ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:

Jessie Sparks

Sparks donned her producer cap once again late 2010, returning to Los Angeles from Melbourne accompanied by her old-school yet fresh Soul/Rhythm/Blues sound and five tunes to form a new original EP. Based on a past performance and friendship, Sparks was humbled and privileged to jam one of her latest tracks “Calendar Years” with Willie and Joe Chambers, two of the five brothers from 60’s sensation The Chambers Brothers who had # 1 hits such as “Time Has Come Today.” Sparks wrote the song specifically for the three, and given the brothers are harmony masters since way back attending church choir as children in Mississippi, it was all smiles in studio. The single has recently lead to Sparks’ nomination for ‘Best Blues Artist’ at this year’s Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Her four other tracks-- “More Suitable Type,” “Feel The Love,” “Untouchable” and “Bow Down” -- were written and laid down with equal intent and zeal.

In her early teens Sparks lived in Illinois spending a little time in upstate New York and Iowa, receiving accolades for her vocals even back then. Upon her return she was granted a Vocal Scholarship to the Victorian College Of The Arts to complete her secondary studies, meanwhile co-producing and hosting music specials on community based Channel 31 TV and 3MBS Radio. Start of 1999 saw Sparks move to Los Angeles playing open mic nights and venues. In 2000 she initiated a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts at Deakin University in Australia and independently released a debut EP that received commercial airplay on Fox Radio. Relocating to Vancouver, Canada, Sparks worked on more material at Barrell House Sound and Craft House Studio and throughout 2002 was keenly received by audiences all over British Columbia.

Eventually returning home, Sparks recorded singles for various producers including Jhay C at Hi-End Productions where she later recorded another original EP. After collaborating on other recordings with Greg O'Shea, she also did live independent EP’s with ‘Strange Fruit Jazz Band’ and ‘The Jessie Sparks Duo’. In 2005 Sparks endorsed tracks for two SBS TV series, and entered into still now continued partnerships with some of Victoria's leading entertainment agencies, festivals, live music venues and event management companies.

One of the greatest inspirations and harshest critics in Sparks’ life is her now 86-year-old grandfather Thomas Cerbasi. A maestro at piano and guitar (although his only teacher has been himself and only audience their small family), Tom pushed Sparks to crush chords and branch away from standard progressions and repetition. Throughout and beyond her education and wild life experiences, Sparks heavily committed to exploring numerous facets of voice, piano, musicianship and dramatic art, inspiring a current repertoire and delivery that cannot help but strike a chord with devoted listeners or those who meet her music by chance. “I know I’ll dig jamming until I’m old and grey regardless, but to share my sound with a wide and varied audience, hoping to console, energize or at least get someone’s hand tapping on the steering-wheel in a freeway jam is simply what it's all about!”

Vince Hatfield:
From West Texas to Nashville

Vince Hatfield is from a small West Texas town called Big Spring, approximately 40 miles east of Midland. Growing up as the son of a hard working welder and oil refinery worker, his life was set to music at an early age. Vince was raised before the onslaught of cable television, which means his family had to create its own entertainment most of the time. What better way to do that than through playing great music.

Vince’s inspiration for music came from country music icons like Marty Robbins, Bobby Goldsboro, Merle Haggard and Ronnie Milsap. Early in his career, Vince had to work a job to pay the bills like most of the rest of us. His first job included cleaning the inside of old oil tanks. If country’s roots are laid during challenging circumstances, Vince has an entire system of roots from which to draw inspiration. He got his encouragement by singing and playing country standards at family gatherings and he soon began to develop his own style. He went on to record with some of the best producers and musicians in Nashville and was able to put out some great albums. He continues to find new and different songs to release, Vince has had thus far 30 different charted singles, and he says he still loves country music as much as ever.

Known for his unique sound and ballads, Vince receives as much, if not considerably more, national and international attention than inside his home state of Texas. Vince has won the prestigious award as New Music Weekly’s 2010 “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” and New Music Weekly’s 2010 “Country Male Artist of the Year.” Vince has charted several #1 hits on the country charts at New Music Weekly and is finally getting the recognition he has long deserved. This award follows the course of a career history that has already included five Billboard songs that reached the top 100, as well as major scores on the Music Row and New Music Weekly Charts. Currently Vince is riding high on the IMN Charts with his hit single, “I Ain’t Quite Fallin’ Yet.”

For more on Vince Hatfield, go to www.vincehatfield.com