Artist Information

Instrumentation
Lori - Vocals
Chris - Bass/Vocals
Eric - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Brad - Drums/Percussion/Vocals
Ross - Lead Guitar
Jake - Keyboards, Fiddle, Slide Guitar, etc.

Biography
Lori has been in the music industry entertaining, writing, and/or recording professionally since she was 18 years old. She has enjoyed success on Commercial, Independent and College radio airplay in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. Lori wrote and arranged along with her brother Craig 2 of the tracks on her debut album "Sometimes". Several single releases have attracted airplay in the US, Canada and Europe.

Lori has been touted by the critics as a singer who can “get her audiences with her high energy show" and has the ability to "melt your heart with a romantic ballad" or can "belt it out right from the heart" to an upbeat song.

She has performed all over the Midwest in venues such as IL, MO and KS State Fairs, McConnell Air Force Base where she headlined the “Welcome Home Troops Celebration”, casinos and various other festivals and county fairs. She has opened for such acts as Julie Roberts.

Lori along with her band “Miles Station” made up of 4 very talented musicians are truly entertainers to look forward to and are certainly rising in the country music scene. Known for their energetic and audience interactive show, Lori and Miles Station are in high demand!

DK: Who is Lori Franke, personally?
LF: Lori Franke is a gal who was brought up in a small town in Illinois - Batchtown -- who was taught that whatever you want in life you must work for it. With that thought in mind growing up, I went after many things that in my mind were challenging including but not limited to the United States Marine Corps. My dad, brother, and uncle were all Marines, so I went through a whole lot of chastising because "girl" marines were "sissies" compared to them. It only made me tougher!!! I smile when I think back at my days of youth, for there were great learning experiences along the way, but the one thing I learned and was taught was how important it is to treat people respectfully. I heard the music business was a tough one because people in the business are only looking for one thing: the bottom dollar. Well I'm looking for two things: to participate in an endeavor that I love and have fun while I'm participating. People know when musicians are having fun, and they deserve an entertaining show where all parties are having a great time!

DK: You were born in Calhoun County, IL, what kind of city/town was that like growing up in?
LF: It was as if you were cut off from the rest of the world. From the 1970s through the present time, Cal "houners" continued to wear bell-bottoms. What does that tell ya? But I guarentee you one would not find a better group of people who support one another. We held a benefit for my brother after he was diagnosed with luekemia. Our town population was roughly 300, and we made over $20,000. It was absolutely amazing. The people of Calhoun were not only supportive of my brother, but I bet most if not all Calhoun residents
have a copy of my CD, Sometimes. I can't think of a better place to grow up. I wouldn't change a thing!

DK: What kind of family upbringing did you have?
LF: My dad was an Illinois State Trooper and my mom, my PE teacher. So to be honest it was interesting. My dad handed out tickets to some of my teachers -- yes, even my mom -- and then I would have to go back to school and undergo the abuse one could hand out from getting a speeding ticket from my dad proved to be difficult. The good thing was - I was no angel? Really hard to believe, huh? So when I was in a vehicle and the driver would get pulled over, I was often cut a break, either as the driver or passenger, simply because my dad was their colleague. I learned a lot about people, however. And the great thing about it is I became stronger because of it, which at the time wasn't something I realized. Growing older-- oh I mean more mature -- is good in some ways.

DK: Do you have siblings?
LF: Yes, I do. I currently have two brothers - both older -- and a much younger sister, by twelve years. My younger brother by four years, my true partner in music, was diagnosed with luekemia in May 1996 and died in September 1996. A time of extreme heartache, the next few years after his death I really gave up on music all together -- I was simply disinterested, as we had written an album and even held a CD debut at a local tavern which was very successful. His strength and courage eventually gave me more courage than I ever imagined it would, but it took a while for me to get inspiration. My living siblings are supportive of my musical endeavors, especially my second to the oldest brother, for he was the person who helped my younger brother finance his very first electric guitar.

DK: If so, are any of them involved in music also?
LF: Sorry, I get so involved in my thoughts I fail to read ahead. So the answer to this question preceeds...

DK: Who inspired you to get started in music initially?
LF: Really, I have to say no one really! Before I had access to music, I was wild about it. I began writing my own songs/poems/lyrics at a very young age. Finally, my mom and dad got me a phono player for Christmas along with two records: Captain and Tennille and the Carpenters. My mom had Elvis, the Lennon Sisters, Bobby Vinton, and Boots Randolph records, so I would listen to them, trying to get my hands on any and all music. I spent so much time singing in my room (and yes to the air guitar and microphone and in the mirror!). Even my clothing style screamed "Hollyweird" as I dressed differently from all my classmates, and I didn't care! Thinking back, I must have been perceived as the kid without a clue!

