Lorie Line descending on Fergus Falls

By Lauren Radomski (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, May 5, 2008

When acclaimed pianist Lorie Line comes to Fergus Falls this weekend, she’ll be bringing her friend, Sven. A 10-year veteran of Line’s tours, he’s strong, consistent and one heck of a traveling companion.

He’s also a concert grand piano.

“That is a glorious piano,” Line said of Sven. “That piano is an excellent piano to travel with.”

Line’s Fergus stop comes on the first leg of this year’s “The Intimate Evening Series,” a tour through nearly a dozen Midwestern towns. Now in its fifth year, the tour features Line and her five-member chamber orchestra performing old favorites and new selections from an upcoming CD.

Line says “The Intimate Evening Series” is a nice alternative to her annual Holiday Extravaganza, a big-bucks production that runs from mid-November through late December in over two dozen cities around the country.

“The great thing about this little tour is we can go to smaller cities and smaller stages in more intimate settings,” she said.

Line’s come a long way from the Minneapolis Dayton’s where she had her first full-time performing job in 1988. With encouragement from the shoppers who came to hear her play, the Nevada native later began Lorie Line Music, Inc., and has gone on to record 27 CDs, sell over five million albums and publish over 20 books of music.

Line’s composing and recording takes place in a renovated cabin across from her home on Lake Minnetonka. Known as Studio L, the building is home to state-of-the-art equipment tailored to Line’s liking. Studio L not only makes recording that much more efficient, Line said, but provides a convenient spot to work during the summer months.

“I go to work having a cup of coffee in my hand and it’s at the end of my driveway,” she said.

Line’s latest recording is titled “Heritage Collection, Vol. 4” and features 14 favorite solo piano selections.

“I think my new album is the best album I’ve ever made and it’s the simplest album I’ve ever made,” she said.

As with her other albums, Line’s work on this recording comes from a commitment to giving her best on whatever project she undertakes.

“I just think you can really be happiest as a person if you give 100 percent every time,” she said. “I’m just a student of excellence.”

That philosophy extends to Line’s work with Lorie Line Music, Inc. Line’s Wayzata office includes two full-time and two-part time employees, as well as Line and her business partner and husband of 20 years, Tim.

Line’s sold-out show at A Center for the Arts is scheduled for Friday. More information about Lorie Line is available at www.lorieline.com.