New Page 1

Opry North

Name: Danie Cortese

Age:

Birth date: November 9^th

Birth place: Toronto, Ontario

Home town: various

Resides in: North of Toronto

Most memorable performance: Singing for Donald O’Connor, a Hollywood screen legend (Singing In The Rain).

What do you do to relax: Shop for antiques and play with my puppies, Max and Freddy.

Finished CD's: 1 – debut album self titled.

Cd's for sale: - “Danie Cortese” – released 2001 (available through website or Amazon.com)

Management:

Gino Empry Entertainment

130 Carlton Street, Suite 1508

Toronto, ON M5A 4K3

PH: (416) 977-2429

FAX: (416) 928-1415

Contact: Gino Empry

Record Label: Independant

Website: www.daniecortese.com

If you know of a singer, trained in opera, who goes on to become the one of the hottest new acts in another genre who would you think of? Rock fans would say Pat Benetar. Country fans would say Danie Cortese. What’s that? How do you get a performer trained by the Royal Conservatory of Music to head into the country market? In Canada anything is possible, especially when the young Danie used to watch all of the old ‘country television’ shows of old. Writing her first song at seven was an indicator that this was a talent that would be ‘making some noise’ in the future.

At twelve Danie began working with vocal coach Ian Garratt (who would also help mold another promising vocalist….Eilleen ‘Shania’ Twain) and in 1988 she emerged with a degree in Music, ready to take on the world. Well, that and teach…she is a fully qualified vocal instructor and can perform herself in four languages and many genres. But, the performer in her would not be silent for long and coupled with her inherent songwriting ability it was only a matter of time before she would ‘break out’ of the classroom.

With a style that she describes as “urban country with a jazzy influence” you can be sure that you won’t be getting any back-porch lamenting songs from Danie. Quirky, fun and right-to-the-point are descriptions that fit Danie’s songwriting and her self-titled debut CD is proof that yet another singer-songwriter is about to take that next step into country-conscious minds everywhere. Step right up Danie, there’s more than enough room and we’re glad to have you!

Have you noticed how many of Canada’s ‘stars’ are singer-songwriters? I just bring this up because I find myself writing so many profiles for incredibly talented vocalists who also write the majority of their own material, and I remember reading that the number of such folks was relatively low. Where? I look around, at lovely ladies like Danie, Diane Chase, Lace’s Beverley and Giselle, and the more ‘obvious’ like Terri, Lisa Brokop and Carolyn Dawn – all beautiful with amazing voices – and all songwriters! Is this a one-in-a-million type of thing, that we should be so blessed to have them all? When you look at the number of their male counterparts that are equally adept I’d have to say I think it must be something in the water.

When you hear Danie sing the songs that she’s written you hear her having fun. You hear her voice (which reminds me of bells, for some reason) putting life into the words, not just singing them. And you hear the wonderfully constructed melodies, the way the lyrics follow every curve and dip and you just enjoy. That is a sign of talent but that’s experienced by listening only. You have to see her perform too…the exuberance is very similar to watching Dolly Parton interact with the crowd; the smile, the gestures and the moving around the stage – and you know that you are watching an entertainer. This shouldn’t be such a surprise, considering that Danie has been writing, singing and performing since she was very young and by now, it’s instinctive. And that’s entertainment.

She’s been getting out there and making lots of appearances (in a variety of events) so if you get a chance to take in a show I would recommend it. It won’t take any time at all before you’d wish you did (if you don’t) and she’ll be on her way to bigger and better things. Of that I have no doubt. That much versatility, enthusiasm and talent will not stay under wraps for long and we’ll lose her to the world, like the rest of them…but take heart. Another star in our sky is always a welcome sight, isn’t it?

Written by Kim Jamieson

All material contained in this site or Web Page are protected by copyright, and trademark and shall not be used for any purpose whatsoever other than private, non-commercial viewing purposes. Derivative works and other unauthorized copying or use of stills, music files or clips and video footage are expressly prohibited.