Andrea Corr

Infobox musical artist
Name = Andrea Corr

---

Img_capt =Andrea Corr performing at Glastonbury, 1999.
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Andrea Jane Corr
Born = birth date and age|1974|5|17|df=y
Origin = Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Genre = Pop, Rock, Celtic
Occupation = Singer-Songwriter, Actor
Instrument = Tin whistle, Vocals, Piano
Years_active = 1990-present
Associated_acts = The Corrs
Label = 143 Records (until 2002) Lava Records (until 2002) Atlantic Records Warner Music Group
URL = [http://www.andreacorr.co.uk/ Andrea Corr's Official Website]

Andrea Jane Corr MBE (born 17 May 1974) is an Irish singer, and actor. Corr debuted in 1990 as the frontwoman of the Celtic folk rock and pop rock group, The Corrs, which consists of herself and her three siblings, Caroline, Sharon and Jim. As a band, they are notable for their hit singles, including their debut "Runaway" and "Breathless." Aside from singing lead vocals, she can play the tin whistle and the piano which was taught by her father.cite web|url=http://www.absolutedivas.com/corrs/biography.shtml|title=Absolute Divas - The Corrs biography]

With The Corrs, she has released five studio albums, two compilation albums, one remix album and two live albums. The Corrs are currently on hiatus because Sharon, Jim and Caroline are raising their children, while Andrea is pursuing a solo career, releasing her debut album, "Ten Feet High", in 2007.cite news |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a30891/no-new-material-planned-for-the-corrs.html |title=No new material planned for The Corrs |publisher=Digital Spy |date=25 March 2006 |accessdate=2006-08-02] cite web |url=http://www.inthenews.co.uk/infocus/entertainment/music/andrea-corr-goes-solo-$1083115.htm |title=Andrea Corr goes solo |author=Thomas, Charlie| publisher=Inthenews.co.uk |date=2007-05-08 |accessdate=2007-11-02] The album moved away from the folk-rock genre of The Corrs, and features a darker, edgier dance-pop sound. [cite web |url=http://wc06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll |title=Andrea Corr-Overview |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=2007-11-21]

Corr is involved in philanthropic activities. She has played charity concerts to raise money for the Pavarotti & Friends Liberian Children's Village, Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, the victims of the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland and The Prince's Trust in 2004.cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/193986.stm |title=Ally McBeal star sued by real life lawyers |publisher=BBC News |date=1998-10-15 |accessdate=2007-11-21] [cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/city-honours-the-corrs-348472.html |title=City honors the Corrs |author=McKiernan, Joseph |publisher=Independent Newspaper |date= 2001-04-13 |accessdate=2007-11-02] cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/211451.stm |title=Madonna pens bedtime story for charity |publisher=BBC |date= 1998-11-10 |accessdate=2007-11-02] cite web |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2005/11/08/story686041504.asp |title=Corrs left breathless over MBE honor |author=O'Doherty, Caroline |publisher=Irish Examiner |date= 2005-11-08 |accessdate=2007-11-02] She is an ambassador for the Nelson Mandela's "46664" campaign, raising awareness towards AIDS in Africa. [cite web |url=http://www.southafrica.info/mandela/46664.htm |title=46664 - 1 minute for AIDS in South Africa |month=October |year=2007 |accessdate=2007-11-02] During the Edinburgh Live 8 on 2 July 2005, The Corrs performed "When the Stars Go Blue" alongside Bono to promote the Make Poverty History campaign.cite web |url=http://www.thelive8concert.com/artists.htm |title=Live 8 Concert |publisher=Live 8 |accessdate=2007-11-02] As a result, she had received an honorary MBEs for her contribution to music and charity in 2005. [cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/1107/corrs.html |title=Honorary MBEs awarded to the Corrs |publisher=RTÉ Entertainment |accessdate=2007-11-02] [cite web |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=470&docID=2286 |title= Award of Honorary MBE to the Corrs |last=Ahern |first=Bertie |publisher=Roinn an Taoisigh |date=7 November 2005 |accessdate=2005-11-09]

