Caroline Corr
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Caroline Georgina Corr, MBE (born 17 March 1973, in Dundalk, County Louth) is the drummer for the folk-rock band, The Corrs. Caroline is 5'4", the second shortest after Andrea Corr in the band & family. In addition to the drums, Caroline also plays the bodhrán, piano, and occasional backing vocals. The Corr siblings were awarded honorary MBEs in 2005 by Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of their musical talents and also their charitable work which has raised money for Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, victims of the Omagh Bombing and other charities.
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[edit] Biography
Caroline Corr was born in Dundalk,in 1973, 17 March at County Louth, on the east coast of Ireland, which is 50 miles north of Dublin, to Jean and Gerry Corr. She was brought up in a Catholic household. Caroline has an elder sister Sharon Corr (b.1970), Elder brother Jim Corr (b.1964) & an youger sister Andrea Corr (b.1974). She was sent to the same school "Dun Lughaidh Convent" like her sisters. Caroline used to work at McManus's in Dundalk together with her sisters.
[edit] Personal Life
Caroline got married with Frank Woods, her boy friend for many years in August 2002 in Spain. Their first child, Jake, was born in 12 February 2003 and was joined by a second baby Georgina in October 2004 which led to her taking some time off from the band's activities. On December 1, 2006, Caroline gave birth to a baby girl, the couple's third child.
[edit] Caroline & The Corrs: The Road to Stardom
Music has always been in Dundalk's blood & as Caroline grew up their, she and her siblings had a dream to do something special in music. She and her siblings formed a band called The Corr. Caroline & her siblings were exposed to music from a very young age. For twenty years her parents Jean and Gerry played ballads and folk tunes in local bands, and formed their own band called "Sound Affair". With Jean singing and Gerry playing the keyboards they performed covers of songs by various famous bands like. Even at this stage little Caroline and her siblings Caroline & her three siblings travelled with Jean and Gerry to gigs in the family estate car. As The Corrs approached their teenage years, they worked on vocal harmonies and instrumental skills in Jim's bedroom, a house which he rented around the corner. Jim played the guitar, Andrea was the lead singer, and Sharon and Caroline on the keyboards. They used a drum machine on the keyboards for rhythm.
Caroline was taught the piano by her father Gerry from a very early age like her other siblings. The bodhran was another instrument that Caroline learned in a very early age. She incredibly learned this instrument by watching videos of traditional Irish musicians playing it.
They rehearsed a lot at Jim's place in his studio furnished with bits and pieces from the kitchen like egg cartons and fruit boxes. First couple of years, they spent weekends and nights trying to get the perfect sound together. The sound which they achieved first was a synthesised pop rock and soon other instruments were incorporated. Sharon incorporated the violin and Caroline only used the bodhran for instrumental songs. After, they hooked up with Bill Whelan, a man with brains behind Riverdancing to try and get the sound.
In 1990 when they auditioned for Alan Parker's movie, "The Commitments". John Hughes, the musical director of the movie saw how talented they were but was not interested in managing a band. However, he wasn't going to let them go and soon became their future manager.
The Corrs first amateur video was "Secret Life". John realised that it wasn't enough and thought that the band might need a first gig. He setted up the first show in Dublin to see if there were any record companies interested. The Corrs first public performance was at the Waterfront. The place was filled with their parents, friends, relations and John's showbiz friends. The crowd were impressed and enjoyed themselves. However, the record companies didn't turn up. The Corrs set about familiarising for playing live. There were many commitments after playing live, like homework. The band finally became stronger and stronger but they still needed a drummer. Caroline was 18, when the Corrs were without a drummer, that she started to learn the drums. An old boyfriend had a drum kit, and he showed her some basic beats. With the help of "teach yourself CD's," Caroline was able to learn simple drum loops and rolls. Armed with this small amount of knowledge, she then proceeded to become the drummer in the band, and had all her training by playing live. And her journey as The Corrs drummer began.
