Whether it’s her soaring power vocals, gut-wrenching songwriting style or take-no-prisoners live show, Laura McCormick proved this past year that she has the fierce set of pipes necessary to compete in today’s southern rock scene. With a voice comparable to that of Bonnie Raitt, Ann Wilson of Heart, and Linda Ronstadt, Laura mixes her dynamic vocals with genuine songwriting, blending her folk and country roots with her classic rock upbringing. “She has a throaty, smoky delivery that’s full of tension, emotion and technique…” writes Music Row Magazine about Laura’s vocal style. “Extremely Promising.”
“I always knew in my heart that music was what I was going to end up doing,” says Laura. Whether it was living room concerts for her parents in elementary school or participating in nation-wide show choir competitions as a teenager, the Tullahoma, Tennessee native is hard- pressed to recall a time that performing wasn’t an important part of her life. When it came time for college, however, Laura pursued another passion of hers – medicine – and earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Middle Tennessee State University.
“I worked as an ICU nurse for six years but would write songs and perform in classic rock cover bands at local bars in any bit of spare time I had.” Hailing from a family tree of ancestors who played fiddle, steel guitar and banjo with country greats, it’s no surprise that after a few years, the passion pulsing through her musical veins eventually became too intense to ignore.
Laura officially traded Band-Aids for band rehearsals in April of 2014 and headed into the studio to record her debut album Box Full of Trouble. This album garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike and led to country-wide radio airplay of her single “Feel the Fire,” live television performances and appearances at both 2015’s CMA Fest and Country Radio Seminar. Now, after a year of relentlessly honing her songwriting craft and gracing stages all around the south with her fearless personality, the red-lipped spitfire has released her highly-anticipated sophomore project Too Wild to Tame.
“I’ve spent the last year writing songs and teaming up with a lot of amazing musicians who continuously inspire me to stay true to myself,” says Laura, who now resides in Nashville. “Too Wild to Tame recalls a lot of my rock n’ roll influences and is a true reflection of where I am as an artist right now.” This EP, a product of collaboration with industry veterans Rick Rowell and Rodney Ingle, features six emotion-packed tracks. From vulnerable organic love songs (“Stand By Me”) to raspy rock numbers packed with attention-demanding guitar solos (“I Wish I Didn’t” and “Man With a Gun”), this collection evokes the very best of Laura’s influences, which include The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty.
“When I’m on stage singing, it is one of the only times I feel completely whole and content,” notes Laura. “Through good times and bad, music has always been there for me and my goal as an artist is to make a lasting connection with people through my songs.” With a stage presence as captivating as her vibrant green eyes, seriously striking vocals and determination second to none, it is clear that Laura McCormick is ready to emerge as one of southern rock’s leading ladies.
