SPRING BLOG/2025

My Dad would have turned 92 years old today (as I write this blog, March 15, 2025). He passed away this past spring lying in a bed, looking out the living room window in his little home in Phoenix. Grief is a sneaky thing so I didn't say anything from the stage this past year as I didn't trust my tender emotions. But he was definitely on my heart at every show, on every single stage, in every city.

So . . . I figure that since it's his birthday, today seems like the perfect day to write about and celebrate my dad.

Dale Eugene Porter.

Obviously, passing at the age of 91, my dad lived a very full life. He was fully engaged and active until the very end. He had no mental aging . . . he was sharp as a tack in every conversation to his dying day. He drove his car and only used a cane in the last couple of years of his life. It wasn't until he fell and badly hurt his arm that we knew he might never be the same again. And two months later he died.

I would say my dad was most known for his great personality. He had a quick wit and fun demeanor. He was the most organized man I've ever known. And, oh was he opinionated! He had advice for you on just about every topic.

He was a patriot. He loved his country, and in the last couple of years of his life we had so much to talk about over the phone. I think one of his all-time highlights was going with me to the White House when I played there in December, 2000. He was on tour with me that year, selling merchandise in the lobby, and I got an invitation to play the Steinway located underneath the John F Kennedy portrait on Friends and Family Day for Bill Clinton and George W Bush. We were restricted as to whom we could bring with us that day for the performance, but the following day we were invited back and could bring a few guests to have breakfast in the White House Navy Mess. He got to come with me that morning, and boy was it ever special.

My dad was a simple guy . .  . never wanted much. He had a couple pairs of shoes (brown and black) and a few sport coats that he would trade out with his ties to make the outfit look brand new. When he wore out his shoes, he'd re-sole them to save money. Although thrifty, he really was quite stylish. I've never met a man who had a "favorite color" but my dad's was yellow (later I would learn it was in honor of his own father, who loved the same color). 

He was a 5'9" outstanding athlete, holding many records in track and basketball and he received a full-ride athletic scholarship to Bowling Green University. Although I did not get the athletic gene, my sisters and brother did, and growing up, one of my fondest memories was watching (and hearing) them play basketball in the driveway (most of the time I'd be at the piano). He loved to laugh, and to this very day I guess that's what I miss the most about him (the sound of laughter in our home . . . I can't get that out of my head). Sometimes he'd make us laugh so much that we'd get in trouble and be put in time out (and have to go sit on the stairs). Sure enough, once we returned to the kitchen table it would start all over again. It's kind of crazy because although there was a lot of laughter in our home, I would say my mom and dad were never really happily married. And they divorced after 25 years of marriage. 

Dale began his career in Phoenix where he met and married my beautiful mom Lorraine Mann. My mom was the first person to teach him about Jesus and he learned to love the Lord. He became a Christian, which had a profound impact on the rest of his life (and ours too). After I was born, when I was two years old they moved to Reno for his job in the insurance industry and it was there where they raised their five wonderful children of whom he was so very proud. He then spent most of his career as a paralegal at a prominent law firm. He became an elder and a song leader in the Reno-Sparks Church of Christ. He wasn't just any kind of song leader . . . he was the very best. He had a very clear voice, no vibrato, just perfect for song leading.

Growing up in an a cappella church, I spent so many moments with my dad in our living room together at the piano, plucking out notes, teaching him new songs to lead (without an instrument) on Sunday mornings. When he got the courage to lead the song, I would sit in the church pew beaming with pride (because I helped teach him the melody). 

Like his dad, he played the ukelele and the banjo. He only knew about 10 songs, but he really played them well and when we were really little, during bathtime he'd play and sing for us (and make us laugh). To this day, I would bet all of my siblings still know all the words to Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue, and When My Sugar Walks Down The Street. His mother (Ruth Wales) played ragtime piano, and it was my dad who taught me how to play boogie-woogie styled piano. We'd play as a duet team, and he always was better on the right-hand improvisation. I don't know how he did it, but he always came up with a new flashy line. To this day, I always throw in a little boogie-woogie on my shows (and he always pops into my head).

My sibblings all got his athletic abilities (I got the music). One of his other many talents was golf (I didn't get that gift either!). After he retired, he used his personality and athleticism to land the perfect retirement job as a guest host pro. It was during this time of his life when he met Anne. She became special to Tim and me, as together they cared for our kids for 10 years when we went out on our holiday tour. They were married for 32 years.

He worked almost until his dying day, his last job being a host for the McCormick Railroad Park in Scottsdale where he greeted people and cracked jokes. All day long he greeted visitors and once they got to the last car, he'd play soft piano music on a little CD player . . .  and talk proudly about his daughter, Lorie Line. 

