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.
"Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different."
Have a great day; stop by to say hello when you can!
First, let me start by saying a BIG thank you for being my friend here on myspace!! I really like meeting new people and other artists too! Drop me a line or two and let me know how you are doing!
I’m 13, I've been playing guitar for 5 years and songwriting for 1 year! It's my true passion! Hopefully, I'll be in this business a long time!
Feel free to stop by my page anytime and listen to my music and read my backstory (it's got some pretty cool twists)! Also, you can check out my website at www.bradtheriot.com! I welcome any and all feedback & comments!
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