All About Lori

Story songs, peculiar topics, and songs about obsession - that's what keeps Lori Kelley interested in writing songs. Her genre? Folk, Country, Western, Rock, Pop, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Tropical … get the idea?

Bragging Rights & Brushes with Greatness:

Lori's songs were voted #1 in Northern Virginia Rhythm Magazine's "Top 10 Songs," and #1 Country/Acoustic category. Also, Lori Kelley & Twice Shy was listed as the #1 "Top 20 Best Live Performances" throughout the 1990s. She performs in the Washington, DC, area with local songwriters Cletus Kennelly, Steve Key, and Twice Shy. Lori has shared the stage with Nashville hit songwriters Pat Alger (co-wrote "The Thunder Rolls" with Garth Brooks), Tia Sillers & Mark D. Sanders (Lee Ann Womack's 2001 Song of the Year, "I Hope You Dance"), Mark Selby (co-wrote Dixie Chicks hit "There's Your Trouble"), and Steve Key (Kathy Mattea's "Record Time (33, 45, 78)").

The Life of Lori:

Lori grew up in Arizona, California, and Florida. She learned to play guitar at age 11, and began writing songs as a teenager. Lori attended Broward Community College, Arizona Western College, and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in Music Education with emphasis on vocal performance. Lori's professional career began in New York City in a small band called "Main Squeeze." After starting a family, Lori settled in northern Virginia, and, in 1996, recorded her first CD. "Lori Kelley & Twice Shy - Take Action" includes twelve original songs she performs with her sister, Michelle, and brother-in-law, Butch Nielson.

Soon afterward, Lori moved to Key West, Florida, and quickly found herself at home in the laid-back music scene of the Keys. She became a regular entertainer at the famous watering hole, Capt. Tony's Saloon. While in Key West, Lori recorded an all-original solo CD, entitled "Lori Kelley - With Love From Key West."

Lori returned to northern Virginia in 1999, where she continues her solo acoustic performances and occasional collaborations with local performing songwriters in various Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia locales. She is also working on her next CD, with a release planned in 2003.

You can learn more about Lori or hear her music right here, using her web site. Try the hyperlinks below or the buttons at the top left of each page to find what interests you.