Biography

Early years

Corr was born to Gerry Corr, a manager of the payroll department of the Irish Electricity Board, and his wife, Jean, a homemaker. [cite web |url=http://www.enotes.com/contemporary-musicians/corrs-biography |title = The Corrs biography - Contemporary Musicians |author= Borden, Timothy |publisher=Enotes.com| accessdate=2007-11-01] They raised their family in Dundalk, Ireland. [cite web |url=http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/cosmo1/corrs.htm |title=The Corrs Cosmopolis English Edition|month=December | year=1999 |accessdate=2007-11-01] Gerry and Jean had their own band, Sound Affair, which played songs by ABBA and The Eagles in local pubs where they would often bring along their children.cite web |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/corrs/ |title=The Corrs |publisher=Hello! Magazine |accessdate=2007-11-01] [cite book |last=Cornwell |first=Jane |title=The Corrs |publisher=Virgin Publishing Ltd. |year=1999 |location=London |pages=16 |isbn=185227-840-4]

With the encouragement of her parents, Corr took up the tin whistle [cite web |url=http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608002865/The-Corrs.html |title = The Corrs lyrics and biography |publisher=Musicianguide.com |accessdate=2007-11-01] and was taught the piano by their father. Throughout their teenage years, she and her siblings would often practice in Jim's bedroom at a house he had rented. Andrea sang lead vocals, Sharon played the violin and both Caroline and Jim played keyboards. [cite book |last=Cornwell |first=Jane | title = The Corrs |publisher=Virgin Publishing Ltd. |year=1999 |location=London |pages=21 |isbn= 185227-840-4] Corr took part in school plays at her school, Dundalk's Dun Lughaidh convent. [cite book |last=Cornwell |first=Jane |title=The Corrs |publisher=Virgin Publishing Ltd. |year=1999 |location=London |pages=99 |isbn=185227-840-4]

1990-2006: The Corrs

In 1990, she and her siblings formed a quartet called The Corrs.cite web |url=http://people.famouswhy.com/andrea_corr/ |title=Andrea Corr - FamousWhy |publisher=FamousWhy |accessdate=2007-11-01] [cite book
last = Cornwell
first = Jane
title = The Corrs
publisher = Virgin Publishing Ltd.
year = 1999
location = London
pages = 102
isbn = 185227-840-4] Their career launched in 1991 when they auditioned for the film "The Commitments" where Andrea got a speaking role as Sharon Rabbitte.cite web |url=http://www.thecommitments.net/movie.html |title=The Commitments' Official Website|accessdate=2007-11-01] John Hughes noticed the quartet when they auditioned for the movie, and agreed to become their manager. [cite web |url=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1531:2061/1/The_Corrs.htm |title=The Biography Channel - The Corrs biography |publisher=The Biography Channel |accessdate=2007-11-01] The Corrs' signed with Atlantic Records in 1995 and travelled to North America to record their debut album, "Forgiven, Not Forgotten". The album featured six instrumental selections among its Celtic-influenced tracks. When released, it was successful in Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Spain. Success in the United States and the United Kingdom, however, was not immediately forthcoming. The album reached platinum status in the United Kingdom and Australia, and quadruple platinum in Ireland, which made it one of the most popular debuts by an Irish group. [ [http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=28057 "Forgiven, Not Forgotten" UK Certification] . The BPI. 15 January 1999. Retrieved 14 July 2007.] [ [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2000.htm "Forgiven, Not Forgotten" Australian Certification] . ARIA. Retrieved 14 July 2007.] cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/corrs/bio.jhtml|title=The Corrs|publisher=VH1.com|accessdate=2007-11-01] cite web|url=http://music.msn.com/music/artist-biography/the-corrs/|title=The Corrs on MSN Music]

Following the success of their debut album, the Corrs' released "Talk On Corners" and "In Blue" in 1997 and 2000 respectively.cite web |url=http://www.bandbiographies.com/corrs/biography.htm |title=The Corrs biography |publisher=Bandbiographies.com |accessdate=2007-11-01] "Talk on Corners" was met with lukewarm success but when a remix version was released, it topped the charts in many countries, and reached platinum status in the United Kingdom and Australia. [ [http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=28203 "Talk on Corners" UK Certification] . The BPI. 1 April 1999. Retrieved 14 July 2007.] [ [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-1999.htm "Talk on Corners" Australian Certification] . ARIA. Retrieved 14 July 2007.] "In Blue" moved towards mainstream pop, placing heavy emphasis on electronic synthesisers. It was successful, and was #1 in its first sales week in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and debuted at #2 in France and Norway. It climbed to the top position during its second week in Sweden and Spain. [cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4614460-1.html |title=The Corrs Eye U.S. Success |publisher=Billboard.com |date= 2000-08-21 |accessdate=2007-11-01]

