Nominated for Americana Album of the Year – 19th Annual LA Music Awards “Sister Garden”
Nominated for Record of the Year – 19th Annual LA Music Awards “Sister Garden” Produced by the Robb Brothers
With a voice that ranges from soothing and sultry to a powerhouse of emotion,
Connie Rae Knapp came quietly onto the scene in November 2002 and has since been
recognized for her distinct sound, writing ability, vocal talent and effortless self promotion.
Traditionally rhythm and blues, her style is universal enough to have earned her the right to
perform with well known headliners ranging from jazz to rock, blues to country.
Her short but impressive career includes being the opening act for such legendary artists as
Leon Russell, Diane Schuur, Dwight Yoakam, Eddie Money, Dave Mason, Average White Band,
Tower of Power, Dennis Quaid, John Mayall, Marcia Ball, John Hammond, Robben Ford,
The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Lee Ritenour, Savoy Brown,
Vonda Shepard, Shemekia Copeland, Tuck and Patti, Lou Gramm of Foreigner,
Mike Campbell of Tom Petty, Andy Summers of The Police, Colin Hay of Men at Work,
Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Coco Montoya, Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band,
Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts, Anthony Gomes, Walter Trout, Solomon Burke Jr. and
John Waite.
She has also been asked to share the stage with:
The Zombies, Johnny Winter, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Willy Porter, A.J. Croce,
Ben Taylor, Richard Elliot, Jeffery Gaines, GE Smith from SNL, The Flying Other Brother’s and
Alison Brown.
Sister Garden Album Project
Connie Rae independently funded her first album in 2004 recording at the famous
Cherokee Studios in LA. The owners, The Robb Brothers were hired to engineer and produce
her work. The musicians that participated in the project were:
Elliot Easton formerly of The Cars, currently of The New Cars on guitar
Mike Thompson keyboard player for Don Henley and The Eagles
Oscar Seaton drummer for George Benson, Lionel Richie, Lee Ritenour, Boz Scaggs
Bucket Baker percussionist recently off the road with Macy Gray, Kenny Loggins
Andre’ Carter trumpet player with The Counting Crows
Mahlon Hawk of Joshua on bass
Joe Robb on saxophone
Bruce Robb on B3 Organ
The Water Sisters back-up vocalists for hundreds of artists from The Stones to Willy Nelson
Mastered at Capitol Records by Ron McMaster
Photography and Art Direction by Elizabeth Etienne
Web site and CD graphics by Connie Rae Knapp & Elizabeth Etienne
All songs written by Connie Rae Knapp
CONNIE RAE
Awards and Achievements
2009 LA Music Awards, Nominated for Best Americana Album
2009 LA Music Awards, Nominated for Best Record of the Year – Producers The Robb Brothers
2009 LA Music Awards, Nominated for Best Inspirational Song of the Year
2009 Inland Empire Music Awards, Winner for Best R&B
2009 Inland Empire Music Awards, Winner for Best Out of Area
2009 Inland Empire Music Awards, Nominated for Best Jazz
2008 IMA Independent Music Awards, Nominated for Best Gospel
2008 Orange County Music Awards, Nominated for Best Blues
2008 Orange County Music Awards, Nominated for Best Live Acoustic Band
2008 Inland Empire Music Awards, Nominated for Best Out of County
2007 Orange County Music Awards, Winner for Best Blues
2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards, Winner for Best USA
2007 Orange County Music Awards, Nominated for Best Live Acoustic Band
2007 Inland Empire Music Awards, Nominated for Best Blues
2007 All Access Music Awards, Nominated for Best Female Vocalist: Rock, Melodic, Blues
2006 All Access Music Awards, Winner of Best Female Vocalist, Pop/Alternative
2006 All Access Music Awards, Nominated for Best Album of the Year, Pop/Alternative
2006 All Access Music Awards, Nominated for Best Overall Songwriter
2006 Southern California Music Awards, Nominated for Best Blues
2006 Orange County Music Awards, Finalist for Best Band
2005 Orange County Music Awards, Nominated for Best Blues
2005 Orange County Music Awards, Asked to compete for Best Band
2004 Orange County Music Awards, Nominated for Best Country
8 Original tracks featured on 7 separate CD’s for promotional and fund raising projects
Performed for the Major of Irvine and Irvine City Council televised on live TV
Performed for American Cancer Society for major investors Annual Gala Event
Performed for Susan B. Komen’s Race For The Cure
Entertained the Veterans in 1999, 2003, 2004 at Wadsworth Theater for Annual VA Event
Entertained the graduating class of 1980 Seattle Coliseum, Seattle, Washington
Clubs & References
The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA
The Galaxy Theater – Santa Ana, Ca
Long Beach Aquarium – Long Beach, CA
Longhis – Maui, Hawaii
CONNIE RAE
Reviews
“I received the CD and it sounds terrific! Best of luck with it!”
Elliot Easton – The Cars
“Connie Rae is a real talent and she shows off her musical talents on this CD!
Her music will grab you in and keep you groovin’ for all 10 tracks.”
Ron McMaster – Capitol Mastering
“Connie Rae’s songs hit home with a powerful impact, reaching out with soul and
understanding. She inspires! On a scale from one to ten, she’s created a ten!”
Jim Santelle – Southland Blues Magazine
“I think you look and sound absolutely beautiful!”
Lark Kessler – Talent Buyer for Galaxy Theater and The Coach House
“You have a beautiful voice. I particularly enjoyed your composition “Message of
Hope,” a very important “message” for us all. Thank you for sharing your talent with
our community.”
Beth Krom – Mayor of Irvine, CA
“The first time I heard the disc I heard the promise. Soulfulness and sass. It’s been a
pleasure playing and getting to know Connie Rae. Here’s to good things!”
R. Scott – Musician, Band Member
“She’s wonderful, marvelous! Slick arrangements….perfection!!”
Jim Lee – Lee Custom Drums
“One of the nicest cover layouts I’ve ever seen and the sound is excellent!”
Eric Turner – Musician
“I love the graphics, beautiful photography!”
Jean Patton – Photographer
“I have the pleasure of knowing Connie Rae as a person as well as an artist. Her music is
very representative of her soul, her true being and the reason I believe she was put here
on earth. It is a privilege to know her and a joy to hear her sing.”
Kristie James
CONNIE RAE
RESUME
OPENING ACTS FOR:
Leon Russell
Eddie Money
Average White Band
Tower of Power
The Blind Boys of Alabama
Diane Schuur
Dwight Yoakam
Dennis Quaid
John Waite
Dave Mason
Lee Ritenour
Andy Summers of The Police
Colin Hay of Men at Work
Lou Gramm of Foreigner
Mike Campbell of Tom Petty
Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band
Jim Belushi and The Sacred Hearts
Vonda Shepard
John Mayall
Robben Ford
Marcia Ball
John Hammond
Shemekia Copeland
Tuck and Patti
Walter Trout
Anthony Gomes
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Coco Montoya
Savoy Brown
Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers
Solomon Burke Jr.
Angel Stadium
The Orange County Fair
Lake Mission Viejo Summer Concert Series
Susen G Komen Race for the Cure