Artist Information Biography TORI AT A GLANCE: "A knockout!"       -The Village Voice "Gutsy, fiery delivery. Five Stars."       -All Music Guide "Truly, one of the most original artists I have heard in a long, long time."       -Music News Nashville *Tori plays on average 200 tour dates/year in the U.S. and Europe, in clubs, theaters, listening rooms, house concerts, juke joints, colleges. Her dynamic live show is equal parts soulful singing and audience interaction - she owns the room in any setting. * Tori's acclaimed third album The Scorpion in the Story currently in the Top 100 on the Americana Radio Charts, and is currently in the running for six possible Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist (details to come). *The bluesy murder ballad "Tall Towers" from the new album has been featured on the Paste Magazine New Music Sampler #53, on CMJ.com's "New Music Download,", and on Microsoft's Windows Media Player homepage. *Her song "Cold War" is included on the 2008 Universal Music France roots music compilation (40, 000+ copies sold). *The Scorpion in the Story was produced by indie rock veteran David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Josh Rouse, Cowboy Junkies). It features players such as Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Allison Krauss, Mindy Smith), Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell, Jill Sobule, Todd Snider), John Deaderick (Patty Griffin) , Barry Walsh (Gretchen Peters), Fats Kaplin (Mark Knopfler, Kevin Welch), more. *'Scorpion' is a concept album - it is a series of true stories, songs based on thirteen individuals Tori met while on the road in 2008. Includes a French version of the song "Merry Go-Round." *Tori's songs are licensed to MTV, Lifetime, and Oxygen Networks for use in their 2009 TV seasons. *Tori was the cover story for City at Night Magazine and Triangle Live (April/May 2008) ************************************************************************************** Interested in booking Tori to play or speak at your university? LIVE REVIEWS: "Miss Tori Sparks sent me on a trip with her deep, powerful voice and lyrics on September 3rd, at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village. She's a little bit of rock, a little bit of folk, and a lot bit of soul. There's pain behind her songs, but optimism in her demeanor - and she carries the two with nothing short of grace. …With an insightful connection to the world around her, a voice as deep as a canyon, three full albums and one EP under her belt, and a Tennessee charm that is nearly impossible to resist, this gal has got something truly magical to offer to the world." --Melissa Lynn, beIMAGED Blog NYC Tori Sparks is one of those independent singer-songwriters who’s so driven it seems like signing with a record label would only slow her down. The Scorpion In the Story—a concept album of sorts, co-produced with David Henry and inspired by a fable about acting according to one’s nature—is the second she’s released on her own Glass Mountain Records (a different indie label released her debut full-length. …Sparks sings with distinct intensity—an expressiveness honed during her college theater studies. …Scorpion is bluesy folk-rock in a Tom Waits vein: rough-edged, worldly-wise and potent.” --Jewly Hight, The Nashville Scene (Critic’s Pick) “When Tori began to sing I got chills down my entire body.  …I’m a fan of her recordings, but I was absolutely shocked at how great she was in the flesh, and from song to song, I just wanted more. Tori also talks to the audience in between, sometimes during her songs. Her approach was surprising, and it’s and something that I wish more artists would do. It really made the audience participants in a unique performance.  …The show was a success from every possible angle. …It’s obvious [Tori]was born to play, period.” --Ricky Lee Potts, IndyConcerts.com “On Friday night, Savvant Music CFO, Bob Carnahan, and I took advantage of our Austin locale and attended a SXSW show performed by lovely Nashville singer/songwriter Tori Sparks. Sparks’ bluesy vocals and intensely rhythmic groove paints a sexy and sultry sound that’s a joy to hear in any venue. Sparks followed a highly amplified four piece rock band in a very loud, smoky and raucous venue (Touche’ on 6th street in Austin), and despite those challenges, this 24 year old songstress rocked the room, drew listeners from tables in the back to the stage front and pulled people in from off the street (yes, during SXSW) to hear her acoustic rock and blues.  …I’d recommend catching her act the next time she’s in your city.” --Anny Randell, Savvant Music Blog NACA RECOMMENDATIONS: "She was phenomenal!  Tori's performance was soulful, intellectual, with a spice of witty and comical yet appropriate commentary.  ...She has an engaging style of performance that is suitable for many different environments. I would fully recommend Tori Sparks to perform at your institution/venue.  You will not regret it!"     -Jon Umbdenstock; Student Affairs Administrator (University of Texas at Austin) "Tori... was totally professional throughout the event. Tori's show was lively and her style was very appealing to our students, staff and faculty. ...We received a lot of positive feedback on Tori's performance and would be delighted to book her again in the future. It is with no reservation that I recommend you employ Tori Sparks to perform at your next institution/venue. You will not regret it!"     -Jack Montgomery; Associate Professor, Chair, Java City Live Entertainment Committee (Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green) "Tori Sparks... writes her own songs, owns her own record label and publishing company - is basically a one-woman operation... She is notorious for her blend of quirky humor and fiery delivery and has fused a sound and a style that is unmistakably her own."       - Dave Fiore, Florida State Times (Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL) “Tori Sparks has tremendous musical talent with many songs that appealed to our students, and she was easy to work with regarding performance set up and sponsorship.  