Laurie Solheim
"Offerings"

Click below to view sample music on YouTube.

Child I Pray

"Offerings" is Laurie Solheim's tribute CD dedicated to two Washington scientists: Dr. Daniel Johnson and UW professor/ state seismologist Dr. Tony Qamar who were killed in 2005 by a log truck on WA 101 near Hoquiam. The title and apple motif for Offerings is based on Exodus 23:19. I am bringing the best of my first fruits of my soil to the Lord my God.

Laurie Solheim's songwriting style is Contemporary Christian, pop/folk.

"Walls" is like a vocal rendition of the bumper sticker, "Commit Random Acts of Kindness." It is a social justice/peacemaking song. This is a great song call to action song for fundraising support drives for ministries like World Concern, Union Gospel Mission, Habitat and other outreaches because I'm calling for people to do something to "reach to those we can."

In "People We Love," "the people we love never leave us," was the phrase that co-writer Daniel Christopherson based his melody on. I had several pages of directions that that sentiment was leading. 5am one morning, I woke with the words from 1Cor. 13 "Love is patient, love is kind" singing in my head to the first notes of the tune. I ran to the scriptures and the words leapt into place. The fact that God commands us to love and that loving is so lovely to experience just confirms how awesome His love is for us. The enduring nature of love is a "gift God gives to our souls" whether our loved one is here, away on a journey, moved away, or gone beyond, the sparkle of love remains and continues to bless us.

The hope and energy that came from creating music was uplifting me and healing my spirit. God was allowing the words to come and my thoughts to blossom into song. I would listen to Daniel's melodies and they started to define themselves. One tune seemed to be wishing something like a benediction. I felt there were things that I'd wish my sons that I wanted to express to them. What in life could I boil down and say to them that in the end would be most meaningful? What would any parent want for their child? From that came "Child I Pray."

"You're in Heaven" is a tribute song written in honor of Dr. Daniel Johnson, my brother. My comfort was the fact that Dan was in Heaven. He was fine! I needed to get out of my emotional fetal position and live my life with purpose. I realized how many people around me have experienced the jolt of death. I felt compelled that my song could encourage others to go on in their loved ones honor. This song is very moving and healing. Everyone needs the hope of Heaven to go on! *

Musicians: Daniel Christopherson-co-writer/guitars/producer (played with Guns-n-Roses on MTV and on Warren Miller Ski Movies), Don Garberg-keyboard (played with Kim Hill, Bryan Duncan, Bob Bennett, Ricky Skaggs, John Denver band, and current music minister at Everett Foursquare), Dan Mohler-bass (plays with Gaia Consort, Gracies Cafe), Jennifer Lind Ivester-background vocals (Jennifer is one of the most sought-after vocal recording artists in the Pacific Northwest, has her voice is featured prominently on Spectrasonics' ground-breaking vocal sampler CD Symphony of Voices, frequently used on major motion picture film scores since its debut on James Horner's score for The Titanic. She is also featured on jingles for clients such as T-Mobile, Dole, Sleep Country USA, and Macy's. Recordings she appears on include Grammy Award winner Nancy Rumbel's Notes from the Tree of Life.), Ben Smith drums for Walls and People We Love is the (drummer for Heart), Chris Crumpler drums on You're in Heaven and Child I Pray (plays with Spanish for 100 & Cassandra Speaks), and Betsy Tinney playing my brother's cello on You're in Heaven (also from the Gaia Consort). (Mixed by Tom Hall, mastered by Robert Hadley)

Laurie is a 43-year-old self-employed video-editor, wife and mother of two boys. She grew up in Tacoma the youngest child in a family of avid mountain climbers/runners. She still holds the record as the youngest female to climb Mt. Rainier. She climbed to Rainier's summit at the age of seven, and had scaled Washington's 6 major mountains, Grand and Middle Teton, WY, and Oregon's Mt. Hood by the age of eight!

*Audience comment from MySpace: "Laurie - Thank you for letting me know about your new music. You were right, I really enjoyed listening to "The People We Love" and "You're in Heaven". What a beautiful tribute to your brother Dan, "You're In Heaven". After the recent shootings here on campus, it is nice to be able to listen to a song and realize these 5 young souls are in heaven and at peace and not be sad about it any more. Thanks for your uplifting music. Peace - Pat" (A professor at Virginia Tech)

Price: $12.99