The Corrs first professional gig was on the 27 March 1993 at Whealan's Music Bar in Dublin. This was the first time Caroline played live on the drums.Behind the audience was Jean Kennedy, the American ambassador to Ireland. She came as a guest of Bill Whealan and was impressed that she invited the band to play at the JFK library in Boston June 1994, when America was hosting the soccer World Cup, in which Ireland was playing. As well as assorted congressmen and senators, including Ted Kennedy, the guests included the then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) and Albert Reynolds. They were overwhelmed by their music. The Corrs still haven't got a record deal yet and so extended their Boston gig to include a trip to New York and Los Angeles. They done all of New York and Los Angeles and still no deal.
The band went back to New York to the Atlantic Records where they played a demo tape.Jason Flom saw how good they were and told them to meet with the vice president and president, David Foster. The band met him & played for him knowing he couldn't resist. They played the tape first before playing live infront of him. Jim was on the piano, Caroline on the bodhran, Sharon the violin and of course, Andrea on the tin whistle. It was the first time David heard of traditional Irish music and gave them a 10/10.
David Foster liked the band, songs and harmonies. But having the violin, bodhran and tin whistle was totally a different story. When the band played "Toss the Feathers" to him, he had never ever considered on putting it on the record. However, the band loved playing it and it was also a great deal of fun. After many struggles, David finally accepted it. David Foster was afraid that if he took it too far, they start having an American sound and so asked John to be the co-producer to keep that unique sound going.
In January 1995, The Corrs went to Malibu to record their first ever debut album at Foster's studio, over a period of 5 months.In September 1995, The Corrs released their album, "Forgiven Not Forgotten".
[edit] Discography
Caroline Corr has released many albums and singles as a part of The Corrs. Here is the list:
Albums
2. Live
4. Talk on Corners : Special Edition
5. Unplugged
6. In Blue
7. In Blue : Special Edition
9. Live in Dublin
10. Borrowed Heaven
11. Home
12. Dreams : The Ultimate Collection
Singles
From "Forgiven Not Forgotten"
1. Runaway
3. Love To Love You
5. Closer
From "Talk on Corners"
3. What Can I Do
4. Dreams
5. So Young
6. Runway (Tin Tin Out Mix)
From "Unplugged"
1. Radio
2. Old Town
From "In Blue"
1. Breathless
2. Irresistible
3. Give Me A Reason
From "Best Of The Corrs"
1. "Would You Be Happier"
From "Borrowed Heaven"
2. Angel
3. Long Night
From "Home"
1. Old Town & Heart Like a Wheel
[edit] Awards & Nominations
Caroline Corr has been awarded & nominated on various occasions as a part of the talented group The Corrs. Here is the list of those:
2006
Meteor Ireland Music Award
Category: Best Irish Band (Nominated)
2005
Big Buzz Award
Category: Best Irish Pop Act (Won)
Meteor Ireland Music Award
Category: Best Irish Pop Act (Nominated)
2004
Pepsi Award
Category: Best Irish Act (Won)
2003
Irish World Award
Category: Best International Pop Act (Won)
2002
Hot Press Irish Music Awards
Category: Best Pop Act (Won)
TMF Award
Category: Best International Pop Group (Nominated)
I RMA Music Award
Category: Best Irish Pop Act (Nominated)
IRMA Music Award
Category: Best Irish Pop Album (Nominated)
2001
NRJ Music Award
Category: Best International Group (Won)
Concert Capital Award (Won)
Singapore Radio Music Award
Category: Best Pop Group (Nominated)
Billboard Music Video Award
Category: Best Adult Contemporary Clip of the Year for "All the Love in the World" (Nominated)
Grammy Award
Category: Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Rebel Heart" (Nominated)
Grammy Award
Category: Best Pop Performance By a Duo/Group with Vocal for "Breathless" (Nominated)
Brit Award
Category: Best International Group (Nominated)
Echo Award
Category: Best International Group (Nominated)