Tori really made our party very enjoyable. She interacted with the audience during the party very professionally and positively. I really enjoyed hosting Tori, and wholeheartedly encourage you to consider her for contemporary musical performances.” --Benjamin Kramer Activities Counselor (New River Community College, Dublin VA) "Tori Sparks knocked me for a loop! While watching her perform, one thought consistently came to mind: Tori doesn’t just play the songs, she FEELS them. Simply - dynamic! I’m a hard-core fan since she visited our college and I can't wait to see her again!" --Richard Maitri, Media Specialist (New River Community College, Dublin VA) More recommendations available on request. ************************************************************************************** AWARDS: Recipient: 2008 ASCAPlus Award Performing Songwriter: Top 12 DIY Downloads (July 2008) ("Caged Bird") Selection: Florida Music Festival Indie Film Jam 2008 ("Cold War") Cashville 411: Top 10 Tracks of 2007 ("Caged Bird") Finalist: 2007 Unisong International Songwriting Contest Finalist ("Cold War") Recipient: 2007 ASCAPlus Award Best Pop Video: 2006 Indie Gathering ("Rivers + Roads") Selection: 2006 Flint Film Festival ("Rivers + Roads") Recipient: 2006 ASCAPlus Award Recipient: 2005 ASCAPlus Award Finalist: 2005 Unisong International Songwriting Contest ("The Poster Child") ************************************************************************************** Please see ToriSparks.com or Tori's MySpace site for a more extensive bio, and for a list of radio and television stations playing her albums. Instrumentation Tori tour solo and with the band. A great fit for blues, folk, rock, Americana, jazz, or eclectic events. Solo: Tori Sparks (Vox, Steel String, Gut String Guitars) Duo: Tori Sparks and Matthew Burgess (Drums and Percussion) Band: Tori Sparks, Matthew Burgess, Brook Sutton (Electric and Upright Bass), Dan Cohen (Lead Instruments), and often joined by David Henry (Cello/Trumpet) ************************************************************************************** FESTIVALS/CONFERENCES (SHOWCASING ARTIST): Art of Sound Festival (2009) Folk Alliance Festival and Conference - Memphis, TN (2008, 2009) Red Gorilla Music Fest - Austin, TX (2008, 2009) Nashville Songwriters Fest - Nashville, TN (2006, 2008, 2009) Women's Right to Rock Fest - Seneca Falls, NY (2006, 2008) Femme Fest - Chapel Hill, NC (2008) Millennium Music Conference - New Cumberland, PA (2008) Tin Pan South - Nashville, TN (2008) American MusicFest - Harrisburg, PA (2008) Bele Chere Music Festival - Asheville, NC (2008) New Music Seminar - Cleveland, OH (2008) GoGirls Music Fest (HEADLINER) - Nashville. TN (2008) Applefest - Crossville, TN (2007, 2008) Bantry Community Blues Festival - Cork, Ireland (2007) Colorado Music Summit - Denver, CO (2007) Come Out Knoxville Fest (HEADLINER) - Knoxville, TN (2006) Cutting Edge Music Conference - New Orleans, LA (2006) Deland Original Music Festival - Deland, FL (2006) ******************************************* CONFERENCES/SCHOOLS (SPEAKER/PANELIST): Tori has been invited to speak on the topic of music business at these schools and professional conferences, to name a few... New Music Seminar (2008) Music Row Group Seminar (2008) University of Georgia (2008) Nashville School for the Performing Arts (2007) Florida State University (2007) Discography ALBUMS: *The Scorpion in the Story (Glass Mountain Records, 2009.)  - TOP 100 ON THE AMERICANA RADIO CHARTS! *The Scorpion in the Story - Deluxe Version (Glass Mountain Records, 2009.) *Under This Yellow Sun (Glass Mountain Records, 2007). Produced by David Henry and Tori Sparks. *Little Stories EP (Glass Mountain Records, 2007). Produced by David Henry and Tori Sparks. *Rivers + Roads (Platinum Plus Universal, 2005)  Produced by Tony Migliore. *Tidewaters EP  (Independent Release, 2003) Produced by Tori Sparks. ************************************************************************************** SINGLES: *"Mr. Bickle" from Wooden Music for a Plastic World. Duet with Jeff Kuykendall. (Independently Released, 2009.) *"Blackbird" from A Me-Shaped Hole, co-written with and recorded by Caroline Brewer. (Independent Release, 2008.) *"Cold War" from Under This Yellow Sun. (Glass Mountain Records, 2007.) Produced by Tori Sparks and David Henry. (#93 on the College RIYL Weighted Charts.) *"Caged Bird" from Under This Yellow Sun. (Glass Mountain Records, 2007.) Produced by Tori Sparks and David Henry. *"Pale Sorghum Lo-Fi Blues" from Pale Sorghum Lo-Fi Blues. Duet with D.W. DeHart. (DeHorn Boys Music, 2007.) Produced by D.W. DeHart with D. Dennis. *"Hope for Me" Christmas Single. (Glass Mountain Records, 2007). Produced by Tori Sparks. *"Trouble" from Rivers + Roads. (Platinum Plus, 2005). Produced by Tony Migliore. *"Rivers + Roads" from Rivers + Roads. (Platinum Plus, 2005). Produced by Tony Migliore. ************************************************************************************** VIDEOS: * Tori Sparks: Live at the Rutledge (Glass Mountain Records, 2009) Directed by Wayne Hall. * Merry Go-Round - Music Video. (Glass Mountain Records, 2009) Directed by Wayne Hall. *Cold War - Music Video. (Glass Mountain, 2007) Directed by Wayne Hall. *The Making of Under This Yellow Sun: Tori Sparks with Producer David Henry. (Glass Mountain Records, 2007). Directed by Wayne Hall. *Behind the Scenes: Screen Printing Madness with Tori Sparks (Glass Mountain Records, 2007) Directed by Wayne Hall. *Rivers + Roads - Music Video (Platinum Plus Universal, 2005).  Included bonus feature Live at the Gibson Showcase Theater. Directed by Wayne Hall. These and a number of live performances/interviews are available at the Glass Mountain Records YouTube Channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/GlassMountainRecords Links http://www.torisparks.com ToriSparks.com MySpace iLike Twitter Wikipedia