DK: So, you are a mother of three? What are their names and ages (if you don't mind answering)
LF: I have three daughters: Shayelle 15 (who will be getting her driver's license soon) Can you say "YIKES!"; Delani 4 (my drama queen); and Korrie 2 (who will for sure be the death of me). I can't ever leave out my first born, Andrew, who died of complications after
> having open heart surgery (his third one) when he was a mere 3 1/2 years old. Andrew died on my brother Craig's birthday - December 7, 1991, which is truly symbolic, which gives me great comfort knowing I have two angels pushing for me to continue forth with music!

DK: Are you married also?
LF: I am married to a educator who teaches special education. He is also a Roxana High School's head football coach. Please don't take time out to look at his record. He wouldn't want you to go to that much trouble???

DK: How do you balance the life of a mother and singer?
LF: It can be difficult, as I also am an educator at a private college by day. But one lesson I always want to model for my girls is to never stop believing in yourself or being all you can be (I know that's an Army motto, and I could easily be crucified by my marine corps buddies, but it's a good one so I'm using it!). I want them to know how important it is to continue pursuing their dreams...forever!

DK: Do you also work a 9-5 on top of that?
LF: I am Director of Teacher Education and Clinical Placements at Blackburn College, a private institution located in Carlinville, Illinois. All I can say is that's a big title and I'm not quite sure what it all means yet?? But I get to teach, and I love my students, so life is good!

DK: How did you come to form your band?
LF: After the release of my first CD, Sometimes, I started posting ads for band members, and Chris Hammann, the first member to sign on board called. Through him and his connections, the rest of the band formed. We also have guest musicians from another band help us out often which lends itself to getting a lot more great gigs at awesome venues.

DK: So, I see Chris and Brad are also parents, do you find that makes things easier or harder managing time to practice and all?
LF: I think is almost necessary, so we're all on the same page. Oftentimes when one has band members who have many of the same responsibilities, they can relate to the additional responsibilities. Really, we all have the same understanding, and that is we have to make it work. Either we're in full force or we're not. And we all agree, so it makes it much easier. The great thing is we are all easy-going and understanding. We also have high expectations and professional ethics, so we don't leave each other high and dry. Really, to put it bluntly, we're a team -- and with that the families are included.

DK: How often do you play out a year?
LF: Depends on how many calls we get? We are beginning to book quite a bit now that people have had a chance to hear and see us. We're a high energy show. Recently, I had a gentleman come to me after playing our first set and say: "Oh my gosh, Lori, I had no idea; I thought you were just a country and western band." These are the comments we love to hear because then we realize the perception some have when you place yourself under a certain genre of performance music. Gosh, I totally boot-scooted that question, huh? Some have said that I talk the game so well I should be a politician. But I would be a baaaaaad politician. Anyway, we will play out probably 80-100 times this year. It's totally a "guess -timent."

DK: Have you played in Chicago much?
LF: We would love to play in Chicago. I LOVE Chicago. The last time I went, I probably had too much fun there! Anyway, our drummer's son goes to school in Chicago and often sends me information pertaining to venues. We are beginning to spread our wings...

DK: Do you have plans for a new album anytime soon?
LF: We are getting ready to record a few originals we have written since being together. We have three new songs that we have been and will be playing out: You'll Never Know, Honky Tonk Zone, and It's My Turn.

DK: Has anyone in the band taken lessons for their respective instruments?
LF: Interestingly, the rhythm player, Eric Cooper, took lessons from the bass player, which is exactly how he came to be in the band. Chris took lessons to play bass, Brad learned drums early while playing in his father's band, and Eric who learned how to play bass from Chris also plays guitar and keys. I play saxaphone (a Boots Randolph influence most probably), but I write using the piano/keys and guitar. I play neither proficiently, but I know the notes, so I'm able to create music using the instruments.

DK: Your calendar looks pretty full already, but what else does 2006 hold in store for you?
LF: I love surprises, so I'm hoping Ed McMahon might drop by with a big check, or that we might get a call from Toby Keith, stating he's in need of an opening act that includes an "old gal" from good ole' Calhoun County. But I'm just not counting on that happening. So, I will have to say that I just want to continue what we're doing: Providing a highly energetic, extremely entertaining musical performances for our audiences. And to continue having fun doing just that!

DK: Where would you like to see yourselves within the next year or so?
LF: You know, the guys and I have talked about this quite a bit. We are all interested in playing music full time. While we are all also professionals in our perspective fields, music is our number one love. So if we could make enough money particpating in our musical endeavors we'd be thrilled. Many are looking to achieve stardom; we simply want to do what we love: entertain!

DK: Thank you very much for your time today, we greatly appreciate it!
LF: Thanks so much for taking time out to send this my way. I cannot thank you enough for providing us with a means to get exposure. It is because of people like you who make what we do well worth any struggles we've come across. Truly, thank you!

Website
http://www.lorifranke.net

Discography
"Sometimes" released Nov. 2004