Lori Ruso grew up in CA & AZ, & at a young age, her musical aspirations were influenced by Barbra Streisand, Karen Carpenter & Aretha Franklin. As an undergraduate, she studied voice in Vienna, Austria, & while working in Los Angeles as a teacher, Lori became a studio singer, performing jingles & back-up for other artists. She also sang at weddings & church functions to earn extra money. Lori’s strong, soulful performance at a church so impressed producers Tom & Larry Weir that they approached her to record for a film project.

 

While working with Weir Brothers Entertainment team, Lori was given the opportunity to collaborate with some of the industry’s best. These associations have led to her singing & songwriting talents being showcased in feature films, including “Dream a Little Dream,” “Teen Witch,” & “Tax Season,” and also on the CBS television show “The Young & the Restless” & “Dangerous Curves.” Lori performed as the opening act for Michael Damian’s international “Rock On” concert tour. Her booking agent, Dick Clark, sent Ruso to perform before crowds numbering in the thousands at over 100 concerts around the country, (Ohio State Fair, Oregon State Fair, Kentucky State Fair, etc.) She's charted three adult-contemporary songs on Billboard, sung for Pope John Paul II at Universal Amphitheater, & was honored to sing the national anthem at Dodger play-off games in Los Angeles.

 

Lori signed her first U.S. record deal with Cypress/A&M Records, & the resulting album, “Show Off,” was released in many countries around the world, including Australia on Possum Records, in Spain on Vemsa Records, & in Hong Kong on Polygram. The album charted two songs, “I’m Gonna Be” & “Never Look Back." Both songs reached the top 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts, & “I’m Gonna Be” was picked as Critic’s Choice by Billboard. The review proclaimed, “ Ruso’s sparkling delivery on this mid-tempo, inspirational number is beautifully enhanced by an exquisite saxophone arrangement.” Polygram Hong Kong also released 5 songs from the album where they enjoyed tremendous success, & songs from Ruso’s second album, “I Believe in Love Again." The album’s first single in Asia, “Dela,” became a popular favorite, & the self-penned “Christmas in My Heart," is played on over 300 radio stations. Nine of the twelve cuts off this album were written or co-written by Ruso.

 

Lori is thrilled to have worked with many of the music industry’s top musicians, including: Tim Pierce (guitar), Luis Conte (percussion), Art Wood & Josh Freeze (drums), Richard Elliot (saxophone), Novi Novog (viola), Michael Parnell (bass/keyboards). She enjoyed singing for several episodes of the “Stories From My Childhood” animated movie classics brought from Russia, restored & recorded in English (a beloved project of ballet dancer M. Barishnikov.)

 

After taking time to raise her daughter, Lori began to write & record with musician/friend Michael Parnell, at his studio. When popular German music producer, Charbel Khayo, heard Lori’s latest song, “DEEP,” he knew it was a hit record & began mixing & posting her songs. This attracted great response, & Ruso is busy completing an album of new, original songs, working with Grammy award winning producer/engineer Tom Weir. Lori hopes, “May these new songs bring a measure of hope, healing & Inspiration to all who listen.” 

 

Throughout her career, Ruso has maintained that she has no desire “to be a part of any trend.” On the flip-side, Lori’s pure vocal style always finds this talented lady setting trends of her own.