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“Singing for the Lord is my passion,” says gospel singer Lori Long. “Jesus Christ was born to save us – and sharing that message with others is the greatest blessing. I sing for Him, to give and share hope through my songs.”
LORI & CAMDEN 9-2008
The Amazing Voice
Listen to Lori Long speak for the first time, and you hear a very calming, sweet, soft voice – just what you might expect coming from a young woman with All-American good looks who was voted FFA Sweetheart in high school. But when she begins to sing, the voice is deep and mellow, rich and soulful - so powerful, it’s been said, that it can fill a sanctuary or shake the rafters.
Lori discovered music at age 5, singing at church and at home. That’s not surprising, considering she comes from a musical family. Her grandpa, the late Kenneth King, entertained the troops singing country and gospel during WWII. Her mother, Judy, whose family came from Gilmer County WV, and her dad, David, whose family came from LaGrange, OH, play piano and trumpet respectively. Both have beautiful voices, and served as church choir directors. Brother David sings too, and plays the guitar and fiddle. The family often gathered around the piano at home, singing “all the great hymns,” like Blessed Assurance,” “Victory in Jesus” and “Amazing Grace,” which is one of her favorites to perform today.
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A Farm Girl at Heart
Lori counts her family as her greatest mentors and influences. She cites her grandparents as strong people of faith and courage, who have always set a great example for their grandchildren. They include her mother’s mother, Rosalie King, and the late Kenneth King, who was captured and tortured by Hitler’s army in WWII, as well as her paternal grandparents, Ruth Long, who taught at West Carlisle School, and the late Wilmot Long. But it was her parents, Dave and Judy Long, who most influenced her life. “They are my greatest heroes. My parents gave us a foundation to stand on, and taught us about Jesus Christ by living his example.”
Lori attended Open Door Christian School in Elyria, and Elyria First Baptist School, and graduated from Keystone High School. Growing up on a dairy farm in northern Ohio, she helped the family milk and raise Holsteins, plant and harvest corn, soybeans and hay, and grow and can their own their own fruits and vegetables. “Being raised on a farm was the very best experience to have had,” says Lori. “Talk about reaping what you sow! Milking day and night, driving tractors, planting, plowing, pulling calves. It was a team effort, and a blessing to work with my family.”
“When times got rough,” she says, “God has always seen us through. Farming is God’s best teacher to appreciate everything He’s made. It teaches you a lot of things, including patience!” she adds.
Other influences in her life and music include gospel singers and songwriters Martha Carson and Dottie Rambo. Growing up, she was captivated by the mother-daughter team the Judds. She and her friend Kelly won a talent contest at Keystone High performing as the duo. “I still admire them today,” says Lori. “They are women of faith and courage.”
Faith and courage are part of the message Lori hopes her music sends to young women today. She worries about lack of role models and violence, and hopes that she can set an example that is good to “be strong in a ladylike way, and that it can be “totally cool to worship God.”
Lori and her Husband, Eric both grew up on dairy farms 10 minutes apart and never met until 30 years later but God's Amazing Grace brought them together in His time and blessed them with a miracle son, Camden. Lori and Eric live on a farm in Oberlin, Ohio with their two Australian Shepherds, Bandit and Coco.
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Where She Takes Her Message
“I perform wherever the Lord sends me,“ says Lori. She travels nationally as well as sings in churches, festivals, fairs, luncheons, funerals, memorial services and nursing homes, among other venues. She also sings the National Anthem at events.
