The Gratitude of Cori Yarckin by: Jeff Hightower

If I had to build the perfect pop/rock artist, it would turn out to be a lot like Cori Yarckin. With 15 years of miles put in and still at a very young age, Cori is ideally what you would want out of a pop/rock star. She can dance, sing, write, and act. Originally from the Orlando area, she has put in more touring miles than most artists twice her age. With a great voice, stellar live performances, and a sexy look that could turn anyone’s head, stand back and enjoy a fully packaged entertainer who still has her head on straight and feet firmly planted on the ground. With the release of “Ringing In My Head”, she now has a solid album of songs that showcases the maturity of a veteran, and the fire of an untainted artist who pulls from her heart and soul. From being featured on UPS’s music reality series “Road to Stardom with Missy Elliot”, to her acting career on Nickelodeon’s “Noah Knows Best”, to her amazing popularity on myspace.com (www.myspace.com/coriyarckin), she is primed to explode with the power of a true star. Focusing on touring and music, before long, you can expect to see Cori riding to the top of the charts with songs like “Gratitude” and “Shatterproof”. Recently we caught up with Cori to discuss her past, present and future in the music industry. HM - What was the catalyst that got you into music? CY - Well I was always around music being that I was a dancer for 15 years and heavily involved in musical theatre. But it was in high school that a friend and I started writing music together. And then I guess I just kind of stuck with it since then. HM - Being so close to a music deal, what goes through your head when you think about the road you traveled to get where you are? CY - I think that it’s been quite an experience that most people don’t get to have. Even though it has been a lot of work, and hard at times, it’s been a blast and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. HM - Being a woman in the music industry, do you think things are patterned more to the looks or sound of an artist and has this played an issue on your career? CY - Well in this day and age, it’s not just about looks, or the material, it’s about the whole package. For females, it seems to be the pattern that one can’t go without the other. This has definitely played a role in my career. Fortunately for me, I’m not an ogre and so like any smart business person, I’ve tried to capitalize on my strengths, including the way I look. There’s no shame in being self-confident in yourself now is there? J HM - “Ringing in My Head” has a pop/rock feel to it. Are you happy with your initial release and the public’s response to it? CY - Absolutely. For having little to no budget for this project and for doing most, if not all of the pre-production in a period of two weeks, I was completely happy with the way it turned out/sounds/etc. Obviously for a major label release, there is a lot of more money involved and you don’t have to cut corners like I’ve had to for this record. I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished with it and I stand behind it. HM - With the presence of myspace.com growing, do you think it could be the springboard that gets you the shot you are looking for, or are you true to the road with a heavy touring schedule with word of mouth, or both? CY - I’m hoping that both have an effect on where my career goes. I’ve been extremely lucky to have had the success on myspace that I’ve had. A lot of people are directly or indirectly connected to me through that and so I really hope that at some point it can be of service to that big break I need to take my career a step further. I’m all about touring and doing it that way as well. I can’t have fans all over the country if I don’t go and play for them now, right? I think a lot of people also question my validity as a performer etc. so I feel that I’ve got something to prove in that aspect. I think anyone who has come to a show can attest to the fact that I can hold my own on a stage. It’s what I love to do. HM - How hard has it been to steer away from the “pop model” and be the “engagingly original artist in an age of cookie cutter pop clones”? CY - It has always been a challenge. When I first started in the music industry, I had no idea what I really wanted to do and all the different people that were working with me would try to shove me into one of those cookie cutter molds, but for me it just was never right. It took me a long time and a lot of growing up to really discover who I was and develop that into my identity as the artist and performer that I am today. HM - With such a breakthrough album for a debut, there has to be one song that really hit close to home with you. Which on is it and why does it mean so much? CY - I’d say “Gratitude.” It’s about coming out of some sort of negative situation or relationship in a better way. Taking the curve balls that life throws at you and being a stronger person because of it. HM - With your hectic tour schedule, what are some of the more important rules of the road that you have learned? CY - Sleep! Eating right (or trying to). Staying healthy. And keeping in touch with your friends back at home. HM - I’ve been told that the only guarantee in music is that you get to play music. If it all ended today what would you look back on your career and say? CY - That it was a great ride. I got to do so many things that most people only dream of. I’ve met so many people and learned so much along the way. That sort of experience is invaluable. HM - With limitless talent and neverending drive, what do we expect to see next out of Cori Yarckin? What will be the point in your career when you can sit back and say that you’ve reached the point you have always strived for? CY - I don’t know if I’ll ever be happy at any point. There’s always more that you want to do and more that you want to conquer. (Hey, Napoleon Bonaparte and I have the same birthday… go figure). I’m in this for the long run. To check out more about Cori, her touring schedule, or see what she’s been up to, check out www.coriyarckin.com or www.myspace.com/coriyarckin . Purchase her album “Ringing In My Head” at www.cdfreedom.com/coriyarckin . * And as always, thank you to Cori for taking time to talk with us and let her experience help others in the music business.

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