APRA Music Award
Category: Most Peformed Foreign Work for "Breathless" (Nominated)
Nokia TMF Award
Category: Best Live Act (Nominated)
Capital FM's London Award
Category: London's Favourite International Group (Nominated)
2000
My VH1 Music Award
Category: Best Kept Secret (Won)
Singapore Radio Music Award
Category: Best Pop Group (Won)
Capital FM's London Award
Category: London's Favourite International Group (Won)
M6 Award
Category: Best International Female Artist (Nominated)
NRJ Music Award
Category: Best International Group (Nominated)
Premios Amigo Award
Category: Best International Group (Nominated)
Billboard Music Video Award
Category: Best Jazz-AC for "Breathless" (Nominated)
1999
Brit Award
Category: Best International Group (Won)
World Music Award
Category: World's Biggest-Selling Irish Act (Won)
Heineken Hot Press Rock Award
Category: Best Live Performance in Ireland by an Irish Act for "Landsdowne Road" (Won)
Heineken Hot Press Rock Award
Category: Best Irish Band (Won)
Heineken Hot Press Rock Award
Category: Best Pop Act (Nominated)
Ivor Novello Award
Category: Best Contemporary Song for "What Can I Do" (Nominated)
Heineken Hot Press Rock Award
Category: Best Irish Album for "Talk On Corners" (Nominated)
1998
Irish National Entertainment Award
Category: Popular Music (Won)
HMV international award (Won)
Premios Amigo Award
Category: Best International Group (Won)
Premios Amigo Award
Category: Best International Album for "Talk On Corners" (Won)
Billboard Music Video Award
Category: Best Jazz-AC (Nominated)
Billboard Music Video Award
Category: New Artist Clip for "Dreams" (Nominated)
Q Award
Category: Best Album for "Talk On Corners" (Nominated)
1997
Premios Amigo Award
Category: Best International Album for "Forgiven Not Forgotten" (Won)
1996
IRMA Music Award
Category: Best New Irish Act (Won)
1993
CARA Award
Category: Best Newcomers (Won)
[edit] Trivia
Caroline's favourite movie is Truly, Madly, Deeply.
Caroline can eat virtually anything without having to watch her figure.
Caroline was born at home.
Caroline is allergic to feather pillows.
Caroline's best friend is her sister Andrea Corr.
[edit] Personal Quotes'
"Our parents were very strict. Not in a brutal or awful way, but there were definite rules, such as after six on a school night you didn't go out, and at weekends you had to be home by a certain time. It wasn't particularly sheltered, but we were well brought-up."
"I really didn't even have time to get that many lessons, to be honest, because I was suddenly on the road. I was kind of thrown in the deep end. But that wasn't a bad thing when I look back at it." On her being the Drummer.
"I remember my first show was a live TV show in Ireland, and I was just petrified. It was horrific."
"I would like not only to have a successful band, but I want to have children, a home, and a husband. Two or three. Children, not husbands!!!"
"I've always stayed pretty fit. I felt I needed to give myself energy by exercising and things like that."
"It was funny cos we all seemed to take on different instruments, the only instrument we all play is the piano actually which our father taught us as kids."
"It's been crazy trying to tour with a baby. But it's actually working out okay."
"Jim never hit us but we girls used to fight. Plenty of hair was pulled!"
"Male or female - if you want to play drums, go for it!"
[edit] External links
| The Corrs |
| Andrea | Caroline | Jim | Sharon |
| Discography |
| Albums: Forgiven, Not Forgotten | Live | Talk on Corners | Unplugged | In Blue | Best of | Live in Dublin | Borrowed Heaven | Home | Dreams |
| Singles: Runaway | Forgiven, Not Forgotten | The Right Time | Love to Love You | Closer | Only When I Sleep | I Never Loved You Anyway | What Can I Do | Dreams | I Know My Love | Radio | Old Town | Rainy Day | Breathless | Irresistible | Give Me a Reason | All the Love in the World | Would You Be Happier | When the Stars Go Blue | Summer Sunshine | Angel | Long Night | Heart Like a Wheel/Old Town | Goodbye |
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