Lori Yates

CDBABY LINK for LORI YATES: The Book of Minerva -



Lori Yates has been called a national treasure. As one of the pioneers of roots music in Canada her music can be described as pure "Canadiana" a mixture of country/cowpunk/folky/bluegrass.



Born in Oshawa Ontario, raised in the Toronto suburb of Downsview, Lori is a "first generation mall babe" having spent her formative years running wild in the aisles of Yorkdale Mall. Her early influences were: Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Tanya Tucker and Suzi Quattro.



Lori began singing and writing at 19 in the punk/new wave band "The Last Resorts". They played legendary T.O. clubs: The Turning Point and Larry's Hideaway. A career highlight for the band was opening for Teenage Head.



Lori then formed Rang Tango. They are considered one of the pioneers of alt. country/cowpunk in Canada. They came out of the fertile Queen West music scene of the mid "80's that gave birth to Blue Rodeo, Cowboy Junkies, and Handsome Ned.



Scooped up as a solo artitst by Sony Nashville, "Can't Stop the Girl" was released worldwide in 1989. She toured with: Dwight Yoakum, Steve Earle, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Big Sugar.

One of her first introductions to Nashville was a 2 a.m. demo session at Cowboy Jack Clement's studio which was produced by Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline, Johnny Cash - Live at San Quentin). Marty Stuart played mandolin and Roy Husky Jr. played stand-up bass. Bob Johnston used Dylan demos to "tweak" the board.

While in Nashville, Lori had a chance to co-write with legendary writers: Don Schiltz, Guy Clark, Matraca Berg and Wendy Waldman.

Lori recorded a duet in Los Angeles with Gregg Allman (Allman Bros.) for a Patrick Swayze movie "Next of Kin" produced by David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman).



In 1993, Lori signed to VirginMusicCanada and released "Breaking Point" a collection of roots, rock and soul. Produced by Colin Linden and John Whynot and recorded at Bearsville, Woodstock NY. She was joined by the legendary Rick Danko (the Band) and Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo) on vocals. She toured with Blue Rodeo, Jan Arden, Colin James and Faith Hill. Lori was nominated for a Juno and CCMA award.



In 1996, she released her second VirginMusicCanada CD "Untogether" which was a complete artistic departure. She teamed up with trip-hop trio Opium Concepts to create an ethereal soundscape.



Returning to her roots, Hey Stella! was formed in 1998. The release of their debut CD, garnished them 1 band in NOW Magazine's readers poll. The band was formed with stellar veteran players: Bazil Donovan, David Baxter and Michelle Josef. Hey Stella! continue to be active on the club and festival circuit.



In 2001, Lori and her family moved to Hamilton, Ontario. She took up a residency at the "Corktown" playing solo acoustic. This inspired a prolific period of songwriting that harkens in the newest chapter of Lori's musical career. She also had the good fortune of meeting up with Buckshot Bebe, Chris Houston, Jimmy Vapid and Cleave Anderson to form trash/pop band: the Evelyn Dicks.

She is currently working on her 6th CD. Recording an acoustic based cd of her hardcore old school country originals with Michael Birthelmer in Hamilton and David Baxter in Toronto



Discography



Hey Stella! 1999 - Independent

Untogether 1996 - VirginMusicCanada

Breaking Point 1994 - VirginMusicCanada

Can't Stop the Girl 1989 - Sony Music

Rang Tango 1987 - Independent



Out of the Blue - An Acoustic Tribute to Neil Young - Sony Music

Forever Knight - Original Television Soundtrack

The Hanging Garden - Soundtrack

Next of Kin - Original Soundtrack

Leslie Spit Tree-o - Hell's Kitchen

The Lucky Ones - Willlie P. Bennett

South at Eight, North at Nine - Colin Linden

Classic Country - Volume 5. Sony Music