemporary Christian Christmas – November, 2021
The Heritage Collection, Volume Nine – February, 2021
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book Eight – November, 2020
The Complete Book, Heritage One – October, 2020
The 30th Anniversary Celebration – November, 2019
We’re Gonna Win, Twins! – October, 2019
On, Wisconsin! – October, 2019
Cranes for Eliana – August 2019
ROCK STAR – June, 2019
LORD OF LORDS – November, 2018
Take Me Out To The Ball Game – September, 2018
SKOL VIKINGS – September, 2018
No Worries – August, 2018 (2nd Edition Released August, 2020)
KING OF KINGS – October, 2017
The Heritage Collection, Volume Eight – September, 2017
Practice, Practice, Practice, Book Seven – August, 2017
A Merry Little Christmas – November, 2016
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book Six – November, 2015
Christmas In The City – October, 2015
The Heritage Collection, Volume Seven – May, 2015
The 25th Anniversary Christmas Special – October, 2014
The Early Years – March, 2014
Born In Bethlehem – October, 2013
Come Together – March, 2013
Immanuel – October, 2012
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book Five – September, 2012
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book Four – April, 2012
The Heritage Collection, Volume Six – March, 2012
Christmas Bells Are Ringing! – November, 2011
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book Three – September, 2011
Vogue – March, 2011
Making Spirits Bright – October, 2010
Serendipity – August, 2010
The 20th Anniversary Edition – October, 2009
The Heritage Collection, Volume V – May, 2009
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book Two – March, 2009
Christmas Around The World – October, 2008
Crazy – July, 2008
The Heritage Collection, Volume IV – February, 2008
The Glory of Christmas – October, 2007
The Traditions of Christmas – October, 2006
Practice, Practice, Practice! Book One – March, 2006
My Favorite Things – November, 2005
Now and Then – October, 2005
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – November, 2004
Young At Heart – September, 2004
Sharing the Season, Volume Four – 2002
The Heritage Collection, Volume III – 2002
The Show Stoppers – 2001, retired
The Silver Album – 2000, retired
Just Me – 2000, retired
Simply Grand – 1999
The Heritage Collection, Volume II – 1998
Open House – 1997
Home for the Holidays – 1997, specialty project, retired
Music from the Heart – 1997
Lorie Line Live! – 1996, retired
Sharing the Season, Volume III – 1995, retired
Heart and Soul – 1995, retired
The Heritage Collection, Volume I – 1994
Walking With You – 1993, retired
Sharing the Season, Volume II – 1993, retired
Beyond A Dream – 1992, retired
Threads of Love – 1992
Sharing the Season, Volume I – 1991, retired
Storyline – 1990, retired
Out of Line – 1989, retired
DVD / PUBLIC TELEVISION SPECIALS
The Glory Of Christmas, 2008, retired
A White Christmas with Lorie Line – 2001, retired
Lorie Line Live! – 1996, retired.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The music business has changed over the years. The first biggest challenge was in 2012 when all the music stores closed and everything went to streaming. We went from making $15/CD to making 1/1000 of a penny if a song got played via streaming. Overnight, music stores closed and we had to figure out how to survive not selling music in the typical retail world.
Next, the 2020 pandemic. The entire touring business shut down and we had to figure out once again how to survive with no touring income and an uncertainty of when we would be able to work again.
The music business is not a smooth road. If you are an independent label, you risk it all every day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In the early years, fans wanted to play music (the piano) like me. Where most pianists are “readers”, I am an “inventor” and I have a very strong audio side of my brain. Whereas most pianists read the music to play it, I make it up. Then, I play it into a computer and write it all down, engrave it, and sell it so that fans can play the music “just like Lorie Line.”
My publishing wing of business has saved us over the years. It is one of the most successful areas of what I do. My goal is to be the most published pianist (of arrangements) in modern-day times. Right now, I have almost 800 songs you can download and play that are my own Lorie Line arrangements.
Because of this, Lorie Line Music now has intellectual properties that will be profitable for many, many years.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband Tim has partnered with me the entire way. Where I love to create and run the artistic side of things, he manages all the systems and all the administration. I could not have done this without him by my side.
We’ve been married for 37 years and have worked together the entire time.
Pricing:
- Music Books $35
- CDs $15
- Sheet Music $7
- Concert Tickets $60
- Virtual Concert $30
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lorieline.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallorieline
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552389276972
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAqCB9bkHogt5FLcXWk7e_w
- Other: https://www.pandora.com/artist/lorie-line/AR6q7J7ZJdVl3fX