During the production of "In Blue", Corr's mother, Jean, died while waiting for a lung transplant in Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. [cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/stars-of-music-world-gather-to-mourn-with-the-corr-family-521563.html |title=Stars of music world gather to mourn with the Corr family |publisher=Independent Newspaper |date= 2000-11-28|accessdate=2007-11-01] She was laid to rest at St. Patrick's cemetery in Dundalk. Bono, Larry Mullen, Brian Kennedy and Paul Brady were among the funeral's attendees. [cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/corrs-share-grief-as-mother-is-buried-391981.html |title=Corrs share grief as mother is buried |author=Keogh, Elaine |publisher=Independent Newspaper |date= 1999-11-29 |accessdate=2007-11-01] "No More Cry", written by Andrea and Caroline Corr for the album, was dedicated to their father to help with his grief. [cite web |url=http://www.thecorrswebsite.com/ppack/bluebio.htm |title=Corrs' main frame |accessdate=2007-11-01]

In 2003, Corr recorded "Time Enough For Tears", a song written by Bono and Gavin Friday for the film "In America". [cite web |url=http://www.showbizireland.com/news/november02/04-u2115.shtml |title=Bono & Gavin Frida: "Time Enough for Tears" |date= 2002-11-04 |accessdate=2007-11-02] [cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298845/ |title=In America (2002) |publisher=IMDB |accessdate=2007-11-02] This track was featured on The Corrs' 2004 album, "Borrowed Heaven".cite web |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/corrs.htm |title=The Corrs: Borrowed Heaven |author=Uthayashanker, Uma |publisher=MusicOMH.com |accessdate=2007-11-02] "Borrowed Heaven" was dedicated to their late mother, Jean, and their father, Gerry. [cite web |url=http://www.musicremedy.com/t/The_Corrs/album/Borrowed_Heaven-717.html |title=The Corrs & Heaven 'Borrowed Heaven' album|publisher=Music Remedy|accessdate=2007-11-02] The band also dedicated their 2005 tribute album, "Home", to their deceased mother. [cite web |url=http://www.cluas.com/music/albums/corrs-home.htm |title=The Corrs's album 'Home'|author=Maher, Gareth|publisher=CLUAS.com|accessdate=2007-11-02] The band covered many traditional Irish songs taken from their mother's songbook to commemorate their 15 years as a band.cite web |url=http://www.fingal-independent.ie/news/corrs-make-a-return-to-fingal-663098.html |title=Corrs make a return to Fingal |author=Murphy, Hubert |publisher=Fingal Independent |date= 2005-09-16 |accessdate=2007-11-02] [cite web |url=http://www.musicremedy.com/t/The_Corrs/album/Home-2329.html |title=The Corrs 'Home' album |publisher=MusicRemedy.com |accessdate=2007-11-02] [cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/the_corrs_home/ |title=The Corrs: Home |publisher=Popmatters.com|author=Weisinger, Mark|date= 2006-03-07|accessdate=2007-11-02]

2006-present: Solo career

While her siblings are on hiatus to raise their families, Corr launched a solo career. She released her first album, "Ten Feet High", on 25 June 2007. It was produced by Nellee Hooper, who has worked with Gwen Stefani and Madonna; Bono was an executive producer. [cite web |url=http://www.thecorrswebsite.com/news/feb07/feb06.htm |title=Andrea's New Album |publisher=The Corrs Official Website |date=6 February 2007 |accessdate=2007-02-06] Her first single, "Shame on You (to Keep My Love from Me)" was an up-tempo pop song about men and women going to war and leaving behind partners they may never see again. [http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Music-sotw/music-sotw Singles of the Week (18 June 2007)] . indielondon.co.uk. 18 June 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2007.] It received positive reviews from music critics; IndieLondon described the song as a "slick package" that was "polished, well produced and with a message that's difficult to ignore". "Losing Today"'s David Adair gave the song a strong review, writing that Corr's vocals were "crisp and uplifting". [David Adair. [http://www.losingtoday.com/reviews.php?review_id=3939 Single Reviews] . "Losing Today". Retrieved 22 June 2007.] Liverpool's "Daily Post" gave the song a three-star rating, commenting that it was "deceptively upbeat", which masked its "heavier message about conscription and war". [David Adair. [http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/FamousNews/MovieNewsFeed.aspx?story=11008 CD Review] . "Daily Post". 15 June 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2007.]

