SPARKS

Determined artist playing at Melting Point

By: WARREN HAMILTON

Posted: 9/12/08

Sparks will fly at The Melting Point Saturday night. Well maybe not fly, but she will sing and play guitar.

Nashville songstress Tori Sparks was initiated into the music business in 2003 when her debut EP, "Tidewaters," was picked up by an independent music label. In 2005, fresh out of college at Florida State University, she released her first album and made her first music video, "Rivers + Roads." Shortly thereafter, however, the Nashville label went under.

Determined to succeed in spite of the setback, Sparks threw herself into eight straight months of touring and self-promoting, which ultimately paid off in radio airtime in the U.S, Canada, New Zealand Australia, Belgium, and other parts of Europe.

TORI SPARKS

Who: Tori Sparks, Monte Montgomery
When: Saturday - doors open at 7:30 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Melting Point
Price: $12 in advance, $15 at the door

Sparks' newest album, "Under This Yellow Sun" (2007) was released on Sparks' own Nashville-based record label, Glass Mountain Records.

"It's a good feeling, but when you make a mistake, you know it's your own mistake. But every label, just like every gig, is different," Sparks said.

In addition to promoting her own music, Sparks also has taken time to promote worthy causes along the way. Among other projects, she was recognized by publications such as The Village Voice and Paste Magazine, as well as NBC, ABC and FOX networks for her work on the "Feed Your Soul Guitar Project" benefiting Oxfam America, an organization that fights hunger and poverty worldwide.

"It's hard not to (get involved). I just can't help but get excited," she said. "Benefit concerts are a lot of fun."

So what has Sparks gained from her tireless and at times selfless work ethic? The soulful singing, unique guitar playing (and often thumping) and exquisite songwriting featured on "Under the Yellow Sun" earned her the opportunity to work with industry standouts such as producer David Henry (R.E.M, Widespread Panic) and drummer Steve Bowman (Counting Crows).

She also has given guest lectures to Professor Bruce Burch's Music Business classes at the University.

"It's a service that I can provide," she said.

Under This Yellow Sun also has had great commercial success, selling well overseas, as well as earning licensing agreements with MTV, Oxygen and Lifetime networks for use with their programming.

"I can't lie, when you hear your name next to The White Stripes, it's like, 'cool!'"

Sparks will be performing her spirited live show, featuring sometimes tear-jerking songs and side-splitting wit. Her mix of blues and rock will be followed by Monte Montgomery who was called one of the "Top 50 All-Time Greatest Guitarists" in a 2004 issue of Guitar Player Magazine.