A Star Among Us
   By Katie Repking

The title was “Break Down Here” and that is what almost happened. The stage was set for Lori Hopkins to begin singing, but one thing was wrong.

“The words were not coming to me. I couldn’t believe it. I had forgotten the words to the next song,” recalled Hopkins.

Thankfully, she is a songwriter, so making up lyrics came quickly. This attribute proved helpful when she performed “Break Down Here” by country music singer Julie Roberts.

“There was only one thing to do. I had to make my own lyrics,” replied Hopkins. “I have no idea where the words came from, they just did.” Lori was not going to ‘break down there.’

Lori is much more than an accomplished singer; she is a faculty member at Blackburn College. Her title at the college is ‘Director of Teacher Education and Clinical Placement.’ Her responsibilities include organizing all student teaching and teaching elementary education seminar.

Hopkins is no stranger to show business. She recently opened for country music star, Julie Roberts, at this years Macoupin County Fair.

“She is an awesome performer who is sure to go big places,” stated Rose Mary Rives. “The crows was very enthusiastic and people were calling her their ‘Home Town Hero.”

She loves where she came from. She’s a ‘country girl’ from Calhoun County, Ill. Lori is a former marine who fell in love with music at the age of eight.

“I have always loved music from the day I was born. I considered myself a ‘closet singer’ at eight, but my first public performance was on my senior graduation. It was a wonderful experience and I knew I wanted to continue,” replied Hopkins.

College and family, from the beginning, took priority over Lori’s singing career. She is a devoted wife and mother of three. She graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and English a masters in English Education and a masters in Administration.

She loves teaching and believes that being an entertainer makes her teaching style fun for her students.

“Students of all ages need to be entertained. I do not like learning from lectures and neither do my students. I like to around the room like it was a stage,” she stated.

Shelle Meyer, a Blackburn junior, was one of the many people in the crowd the night of the fair.

“She has an amazing, unique voice,” answered Meyer. Lori has a deep alto voice, but can sing many different styles. She recalled that a fan once compared her voice to singers Tanya Tucker and Melissa Etheridge.

“Her performance was very interactive and I would love to hear her sing again,” said Meyer.

Although her songs are not choreographed, she loves to move around the stage.

“Interacting with my audience is a huge part of the performance. I love just moving along with the beat.” said Hopkins.

Of course, music is nothing without a great band.

“I love being able to sing, knowing I have my band behind me is reassuring. I love working with an all male band because that is what I grew up with. Being the only girl in the family, I can handle the guys,” stated Lori.

One of the guys most important to Lori was her brother Craig, who lost the battle with leukemia in 1996.

“My brother was a big influence on me and after we completed so many songs together, it was hard to sing again without him. He is the reason I perform under my maiden name, Franke, pronounced “Frank‘- “ee,” she replied.]

Lori says the best reward of singing is the same as teaching.

“You create a connection that is so memorable. The best part of my life is that I am doing exactly what I want. My biggest goal in life was to create an album. It was time-consuming and tedious, but I did it!”

Her new CD entitled “Sometimes” has many of her favorite songs on it including some she and her brother Craig wrote. Her CD also features many songs written by her band members.

“I am excited to hear more of her music and plan to keep an eye out for her because she is going places,” stated Rose Mary Rives. “I will definitely go and see her again.”

Lori’s advice to any aspiring artist is, “You must be comfortable in your own skin and you have to focus on the positive points in life. I know that I am blessed and I love sharing my gift of song with everyone.”

For more information on Lori Hopkins and her upcoming events her website can be fount at www.lorifranke.com