My dad didn't always express his love and/or pride for me. He told other people (a lot!!!), but not really me. Maybe every once in a while on my birthday there would be pre-written words in a card that I always wanted to hear him personally say to me. Never happened. But I figure all of that is in the mix of who I am today. That is one of my secret ingredients that I have in the emotional makeup of my music. It's a slight pain, like a little headache that won't go away. 

Everyone has that pain. You just have to know how to utilize it for good.

A couple of months before he fell he texted me as he was quietly sitting in his car, listening to my music. Here's our exchange:

Dad: "Anne is running a few errands and I am sitting in the car waiting. I am enjoying your CDs play when I'm all alone. I think they touch me more now than ever before. It is so nice to be alone in the quiet of the car and listen to the music. I have six CDs in our car player and enjoy them so very much. I just wanted you to know how much I am enjoying them. It's one thing to listen to them play with all the other noise in the house, but they mean so much more in the solitude of a quiet car. They bring happiness to my heart and tears to my eyes."

Me: "Ahhhhh. I'm so glad, Dad. I'm sitting in the car too waiting for Tim. Sometimes in the quiet you can even hear my foot on the pedal or my fingers on the keys."

Dad: "I hear the TALENT the goes into the playing and the making of the CD!! Amazing."

After he fell I sent him a picture of me at an event with North Dakota's Governor Doug Burgum (now the Interior Secretary).

Me: "Dad! Governor Doug Burgum is a huge fan and asked if he could take a photo with me so he could show his wife."

Dad: "We saw the picture and you look beautiful."

And that was the last thing he ever said to me. 

His words were so lovely. And I do think he was proud of me.

Dale Eugene Porter. My earthly father whom I will see sooner than later in the "sweet by and by."

I imagine he's already waiting for me by the piano.

This is the last photo I took with my dad. We were on a garden tour and he wanted to do the whole thing, so we rented a little cart for the afternoon. 

Below this is a picture at the memorial service with my sibblings - Chip, (Lorie), Lorinda, Loreece and Lorelle at the gravesite. The photo is hazy because it was so hot that morning (over 100 degrees) in Phoenix.

Fans noticed in my concert program this year that I had the occasion to perform at Mar-a-Lago. They wanted me to share my story.

Here it is.

It was about this time last year when Tim and I loaded up our car and drove down from Minnesota to Florida. We had three special events to attend: Tim's mother's birthday (Orlando), my very good friend Wendy's 60th birthday (Naples), and lastly, playing a private anniversary party for Cris and Adam (new friends . . .  and we would celebrate with them at Mar-a-Lago).

The previous fall we met our new friends Adam and Cris at a private party in Napa at Wappo Hill Estate, Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo's home. We were there with a group of friends from Minnesota and had been invited to dinner that night. Jean-Charles asked if I might play before dinner, and it was a hit. It was a magical night and I ended up talking to an interesting couple, Adam and Cris, late into the evening. They loved my performance and asked if I would play for their one-year anniversary party . . .  which was coming up in February. Of course I said "yes." And then they told me it was going to be at Mar-a-Lago, where Adam was a member.

Who wouldn't be excited about that?!! 

I always have reservations about "big" things. Something in me always holds back a little to avoid disappointment. But as the time drew nearer, it was evident it was really going to happen. I had a special dress from the tour I was just on, and decided it would be perfect for the night. (And it would fit in the trunk of our car!)

Mar-a-Lago is a very special country club. Yes, President Trump and Melania live in a club setting, with a restaurant, pool(s), manicured grounds, 17 acres of prime beachfront property, and 58 guest rooms . . .  all named after countries. We would be staying two nights, and three days. We checked in upon arrival in the grand lobby. Two desks with beautiful and friendly women sat at them and they checked us into the Portuguese room. Two younger men helped us take our luggage to our room.

(Lobby pictured below) 

I love architecture and Mar-a-Lago is an eclectic mix of Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese styles. If you know the history, you will recall that the property was built by Marjorie Merriweather Post. Our particular room was located on the second floor, overlooking the pool and outdoor eating area. We didn't know it upon check-in, but would later realize that our room was located right next to President Trump's personal residence on the upper corner of the property (the blinds are down in President Trump's area in the picture at the top of this blog and we were to the left of his place). We were so close to the Leader of the Free World that we actually think we shared a common wall. The room had all its original design elements, and all the wood and detail remained untouched. There was a grand canopy bed (probably an original piece) adorned with brand new linens. But even the bathroom was in its original decor and only a shower head was added to the old tub.

The first thing we did was go to the Grand Ballroom to see where I'd be playing the next night and sound check the piano that was waiting for me. I've seen and played in ballrooms at clubs before, but none like this. There would be about 250 people in attendance, and the area was busy with staff setting tables and delivering floral arrangements. It was buzzing. And it was spectacular. 

I would be playing off to the side of the main dining area, and I was scheduled for a 45-minute set at 9:45 pm. My set list had 12 songs.

