Laurie's bio
photo by Kathie FaucheauxSinger-songwriter:
Started singing at age 4, performing at age 6.
Has written, recorded and produced and/or co-produced 5 CDs:
Old Fashion Love
Ride My Blues Away
Heart Strings
Peace Begins with Me
Harness The Wind
We'd Rather be Streamin'
Produced and sang in two music videos:
HOT, demo for a hockey clubThe One Light Project, charity project, 2-song single and video
Also:
* Professionally modelled, tv commercials and radio jingles 1982-1990
* Toured as an opening act in early 90's for:
Lacy J Dalton, Mel Mcdaniel and Bill Anderson
* Performed Duet with Ferlin Husky at the Tacoma Dome
Laurie singing with her mom, Darlene Little at a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina Victim
Here's her story:
Laurie Lee Little
Laurie Lewis started out as Laurie Little, in the foothills of Deming, Washington. Her parents, Jack and Darlene, were both active musicians. Both had their own bands at different times. There house was always full of music, jam sessions and gatherings.
Before Laurie was born, Jack, had a band called Ridge Runners. Jack was known for his huge, deep voice that needed no amplification. Still today, Jack will surprise folks with his old Gibson guitar, cowboy hat, and big voice.
"The two women who inspired Laurie"
Mom, Darlene Little and Loretta Lynn
Darlene performed in the local clubs and honky tonks, where she met and became friends with Loretta Lynn, who lived out in Blaine with her husband, Mooney. Often, which ever gal would get finished first with their gig, would head over to the other's and enjoy the music.
When Loretta recorded her first album and toured with Johnny Cash, Darlene filled in for Loretta's gigs. At a cross roads of career directions, Loretta once asked Darlene if she was going to join her in Nashville. Here, is where Darlene drew the line and said her family came first. And it did!
Laurie has memories of the cookie baking, food canning, nurturing mama, that, instead of being on the road, was there for every scrape, tear and tummy ache. Financially, times were extremely hard much of her childhood, but she had her family under one roof and for this, she is so grateful.
Darlene and Loretta have remained friends through the years.
Through the years,when Loretta was in the Northwest, Laurie's family would go hear her perform and be allowed to go back stage. Several times, Loretta told Darlene that she had made the right choice about staying home with her family. The road life was so hard and you were no longer your own.
Loretta's magical kiss:
At one particular concert, back stage, the Little's walked up to greet Loretta. Suddenly Laurie's feet would not move. Star struck, there she stood, grinning at Loretta, but not moving. Loretta finally came up to her and in her wonderful accent said, Your mama says you sing and wanna be a country singer when you grow up!" With a big smile, Loretta leaned over and kissed Laurie on the cheek and said, "Maybe that'll help!"
Walking out of the theatre that night, Laurie was on cloud nine! Still holding her cheek, she suddenly squealed out: "Mom, look!" There Laurie stood holding a tooth in her hand. A big moler! That moment confirmed to young Laurie, that Loretta Lynn had magical powers!
Apparently the kiss helped. Laurie had already been singing with her mom and dad since age 5, harmonizing and writing her own songs. She started singing all the solos from first grade through high school, but hadn't felt comfortable truly on her own until after graduation.
Laurie Haynes
Laurie married right out of school and became Laurie Haynes. She went on to performed at weddings and would jump up in clubs and sing a bit with bands. But still, fear had a hold on Laurie. The gift of music still hadn't hit. It seemed it was always someone asking her or telling her to sing. Instead of pursuing a singing career she side-stepped into another career that brought her at least as much fear, but she pushed through it. Laurie went into professional modelling, tv commercials and print. It wasn't until she was asked to sing a few radio jingles, that she was bit by the bug of recording in studios.
With a divorce in 1985, supporting herself with part time modelling, much of her time was spent working odd jobs that she could find.
It wasn't until 1988, when a friend offered to help with financing a recording, that Laurie decided to record her own songs on an album titled OLD FASHION LOVE. Dedicating it to her grandparents (Darlene's parents) and their 54 years of being married. Sadly, her grampa never heard the album, for he died 4 days after their anniversary.
The release of that album opened a few doors. Laurie sent a single throughout the US and received modest airplay.
In 1990, Laurie recorded a second album titled: Ride My Blues Away. This time she sent a single, Magenta Rose, to Europe and received even more airplay. This album opened an unbelievable door.
A local concert promoter happened to be producing a huge concert at the Tacoma Dome for a New Year's eve bash, that included 8 Nashville entertainers, including Reba McIntire. This promoter heard about Laurie through a friend who worked at local TV station. When he heard her new project he immedately wanted to sign her for management. A bit skeptical of this person, Laurie said she would sign a contract if he could prove he was for real. He did! He set up the opportunity for Laurie to perform a duet with one of the guest performers at the Tacoma Dome. It was veteran country legand Ferlin Husky! Laurie was asked to sing the duet, Dear John, with him. The night of the concert, the two literally shook hands in a locker room, Ferlin hummed a bit of the song, Laurie sang about 10 words, and Ferlin said "Great, see you tonight!" Terrified, back stage, there Laurie stood waiting for Ferlin to introduce her in front of 16,000 people. Her biggest concern was actually tripping on the mic chord! When her name was called, she was welcomed by cheers she could not believe. It wasn't until a month later, that Laurie's dad was recalling how folks stood up. Laurie never knew!
