BIO
Lorie Strother, ‘The Dreaded BluesLady’ has performed her interpretation of Blues music since the 1990s. Lorie can’t remember a time when she wasn’t singing because it was something that came so naturally. However, she vividly remembers the moment when she decided that she would be a performer. That moment occurred when she received her first standing ovation at a PTA school function at 9 years old.
Thrown out by her mother, Lorie was deemed a throwaway youth between the ages of 13-17. Finding herself pregnant at the age of 17, Lorie sought refuge and found it via the non-profit organization, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. It was there that she learned independent living skills and returned to education, earning her GED. Lorie subsequently went on to receive an associates, bachelors, and master’s degree. She is the proud mother of five children ranging in ages from 36 to 17.
Since 2008, Lorie has performed with the Virginia based duo Dr. Levine and The Dreaded BluesLady. Within this duo she is accompanied by historian Dr. Stephen Levine on guitar. In addition to this she also performs solo and with a band.
Between 2011 and 2014, Lorie programmed, sponsored and hosted the Open Mic Talent Night at The Wayne Theatre Alliance’s Gateway on the first Thursday of every month.
In 2012, the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities awarded Lorie an apprenticeship with Blues singer Gaye Adegbalola, formerly of the trio Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women. Lorie recalls it as a “great experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a blues legend.”
Lorie has recorded several music compilations to include Homemade Blues, Raw G, and The Morning After. Her original song ‘Keep Your Mind On The Blues’ was featured on the ‘Blue Ridge Music Today: The Whole Caboodle’ compilation alongside up and coming country music star Matt Ramsey. Lorie also had the opportunity to record with blues artist Corey Harris in which he played guitar and Lorie sang Robert Johnson’s, ‘Come On In My Kitchen’.
In 2018, Lorie recorded her original song entitled ‘Sing His Name’. She wrote the song in response to the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Heather Heyer-victims of police brutality and white supremacy. Lorie sang the song live at the University of Virginia and received a standing ovation.
Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Lorie has made Waynesboro, VA her home since 1989. In 2018, Grow Waynesboro awarded Lorie a start-up grant for her entertainment business, The Dreaded BluesLady. Stay tuned here at The Dreaded BluesLady to find out what’s next.
Take a listen below to hear more about the life of The Dreaded BluesLady.