Biography

Cori Connors

 From small but renowned venues such as the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, to Britain’s famous Liverpool Cathedral, Cori Connors carries her fresh voice to audiences worldwide. She has established herself as both a performer and a writer, joining the cluster of singer/songwriters who record their own material but whose works have also been recorded by major artists, earning her platinum status as a songwriter. International superstars such as Linda Ronstadt, Tarja Turunen and Chris LeDoux have recorded songs written by Cori. Her name also appears in song writing credits on dozens of albums, and various artists have performed her songs in concert and on radio and television. An award-winning writer and artist, Cori has received first place honors in international songwriting competitions, the Utah State Governor’s Mansion Artist Award for artistic excellence, the International Family Choice Award and the Parents’ Choice Gold Award.

Cori has recorded 9 albums of original music. Her recordings, described as “filled with songs that are both lovely and thoughtful, soft and penetrating.”  (Deseret News)  and “exquisite” (LA Times), showcase  the reminiscences of a “honey voiced folk singer.” (Parents’ Choice International)

Cori’s newest recording, Blowing Kisses, is a tasteful collection of lullabies. The musicianship is first rate on this recording, employing the finest artists to create a peaceful mix of original and traditional songs that will calm the listener, regardless of age. Blowing Kisses was awarded the Parents’ Choice Gold medal, the highest award given for excellence in audio recordings. Colors is an album of songs commissioned by a pre-school curriculum program. Short catchy songs teach preschoolers about colors. That album received the Family Choice award for excellence in educational recordings. One Small Boy is a follow-up recording to Connors’ popular Holiday recording, Sleepy Little Town. Carol Swanson, writer for the musical web magazine Christmas Reviews.com, says: Cori Connors is an outstanding singer/songwriter who delivers a glorious gift for Christmas; her Sleepy Little Town will awaken memories in you that you thought were long forgotten. Simply wonderful! Her album of original tunes, Pontiac Rocket, is a fond recollection of an American childhood, combined with thoughtful ballads and a bit of humor. “There is a rare eloquence in the lyric,” says one reviewer, “that combines with the resonant yearning in her voice. A remarkable treat.”  Cori was also commissioned to write songs and script for Saints on the Seas, an oratorio, performed throughout Europe and the US in commemoration of the ocean crossing of nearly 90,000 Latter-day Saints in the late 1800’s.  That work was orchestrated by Kurt Bestor and performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and choir. All of Cori’s recordings, as well as stories behind the songs, are available online at www.coriconnors.com. Besides songwriting, her poetry and essays have been published in international magazines.

As an artist, Cori’s honest and intimate performances have created a healthy base of loyal followers. She weaves a pattern of warm reminiscence into each of her performances. She has performed throughout the US, in England and Wales, and was the featured artist on Radio Dublin’s weekly radio folk program. Connors’ music, as one newspaper noted, “…touches a common chord shared by all of us.”

Community minded, Cori and her husband David, a Utah State District Court Judge, have served in various capacities. David served as mayor of Farmington before he was appointed a State District Court Judge by Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. Cori has served as PTA President, teaches community guitar and songwriting classes, and serves on the board of directors of three international arts organizations.

Making their home in the quaint town of Farmington, Utah, Cori and Dave are the parents of four well adjusted children and grandparents to eleven perfect grandchildren.