RECORDING
All songs written, performed & produced* by Chris Sparks at Sound Emporium Studios, Nashville, TN.
ENGINEER
Engineered by Chad Carlson at Sound Emporium. Mixed by Chad Carlson at the Toolshed. Assistant Engineer - Kyle Ford.
STUDIO MUSICIANS
I had the opportunity to work with the best musicians in the business. Here they are:
Dug Grieves - Guitar
Pat McGrath - Acoustic
Joe Spivey - Fiddle
Robby Turner - Steel
'Pig' Robbins - Piano/B3
Wayne Killius - Drums
Dow Tomlin - Bass
Billy Davis - Backgrounds
* Engineers and studio musicians never get enough credit from the producers who get the glory. I am honored to be working with these legendary musicians and engineers. They had a tremendous amount to do with how incredible this music sounds.
"I've always said that I wanted to be the least talented and least important guy in the room."
I was luckily able to do that. Thanks to each of you. I look forward to recording a lot more music with you!
MY BANDS:
THE BARSTOOL COWBOYS
This is my back-up band for country music. We hire all professional musicians from the union for live shows and studio recording.
BADLOVE
This is my rock band for rock and blues. We hire all professional musicians from the union for live shows and studio recording.
'The Barstool Cowboys' and 'BADLOVE' are registered trademarks of Christopher Lee Sparks. All Rights Reserved!
MEMBERSHIPS
MY SITES
Influences
SOUL/JAZZ
Otis Redding, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Barry White, Sam Cooke, Billie Holliday and Calvin Richardson.
LEGENDS
Elvis, The Beatles, Sinatra, Tom Jones, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly.
CLASSIC ROCK
The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton.
ROCK
Train, Matchbox 20, Lenny Kravitz, Tesla, Mr Big, Badlands, Judas Priest, Ozzy, Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, Black Crowes, Faster Pussycat, Cry of Love, Dio, Black Sabbath, Lita Ford, The Runaways.
BLUES
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Gary Moore, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, BB King.
SINGER-SONGWRITERS
Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Jason Mraz, Gavin Degraw, Howie Day, Tyler Hilton, Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, Dan O'Neil & Ryan Cabrera.
COUNTRY
George Strait, Tracy Byrd, Chris LeDoux, Clay Walker, Mark Chesnutt, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed, Paul Overstreet, Mel Tillis, Eric Church, Jerry Kilgore, Dani Carroll, Dani Flowers.
INSTRUMENTALISTS & GUITARISTS
Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Jake E Lee, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, Jason Becker, Frank Hannon, Tommy Skeoch, Randy Rhoads, Audley Freed, Richie Sambora, Brent Mason, Brent Rowan, Brent Muscat, Michael Hedges, Jerry Donahue, Danny Gatton, Doc Watson, James Burton.
LATIN
Enrique, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony.
RAP/HIP-HOP
Kid Rock, Nelly, Eminem, Run DMC, Young MC, The Fat Boys, Beastie Boys, Snoop.
COMEDIANS
George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Buddy Hackett, Chris Rock, Eddie Griffin, Daman Wayans, Rodney Carrington, Larry the Cable Guy, John Stewart, Mitch Hedberg.
Sounds Like
The first CD sounds like: George Strait, Tracy Byrd, Chris LeDoux, Clay Walker, Mark Chesnutt, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty, Jerry Kilgore.
But, my other music sounds like all of my influences combined. So, you decide. I just hope you like it.
ARTIST BIO
I don't do bios. Bio, and the "B" stands for Bull. Read my blog on how I feel about that. So, I just give you the facts.
Awards, Records made of Precious Metal, Bogus Airplay Charts, Creatively Financed Radio Airplay, the commercial opinions of "experts in the industry" and a PR person's paid opinion of me are not relevant to me and do not make my music any better. The only three things that matter to me about music are:
Do you like my lyrics?
Do you like my music?
Do you like the way I do it? ;) Well, do you? :)
NO FAN CLUB
I can't stand the word "fan". It is short for fanatic. It puts me on a pedestal. I don't save lives, protect our country, fight fires, protect and serve or do any of those things that real heros do. I write and play music. That is it! It is an honor to get to do what I do. If I inspire someone or raise their spirits, I am again honored. But, I really just want to make you laugh, smile, think (maybe cry) and love. Yeah, mainly I just want to make you love...
9 months after I play your city, I want there to be a population Explosion! ;)
So anyway, that is why I call my "fan club", the VIP club. It's the best I could do. Thanks for liking my music and giving me a little bit of your time.
CD Update
I just produced 6 new songs in Nashville. We will be releasing several singles. These songs are for my new CD which will be released in 2008.
ABOUT MY MUSIC
I am a singer, songwriter, producer and record label President & Owner. I handle every aspect of my career from the songwriting to the graphics. I do it because I absolutely love every part of the process. I write all of my own material because I only want to sing stuff that comes from me. Perhaps one day I will do a tribute to my influences with a compilation of covers.
My only real goal in music is to simply make good music. I'm not looking for a deal on another major label. I'm happy on my own label. I'm not waiting on my big break. I'm just making music and very happy when somebody enjoys it.
HOMETOWN & EDUCATION
I'm originally from Greensboro, NC where I went to Western Guilford High School and UNCG for my BSBA in Marketing and MBA in Finance.
SINGLE?
Yes, I am single, never married, never engaged, no kids. I don't date very often. I prefer to only go out with a woman who I really want to date. I have an article coming up about my views on dating and the type of women I like.
Thanks for supporting our Troops! I appreciate it and I know our Troops appreciate it.
If you would like to help us thank those still serving overseas and help those coming home wounded, please stop by the profile, read the latest blog and do what you can.
Stopping by to say Hey! listened to Thank God For The Cowgirls" I love your Music, Lyrics and Vocals!! You'reright sounds like you worked with the best Musicians!! Have a Great, Rockin' Weekend! Cowboy Style*
Hey we just really wanted to thank you for letting us be your friend on Myspace. Stop by and leave us a comment and let everyone know what you think of our band. Remember we can’t do all this without you, so we need your support any way you can give it.
I had chatted with you quite a while ago at length about where you were with your music at the time. It has probably been well over a year and I was just wondering how everything is going for you now. I was quite impressed with you with not only your natural ability to sing, but for your overall understanding of producing music and knowing just about everything there is to know about the music industry. If you have time, which I am sure you are short of...please drop me a line. God Bless you. Carol
