Cormier Finally Finds His "Place"

More than three decades of playing music has taken Holliston singer/songwriter Jim Cormier to bars, lounges, fairs, carnivals and baseball games all over New England.

But one thing was missing. Until now.

After spending four years recording in his spare time, Cormier recently put the finishing touches on his debut solo album, "A Place for Me." The disc, a heavily-autobiographical album with some songs more than 30 years old, runs the gamut from country music, pop and rock.

The album, which is on sale at , iTunes, Rhapsody, www.cdbaby.com and at Cormier's website, has sold well since its release, according to Cormier.

"This is definitely the fulfillment of a lifelong dream," said the 62-year-old Cormier, a Holliston resident since 1983. "To accomplish this at my age is a thrill most people never get."

The seeds of this dream were planted in Cormier's childhood by his parents, both of whom played guitar, sang and performed at local venues. Like several of his nine brothers and sisters, Cormier caught the music bug, eventually making it a lifelong passion.

"(My parents) were literally the catalyst for our love of creating and performing," said Cormier. "There was always country music playing in the house and they would sing at clubs or at the Knights of Columbus. Even now when we all get together, everybody is singing or playing guitar."

Family and music remained the foundation of Cormier's life through the 1970s, during which he was the lead singer in a band called Brothers Kingdom with his brothers Tom and John. The trio performed at clubs and concerts throughout the New England, playing original music in addition to cover songs from The Eagles, The Beatles, The Doobie Brothers and Eric Clapton.

After the band broke up in the late 70s, Cormier continued as a solo act, playing various gigs in his spare time while raising a family. He also opened a in 1987, making a career out of his other passion. Cormier competed in regional and national tournaments throughout the Northeast in the 80s, placing in the top four in every event.

After earning a seventh degree black belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate in 1999, Cormier attained the rank of Shihan (Master) before adding a third degree black belt in Hakkoryu Jujitsu (2003), a fourth degree black belt in Yoshitsune Jujitsu (2005) and a third degree black belt in Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu (2009) over the next decade.

He has been inducted to two different martial arts Halls of Fame, going into the World Martial Arts HOF as a “Master Instructor of the Year” in 2000 before 2004 selection to the World Martial Arts Federation hall.

Cormier has also run a host of self-defense seminars for non-profit organizations, church programs, women’s groups, businesses and adult education classes.

He has been also served as a guest instructor at other martial arts schools throughout New England and has trained local police departments on advanced self-defense and weapons tactics.

Adding to his athletic resume, Cormier is a member of the Mudville Base Ball Club, which tours the country playing the game by 1863 rules.

Nevertheless, the call of music lingered and his stockpile of original songs grew over time. In 2007, his good friend Jim Laprad, began recording Cormier on occasional Monday nights at Nor'easter Studios in Milford. What began as just Cormier and his guitar evolved when several others joined the project to provide backing instuments and fill out the album's tracks.

Tom Yoder played violin and mandolin work, while Tom Dean of the Nu-Utopians, a John Lennon cover band, lent backing guitar on the album's title song.

Holliston's Scott Murawski of Max Creek also played guitar on the album, while Cormier's brother, Mike, provided instrumental tracks in addition to producing, mixing and mastering the finished product.

Though the thrill of releasing his debut album remains fresh, Cormier is already working on his second disc. This album, Cormier said, will take about two years to complete and will be recorded and produced at his brother Mike's studio in Somerset.

"Right now, we're working on the arrangements, but the songs are in the tank, ready to go," said Cormier.