SOUL
Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Aretha, etc. You'll hear it in some of the new stuff I record. Although, my voice could never compare to these legends!
SINGER/SONGWRITERS
Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, Jason Mraz, Gavin Degraw, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Ryan Cabrera, Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20, Train. I respect great songwriters. I'm glad to see songwriting becoming important again.
ROCK LEGENDS
Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Rolling Stones, Elvis, Tom Jones. I actually started as a guitar player. I will encore to some pretty heavy rock stuff so I can play guitar.
COUNTRY
Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Chris LeDoux, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt, Clay Walker, Faith, Shania, Lee Ann Womack, Jo Dee Messina, Terri Clark, etc.
Sounds Like
I don't like stereotypes or categories. We're just going to get together with some of the best musicians in the world in legendary studios and see what happens. Hopefully, something good.
ABOUT CHRIS SPARKS
I tend to break all stereotypes and enjoy a very diverse lifestyle. Try to fit me in a box and you will be wrong. I've always said that I have several groups of friends who would not get along with each other. Yet, I feel comfortable with all of them. Here are some basics about me:
Business
When I finished my MBA, I left my position as Area Manager at Wachovia to build a corporate recruiting firm with my father. I specialize in Banking, Finance & Marketing. We branched out into career sites and founded one of the largest business and career site networks in the world. I started SPARKS Records, Chris Sparks Entertainment & Barstool Cowboy Publishing so I could control my own music career and do it my way.
Education
BSBA in Marketing - UNC-Greensboro
MBA in Finance - UNC-Greensboro
Favorites
I workout 5-7 times per week. I love playing tennis. My favorite places are the beach, open road, recording studios, the stage and tennis courts. While I like to eat healthy food, I have a weakness for Mexican, Italian and Japanese. Family is the cornerstone of my life. My parents are my biggest supporters and best friends. I'm a huge movie fan and have over 500 in my house.
Music
I love and write all types. I don't understand people who eliminate a whole genre. They must be missing out on something. I do prefer artists who write their own songs. If they don't write their own songs, aren't they just singers?
Balance
Balance is my ultimate goal in life. I have no desire for my music career to get out of hand so much that I cannot enjoy the other parts of my life.
Women
I absolutely love women. I mean that in the best way possible. I've always enjoyed having close female friends. Most of my business relationships are with women as well. I still believe in chivalry. So, I like opening doors, pulling out the chair and saying , "Yes Ma'am." That's how my mama taught me. :)
I also do not believe that it is fair to call a woman high maintenance because she shops, takes a long time to get ready or gets manicures. Men should support the things women like to do to make them look and feel their best. I actually like to go shopping with a woman. I also believe in looking my best and like to have a complete wardrobe that allows me to dress for the situation.
ABOUT 'A WOMAN LIKE YOU'
Well here it is, the beginning of the CD I've wanted to record for a very long time. In short, it's dedicated to a girl I've never met; but, one I've been looking for all my life. On my first CD, I wrote a song called, "I Can't Write A Love Song' that basically said that I'm not going to write love songs for anybody but one girl. I won't write love songs until I know how they end.
After years of being single and not finding, "her", I came up with the idea to write love songs for her and who I think she is, wherever she may be. The result is at least 3 CD's worth of material for a girl I may have never met, yet I have known all my life. It's really no different than anything else I've done in my life because everything I do is really for her as the song 'Gettin' Ready for Love' says.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All songs have been copyrighted. Unauthorized distribution, recording or performance is prohibited.
WHO I WANT TO MEET ON MYSPACE
If you're a romantic, be sure to add me. I just hope my music helps set the the right mood for a special night with the one you love or dreaming about the one you want.
100's OF SONGS COMING
Yes, I'm recording a bunch more demos right now for you to hear. Plus, I write every day. I think I have about 150 songs written right now. So, I hope you keep coming back so I can share them with you.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
We just did a test shoot on June 16, 2006 for my updated look for the new CD. The pictures were taken with a low end digital and are just for planning purposes. But, let me know what you think about the new look.
A special thanks to Richard Childress for making us feel at home at Childress Vineyards while doing our photo shoots. We could not have found a better setting for photo shoots or our upcoming corporate events.
I am so proud of you!!!!! This new music is abolutely hot!!!!!! You've finally done it!!!!!! You are on your way to stardom!!! Go Chris!!! I Love the music and cannot wait to hear it on the air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know you're just trying something new, but I think I like the cowboy look best. Then again, you know me and my cowboys!! ;) I do like the sexy, smoldering look in these except the pic of you sitting in the wooden back chair. That one's kinda scary - sort of like, I'm late for curfew and Daddy's waiting up!! The lyrics on all the songs are amazing, but I think I like the fast tempo of "Will I Ever Find Love" the best. I plan on downloading them so I can listen to them in the car - I'll let you know if one of the others grows on me.
Chris,
When I met you that night at Petes I had never heard you sing, so I didn't have any idea that you where so good. I should have asked for your autograph. :-p, anyway I hope everything is going well for ya.
~Becca
Nice to see a good looking educated Carolina man working towards something. We need more like you! But anyways, love the songs on here, and I hope to here more from you in the future.
