When local singer/songwriter Lauren Corzine looked at the playlist put in front of her, it was a dealmaker.
The McAllen native had been asked if she would ever consider being part of a Taylor Swift tribute band. At the time, the world was struggling, dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and her father, Phil Corzine, pastor of Christian Fellowship Church in McAllen, gave her one piece of advice: “Are you in any position to turn down gigs?”
The answer was an emphatic no — and suddenly Corzine was launched into the world of Swift, of whom she’d already been a huge fan of for many years.
Now, Corzine is with her own band, and, after selling out every show around Texas with her previous tribute band, will hold its first public Taylor Swift Tribute on May 7 at Las Palmas Race Park in Mission. Gates open at 7 p.m. and opening act Ashley Falls kicks off the show at 7:30 p.m. “Red: A Taylor Swift Tribute” is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m.
For years, Swift fans — “Swifties” as they are known — have taken little to no time to see Corzine and automatically recognize the likeness. During the McAllen Car Show in 2015 at the McAllen Convention Center, several young Swift fans were enamored with the fact that Corzine not only looked like Swift, but sang and had the mannerisms of one of the biggest and most trending singers worldwide.
It wasn’t an overnight deal, however. Corzine has been a performer for a long time. She likes to say, “I was performing since I could walk. I like to say that I was a performer before I was a musician. I always liked being in front of people and I knew that since I was very young.”
“I’ve always loved her music and she’s one of the main reasons I picked up a guitar. I think I’ve just watched her so much that naturally I think I have her essence.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit Blue Sunday
Child Abuse Prevention, a local organization that began in Harlingen and has seen tremendous growth.
Corzine also has written several songs, and will perform some at the show.
“Taylor Swift has had such a major impact on me and so many people so to be doing this is amazing,” Corzine said, adding that with her previous Swift tribute band, she remembers the curtain opening to rabid fans who were in tears to “see” their favorite artist.
“It was crazy when I first went on stage to do the show,” Corzine said. “I went to a Taylor show once and had my photo taken several times with people who weer like, ‘hey you look like Taylor.’ I love this. She’s had such an influence on me and so many other people, it’s amazing.”
Corzine says she will be at her best during the tribute show. She will perform some of Swift’s most recognizable and favorite songs, and mix in a few of her own.
“I love doing this,” Corzine said. “Some people ask why would you want to sing other artist’s songs but these are songs I grew up with and would sing all the time at my house and everywhere. She has had such a major impact on so many people. It’s a blessing to be able to be a part of this and celebrate with ‘Swifties’ from all over.”