For dinner, Tim and I were invited to sit at the main table with Adam and Cris. Next to me was Minnesota House Majority Whip Congressman Tom Emmer and his wife Jacquie. We had met before and I instantly felt relieved that I could carry on a reasonably good (Minnesota) conversation. Phew! Across from us were all kinds of famous political people . . .  Congressman Brian Mast and his lovely wife Brianna, and next to them was  FBI Director Kash Patel. Then there was Dr. Mehmet Oz and his lovely wife Lisa.  Funny enough, I don't know or ever recognize (or care about) actors or actresses. But I know politicians. We knew them all that night, or most of them.

At 9:45 pm sharp the event planner came to the head table and ushered me to the piano. People started to trickle in to listen. It was noisy . . .  but being a former department store pianist (ha!) and playing for hundreds of private events, I settled in and got comfortable. Dr Oz and Lisa were the first to sit down in the front row. I announced songs, told brief stories, and at 10:30 pm when I was on my last song, I felt a "wave" and a rush in the crowd and everyone went "ahhhhhh" and all the energy went to the left side of the room behind me. I was in the middle of Bohemian Rhapsody when . . . in walked President Trump.

The room went dead silent. So I stopped playing, stood up and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, President Trump."

Adam and Cris then walked up to the stage and President Trump met them. I sat holding my breath at the piano, and as President Trump walked by, he looked at me, then looked at the crowd and said, "wow, what a talent!"

I smiled and graciously said "thank you, Mr. President."

He congratulated the bride and groom, and before he walked off the stage, he turned and talked to me for a few seconds about his day in court. HA!  When he got to the bottom of the stairs off the stage, I started to play The National Anthem.

Everyone instantly stood and sang . . . loudly . . .  with their hand over the heart . . .  looking at President Trump. 

I was done, and as I walked down the slippery makeshift stairs, President Trump grabbed my hand to help me down.

We had a brief salutation  . . . and then he was off (with a dozen secret service members escorting him). 

The next day before we packed up, as we were heading to our room we noticed a beautiful woman sitting out on the balcony next to our room. It was Melania. She was dressed in all-white. Hair in a ponytail. She was reading. Maybe she was working on her new book? I think so. On another trip up to our room we could see President Trump through the window, wearing a white golf shirt, talking to a woman in housekeeping making up his room. He was smiling. They were friendly. 

Everyone at Mar-a-Lago loves President Trump. They adore him.

Not knowing if I'd ever get the opportunity to return, I tried to take in all the detail of this Palm Beach mansion. The three days blew by, and before we knew it, we were driving back out through the security gates, and on our way back home to Minnesota.

I now have two favorite places where I've had the opportunity to peform. The White House. And now Mar-a-Lago. What a beautiful and legendary place with such history. 

Many people have different opinions about President Trump. Some people like him, some people dislike him, and some people absolutely love him. No matter what you think about President Trump, there is one thing we can all agree on.

I got to play for the most famous person in the world.

And . . . 

"Wow. What a talent."

ALL TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY, JULY 7TH

This year we will be going on sale for ALL TICKETS . . . VIP GROUPS and GENERAL tickets on Monday, July 7th at 9AM. The on-sale day will be a little different as we will be encouraging everyone to go on-line to pick your seats (rather than call our office). We think the overall experience will be better and you won't be inconvenienced with tied-up phone lines due to the amount of calls for 33 shows. So . . . plan to go onto our site lorieline.com on Monday, July 7th to pull and purchase the best seats available for you and/or your group! You can pick your seats and pay on line very efficiently. Of course, if you have questions or would like to speak to us in our office, we'd be happy to assist you (952-474-1000).

Please note: If you are SIGNED UP WITH LORIE (button at the top of our home page) and you get our regular eblasts, you are a VIP and will get first pick for seats before we mail our our Christmas brochure to all the fans.

ANNOUNCING NEW CITIES!!!

We have new cities this year! Be sure to look at the tour as we are coming and/or returning to some cities where we have not been in a long time. We couldn't be more excited about coming to see you.

ABOUT THE SHOW

The tradition continues! Lorie Line returns to the stage as a solo pianist and celebrates the Christmas season with faith-filled stories and the best-of-the-best holiday music. This year's tour marks her 36th year of touring. As always, expect beautiful costumes, elegant piano arrangements, funny stories, and personal tender words that reflect the true meaning of Christmas as she brings her concert grand piano to the center stage.

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Dear Fans,

Each month we offer our Lorie Line Linebackers a FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD. 

HE LOVED ME SO 

MARCH'S SHEET MUSIC OF THE MONTH! 

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(click here to download this month's pick)

(click here to purchase the book)

CLICK HERE FOR LICENSED SONGS ON SHEET MUSIC PLUS

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