Cindy Lou Harrington is an award-winning singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist with five independent albums released through Atlanta-based GOC Records, Inc. Known for her pure velvety vocals and versatility in genres from country-rock, to pop, blues and gospel, she is joined on stage by her two daughters Brittany (age 18) and Taylor (age 15). Their powerful live performances, strong-harmony arrangements, and extraordinary songwriting are showcased regularly at venues throughout the Southeast. Along with her band (a who’s who of Atlanta studio session players), recent performances have included opening for Kathy Mattea at Atlanta's Fox Theatre and sharing the stage with established country-rock act, Sawyer Brown, at Georgia's Southern Star Amphitheater. More intimate performances occur regularly at venues such as Atlanta’s Eddie’s Attic and Swallow at the Hollow and Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley and the French Quarter.
Solo, Harrington has kicked off Atlanta Braves games three times with her performance of the National Anthem. In the year 2000, the State of Georgia and Civitan International honored her with one of the State's highest citizenship awards: "The Big Heart Award." This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated "a truly humanitarian spirit, a commitment to good citizenship, and a dedication to improving the lives of Georgians." The first composer to receive that award, she joins a list of honorees that have included Vince Dooley, Dale Murphy, and Senators Sam Nunn, Zell Miller, and Max Cleland. Her citizenship accolades continued when she was nominated for a “Tommy Award” from Atlanta’s Tommy Nobis Center for originating the M.I.R.A.C.L.E. Project (recognized by Billboard Magazine) which outlines a music industry educational program providing equal opportunities for all Georgians, including those with disabilities).
Harrington was the president of the Georgia Music Industry Association (GMIA) from 2001-2004, and she is a voting member of the Recording Academy. Early in her career, she was chosen "Recording Artist of the Year" by the Atlanta Society of Entertainers, and many of her songs received “Best of Country” status from GMIA. Off-stage, Harrington's audience consists of disabled students, many of whom have had a major impact on her music. She credits her "special kids" with the inspiration for her song, "Let Me Win," which was performed with her daughters and a featured student with disabilities, at the 1996 Paralympic Torch Ceremonies. The song continues to be used statewide as an anthem for the Georgia Special Olympics. Harrington’s original song "The First Bright Star" was featured at the annual televised Atlanta "Rich's Great Christmas Tree Lighting" ceremony and her song "Dirt Track Racing" was written for the Dixie Motor Speedway and received airplay from New York to Missouri. Her tribute, "Home to Atlanta," has been featured on two of Atlanta major television stations and was broadcast internationally from an acclaimed internet website.
Growing up the daughter of a Southern Baptist minister, Harrington learned the basics of performing in some of the largest churches in the South. She was born in upstate New York near her father's "yankee" relatives, but the family moved back south when Harrington was five years old. As she grew up, she was highly influenced by her Memphis-born mom’s love of music, her father's involvement as a director of barbershop quartet choruses (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A), and her older brother’s participation in “The New Christy Minstrels” (he played banjo in one of the traveling versions of the famous group). During high school and college in Tallahassee, Florida, Harrington worked for five consecutive summers in a band at Six Flags Over Georgia, receiving a scholarship from their Live Show Department. After college, Harrington moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she continues to reside with her two daughters, Taylor and Brittany. Harrington is a graduate of Florida State University and holds a dual degree in Orientation and Mobility for the Blind and Special Education for Visually Impaired, K-12.