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What they say about The Amazing Voice
"I enjoyed working with Lori on her CD and found her to be very professional along with a great personality and loaded with talent " - David Frizzell, Nashville Recording Artist /Song Writer
“Lori has a unique and very beautiful voice. It is low, mellow, with a Blues-like quality. She is very soothing to listen to – it seems like a gift anointed from God.” - Anonymous
"Lori Long is an incredible artist of the instrument of vocal performance. Her strong contralto voice is beyond any that I have heard in over 25 years of teaching people to improve their vocal technique. There is a depth and intense broadness to her vocal style that surpasses any that I have ever heard in her register. Lori truly has the annointing of The Holy Spirit in her voice and moves our souls deeply and profoundly. It has been and honor and a blessing to work with such a gifted artist as Lori." - Brenda Cufarri - Singer / Songwriter and Vocal Instructor
“I had the pleasure of hearing Lori sing during this past Christmas season at a local church. The first thought that went through my mind was, that was a lot of sound coming from such a small person! It was a wonderful surprise! Her voice was hauntingly beautiful. I was moved by the sound of Lori's voice singing the Christmas songs I have heard and loved all of my life. She is a truly a gifted and talented vocalist, I am grateful and fortunate I had the opportunity to be in attendance that evening.” - Debi K.
“Lori Long is that special someone who touches your heart and moves your soul with her singing. Her rich, mellow voice can fill a sanctuary or shake the rafters. The deep tone and intensity of her voice will soothe the very core of your being.” - Jackie G.
"She has a wonderful voice,delightful style and most importantly a vibrant appreciation for the Lord expressed through her music." - John D. Beckett, Chairman / R.W.Beckett Corporation and author of “Loving Monday”
“Lori’s range and easy style handle a wide variety of music with ease. Her strong reassuring voice and message bring joy, peace and beauty to her listener. Her voice has a quality and richness you will want to experience again and again.” - Robin Y.
"When you first meet Lori, she has such a soft spoken voice. Once she begins to sing, her voice is so soulful and so full of magic. Her voice becomes so deep and so moving. The word to describe Lori's voice is moving. When Lori sings she moves you...when she sings for a memorial service...you can't help but cry when she sings." - Nicole F.
"Lori's singing voice is nothing like I have ever heard before...It is absolutley beautiful and heartfelt..her voice always puts tears in my eyes and I mean that in a good way..when people hear Lori talk they think her voice is going to be very high and quiet but when she starts belting it out it is deep,dominate, but soothing voice...I absolutely love to hear Lori sing." - Kelly H.
"Lori is an amazing, sensitive and beautiful Christian woman who has a unique and gifted voice; a type of voice that is rarely heard. To hear her speak with her quiet and soft conversational voice is one thing but when she sings you have to do a double take to make sure there is not more than one of her singing. Her voice is heart felt, passionate, resonant and strong; it evokes emotion from the listener as it emanates from the depth of Lori's inner most being as she articulates the words of her songs. She is a captivating and seasoned performer who will absolutely delight her audience as they experience her gift of song. Lori is definitely the genuine article." - Mitch Tabol
“You meet and talk to Lori and she has this very polite, sweet and soft-spoken voice......then she performs and you are blown away with this booming, soulful, inspirational and amazing sound!” - Jackie G.
Every quarter Welcome Nursing Home invites residents and families to a memorial service. We celebrate our relationships, of those who have recently past, through prayers, messages and song. Lori Long is the key to it's beauty and success. Professionally, she looks fabulous. She arrives early to set up equipment enabling her to greet people as they come in. Spiritually, she shares her amazing voice through a variety of Gospel songs both during and after the service. Our Residents have come to love Lori and look forward to her return because she takes the time to hold their hand. The key to her performance ..... you can see, feel and hear her emotion when she sings. She engages the audience and their emotion.....we cry and we smile,... we sing and we heal. If you are a part of any activity / event planning....It's hard to summarize the impact she has on her audience.....you have to see it to believe it. Lori is a “MUST HAVE” - Robin Yeager C.T.R.S., Welcome Nursing Home, Activity Director
"Lori is an amazing person, with a beautiful, rich, alto voice. You don't expect that voice to come out of
that little gal ! Lori sings from her soul, and has a God given talent she is meant to share. I have enjoyed working at numerous events with Lori and hope to do more concerts in the future!" - Logan Wells, Singer / Songwriter / National Recording Artist
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