CONNIE RAE
Singer Songwriter
With a voice that ranges from soothing and sultry to a powerhouse of emotion, Connie Rae Knapp has been recognized for her vocal talent, writing ability, and effortless self promotion.
Traditionally rhythm and blues, her style is universal enough to have shared the stage with Grammy Award winning and nominated artist's ranging from jazz to rock, blues to country.
Since November 2002, her short but impressive career includes being the opening act for such legendary musicians as Leon Russell, Diane Schuur, Dwight Yoakam, Eddie Money, Dennis Quaid, John Mayall, Robben Ford, John Hammomd, Andy Summers of The Police, Colin Hay of Men At Work, Savoy Brown, Coco Montoya, Walter Trout, Shemekia Copeland, Tuck and Patti, Lou Gramm of Forienger, Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, and Solomon Burke Jr.
She has also been asked to open for Average White Band, Marcia Ball, The Zombies, John Waite, Johnny Winter, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Dave Mason, Willy Porter, A.J Croce, Ben Taylor, Richard Elliot, Jeffery Gaines, GE Smith of SNL, Alison Brown and The Flying Other Brother's.
Connie Rae independently financed her album in 2004 choosing to record at the famous Cherokee Studios in LA. The owners for the past 40 years Dee, Joe and Bruce Robb were hired to engineer and produce her work. Their client list includes the likes of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Al Green, Quincy Jones, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power to name a few. Her CD was mastered at Capitol Records as the 20 page CD booklet was created by Connie Rae and Elizabeth Etienne. "Sister Garden" was released in November of 2005. All ten songs were written by Connie Rae.
The talent brought in to participate on the CD were:
Elliot Easton~ Lead guitarist for The Cars on guitar
Mike Thompson~ Keyboardist for Don Henley and The Eagles
Oscar Seaton~ Drummer for George Benson, Lionel Richie, Ramsey Lewis, Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn
Bucket Baker~ Percussionist with Macy Gray, Kenny Loggins
Andre' Carter~ Featured with The Counting Crows on trumpet
Joe Robb~ From The Robb's on saxophone
Bruce Robb~ From The Robb's on B3 organ
Mahlon Hawk~ Formally of Joshua on bass
The Water Sister's~ Who have graced every album from The Stones to Willy Nelson on background vocals.
Eight tracks of Connie Rae's original music have been included on seven separate compilation CD's for various promotional and fund raising projects. She was asked to perform live on television for the Mayor and City Council of Irvine, volunteered her time and talent for The American Cancer Society, entertained the Veterans for the Los Angeles annual VA Event, performed at Angel Stadium in Anaheim California, and has become a regular act at the notorious Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, at the Long Beach Aquarium and Martini Blues in Huntington Beach California.
Her desire to bring music to her listener is in hopes they will find inspiration through the power of music, to enjoy and celebrate life, and to believe that their dreams can become realities.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS 2004
Nominated for Best Country
ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS 2005
Nominated for Best Blues
ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS 2005
Asked to compete for Best Band
ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS 2006
Finalist for Best Band
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MUSIC AWARDS 2006
Nominated for Best Blues
All photographs courtesy of Elizabeth Etienne Photography copyright 2006
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