Laurie hit the road as an opening act for several country stars, including Lacy J Dalton, Mel McDaniel, Bill Anderson. Within of few months however, Laurie realized there was something fishy and unethical about this promoter. As a very sad, heart-wrenching decision, she followed her gut and ended the tour and working with this person. It meant not being about to tour with Reba McIntire or open for Garth Brooks in Canada. Many tears fell, but her gut spoke loudly and she held firm to this intuition. It was right! Reba's tour was cancelled, not by the promoter but by the horrible plane crash that killed Reba's band. The concert with Garth took place but that is where the chips fell. Laurie learned that right after the concert, the promoter took the money and ran! Many people did not get paid. He disappeared!
A year passed. Laurie wrote many new songs, but did not perform. She moved to Branson, Missouri to check out the music scene there. One night, about 1 AM, a song came to her in it's entirety, while she was sleeping! A song called ONE LIGHT. Laurie got up and recorded the song on an old recorder then went back to bed. The next morning, she hit play, curious about the weird dream she had had about Audrey Hepburn talking to her and something to do with One Light. There, on the recorder, sat the whole song! Finished! All about oneness, love, and making a difference. That afternoon, Laurie was doubly hit with a surprise, when she turned on the news and saw that Ms. Audrey Hepburn had died that very morning around the time she drempt ONE LIGHT!
Blown away by this, she believed she was suppose to move back to the Northwest, record this song, start a non-profit organizaion and make a video. So, she did! For the next year, she focused on raising money for charities, and had the privelege of recording her song with terrific local people.
Laurie's next adventure came in 1995 when she formed a fun, family country band called Heart Strings with 3 local, terrific musicians, all from a different styles. For the next year, the four performed locally, festivals and 1 concert to Montana. Keeping families and balance became a load for each and they opted to disband.
A strange turn of events happened when Laurie was hired as an extra in a movie filmed in Bellingham. The director asked why she wasn't in Seattle or Portland doing more music and film.
Curious about Portland and a change, she checked it out and found a receptionist job just outside of Portland. Having a high school friend living there and offering to let her live there opened the door, she moved.
Instead of jumping into the movie and music scene, something totally opposite happened. Laurie met a man named Wes Lewis. Also a musician. There voices and hearts harmonized immediately and before she could catch her breath, the two found themselves getting married and finding out they were going to be parents!
Laurie Lewis
Now, Laurie Lewis, began getting calls and email from music folk asking if she was the Laurie Lewis on Rounder Records, singing Bluegrass. Laurie laughed each time she would get asked, as she toted around a huge pregnant belly!
Wes and Laurie focused on their own music and new little daughter Callie for several years. Laurie wrote twice as many songs as she had before. Becoming a mama was the most powerful experience she had had. It made the whole Tacoma Dome concert and all her passed pale in comparrision.
It wasn't until three days before 9-11, that Laurie's musical desires to possibly perform again, occured.
The Lewis trio lived on a beautiful 11 acre farm North of Portland in Camas, WA. One afternoon, while Laurie and Wes packed for a camping trip, Laurie kept hearing a new melody in her head as she hummed Peace Begins with Me. With the message: To heal the world I must see, Peace Begins with Me. They went camping. Laurie told Wes she felt something horrible was going to happen. She was right. 9-11 followed. A few days later, through a dream after seeing so much tv footage, Laurie awoke to a song called Courageous Hearts. All about the heroes who helped.
Summer Lee
Laurie got the message that she should record these songs and assemble a CD to raise money for the 9-11 relief. She did. It was during this pinnacle time of deciding to re-enter the music world that Laurie decided to change her singing name to Summer Lee, to end the confusion of the two singers.
This was very hard to do. But, for the next 4 years, Summer Lee performed with her husband in their duo they called Calico Hearts. It was always difficult for Wes to remember to say Summer. They would laugh later, but often the audience would be a bit confused!
Laurie Lee Lewis
In 2005, Laurie and little Callie moved up from the Camas to be near her family. Wes would join them on the weekends, unable to leave his high-tech job at the time.
It was here, Laurie decided to go back to Lewis to sing. Only, she opted to leave her middle name Lee in hopes to bring clarity.
Wes finally joined his family in 2006 and now, as Calico Hearts the "THREE" are performing. Now, little 8-year-old Callie sings as their special guest and often steals the show! The three live back in deming, and just down the road from gramma and grampa, Jack and Darlene Little and frequently play music together! Knowing this precious time will not last forever, they are grateful they moved back home!
So that's the scoop on Laurie Lee Little, Haynes, Summer Lee, Lewis!