Other activity

Acting career

Corr entered the film industry in 1991 with Alan Parker's film, "The Commitments" where she had a speaking part as Sharon Rabbitte. In 1996, Parker was directing the film version of the rock opera "Evita" which starred Madonna. He was so keen on having Andrea in the film that he cast her as Juan Peron's mistress. [cite book
last = Cornwell
first = Jane
title = The Corrs
publisher = Virgin Publishing Ltd.
year = 1999
location = London
pages = 88
isbn = 185227-840-4] Corr provided the singing voice for Kayley in Warner Brothers' first fully animated film, 1998's "The Quest for Camelot". [cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120800/ |title=Quest for Camelot (1998) |publisher=IMDB |accessdate=2007-11-28] The film featured two new songs sung by Andrea and penned by David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager: "On My Father's Wings" and a duet with Bryan White, "Looking Through Your Eyes". These two songs were ultimately featured in the . [cite book
last = Cornwell
first = Jane
title = The Corrs
publisher = Virgin Publishing Ltd.
year = 1999
location = London
pages = 105
isbn = 185227-840-4]

Corr resumed her acting career in 2003 where she was cast as Anne in "The Boys from County Clare". The film was not a commercial success, but she won the "Film Discovery Jury Award" for Best Actress in the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival and was nominated for Best Actress in the IFTA Awards. [cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337631/awards |title=The Boys from County Clare (2003) - Awards|publisher=Imbd|accessdate=2007-11-28] During The Corrs' hiatus, she was featured in the 2005 film, "The Bridge" and "Broken Thread" in 2006. Nevertheless, these films were not successful.

Philanthropy

Corr and her siblings are philanthropists. They have played charity concerts to raise money for the Pavarotti & Friends Liberian Children's Village, Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, the victims of the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland, and The Prince's Trust in 2004. [cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/city-honours-the-corrs-348472.html |title=City honors the Corrs |author=McKiernan, Joseph |publisher=Independent Newspaper |date= 2001-04-31 |accessdate=2007-11-02] They are also ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela's "46664" campaign, where they performed live to raise awareness towards AIDS in Africa. [cite web |url=http://www.southafrica.info/mandela/46664.htm |title=46664 – 1 minute for AIDS in South Africa|month=October | year=2007|accessdate=2007-11-02] During the Edinburgh Live 8 on 2 July 2005, The Corrs performed "When the Stars Go Blue" alongside Bono to promote the Make Poverty History campaign. In recognition for their charity performances, the Corrs were made Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 by Queen Elizabeth II. [cite web |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=470&docID=2286 |title= Award of Honorary MBE to the Corrs |last=Ahern|first=Bertie|publisher=Roinn an Taoisigh|date=7 November 2005 |accessdate=2005-11-09]

Discography

With The Corrs

Albums

*1995: "Forgiven Not Forgotten"
*1997: "Talk on Corners"
*2000: "In Blue"
*2004: "Borrowed Heaven"
*2005: "Home"

Compilations and remix albums

*2001: "Best of The Corrs"
*2006: ""
*2007: "The Works"

Live albums

*1997: "The Corrs - Live"
*1999: "The Corrs Unplugged"
*2002: ""

Solo career

*2007: "Ten Feet High"

Filmography

Further reading

* Cornwell, Jane, "The Corrs", London: Virgin Publishing Ltd. ISBN 185227-840-4

References

External links

* [http://www.andreacorr.co.uk/ Andrea Corr Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/andreacorrofficial Andrea Corr Official MySpace]
*imdb name|id=0180639|name=Andrea Corr
* [http://www.thecorrswebsite.com/ The Corrs Official Website]