For those who have long known of Laurie’s tremendous musical talent, the impatiently-awaited release of her debut album was vindication of that fact.  Now the world has the opportunity to get acquainted with a voice that is indisputably amazing, and at the same time a life story that is truly inspirational.

Call It A Feeling is the culmination of a gift for music that surfaced very early in life.  Her grandmother, also a musician, recalls singing to Laurie in the bassinet, and being startled at her special interest in music.  It was an interest far beyond what might have been expected of a small child.  Tape recordings began at age 3, with Laurie singing old hymns and folk songs before she could even read.  Her astonishing ability to always be on pitch, to catch a melody and even harmonize with very little practice was unmistakable.

Laurie’s father, Clark, played the guitar and wrote songs as a hobby.  He too recognized his daughter’s special gift, and together with her mother Sharon, got Laurie into piano lessons as soon as she could reach the keyboard.  But it wasn’t the classical pieces of Bach, Chopin or Beethoven that captured her interest.  Clearly, traditional teaching methods were not going to work with a child that would bargain with her piano teacher to practice the standards only if she could also learn the latest country or pop song.  Laurie regularly began her lessons by first showing off the new chords she’d learned over the weekend by listening to a new country song and then playing it with her dad.  The reward of being allowed to learn songs playing on the radio kept her invested in singing, taking piano lessons and practicing.  That commitment has truly paid off.

Tragically, Laurie and her family endured the loss of her father in an auto accident when she was just 10 years old.  The loss caused Laurie to shut down emotionally for an extended period of her life.  She recalls going through the motions but feeling numb to the world, not wanting to allow herself to feel the kind of pain she knew would be unbearable.  Laurie’s feelings poured out 10 years later when she sat down at the piano in the basement of her college dorm ready to face what she knew she could no longer avoid.  Her original composition “Okay to Cry” was born.  

This song will immediately remind anyone of a loved one lost and grant permission to let hidden feelings emerge, something that is not always easy to do.  Laurie has recognized this not only in her own life, but also in her career.  As a child and family therapist, she continues to work with youth who've struggled with loss.  She believes it is her life's calling to serve and hopes to do this by incorporating two abiding passions, sharing her music and simultaneously helping others. 

Although being the featured female performer in the Kansas City Band Hollowpointe, Laurie has nevertheless always considered her music primarily a hobby.   The pursuit of a performing career never really crossed her mind.  Those that had the opportunity to experience her astounding voice knew better.
As fate would have it, Laurie reconnected with a former childhood friend, Dusty Workman, who was connected in the Nashville community.  Dusty lived on the same street as Laurie growing up but the two had since lost touch.  Years later, the two were reunited when Dusty learned of Laurie's musical talents through a mutual friend.  After hearing her perform, Dusty knew immediately that Laurie’s talent was beyond something special.  Meeting his producer in Nashville would be the next step.  That connection resulted in Laurie being introduced to some of Nashville's most astounding musicians and songwriters.  Call It a Feeling, an amazing debut CD, is the result.  No longer is music a simple hobby, nor is pursuing a performing career a fleeting thought.  This is a talent that is just too good to remain a secret.