Lori McKenna

McKenna brings along much needed extra cheer

Lori McKenna is one of country music's hit making songwriters, with songs covered by artists like Tim McGraw and Little Big Town. But she's also an accomplished performer and recording artist in her own right, as she demonstrated recently at The Birchmere.

Lori McKenna is one of those songwriters who specializes in three- and four-minute novels, her lyrics so full of real-life details that transport you to the places she wants you to go. Seeing her in concert, you also get the audio version of a reader's guide that takes you behind the scenes.

Bittertown was undoubtedly Lori McKenna’s breakthrough album. Its release attracted the attention of Faith Hill, who went on to cover three songs from the album and paved Lori’s way to a successful songwriting career in Nashville.

“Bittertown” was the album that helped break McKenna, a mother of five who lives with her childhood sweetheart in Stoughton, Mass.

From the opening of “A Mother Never Rests” she brought us into her world and kept the crowd captivated for the entire show. Her melodies and lyrics are heartwarming and endearing on every song.

Grammy award-winning country/Americana artist Lori McKenna, recently called a must-hear songwriter by the Washington Post, delighted a full house at DC’s City Winery on Sunday. The evening was full of gorgeous, heartfelt music and intimate storytelling.