“Sarah Tollerson reminded me of a young, extremely happy, Joni Mitchell. Sarah has the unique ability to exude simultaneous cheer and cynicism in the same song. In an industry that dishes out more of the latter, this is a girl to whom I have a feeling it just won't matter. She'll keep on getting better and better and writing the songs with which her fan base connects.”
-Cindy Lou Harrington, President, Georgia Music Industry Association (2001-2004)
Paying the rent on time might be accomplishment enough for most twenty somethings, forget a burgeoning music career. But not for Athens, Georgia's own songstress Sarah Tollerson. Music is in her genes.
Sarah, who has been compared to artists such as Sheryl Crow, learned guitar from her father while she was still in middle school and it's been sweet music ever since. She counts Jump Little Children, The Counting Crows, Sara Bareilles, and No Doubt among the influences for her pop and blues driven acoustics. She’s graced the stages of countless venues across Georgia including The Georgia Theatre, Tasty World, Red Light Café, 106 West, Nuci’s Space, DT’s Downunder, and Flicker Theater where she shared the stage with artists such as Kyle Patrick (The Click Five), David Mead, and Bain Mattox. She was also awarded first place at the 2004 Athens MUSIC Project Open Mic Competition.
Along with playing numerous venues, Sarah has also made several live radio appearances. First appearing on Atlanta's 99X Morning Show 'Your Big Break with Barnes, Leslie and Jimmy', Sarah performed her fast-paced and upbeat hit “Freaks Like Me.” She branched out a few years later, performing two originals, “This Old Jacket” and “Natural Star” for Milledgeville's Z97’s Sunday ritual, Almost Famous—a gig that put her in frequent rotation on the station.
If there’s one thing to be said about this songbird, it’s her ability to work a crowd. "Her song 'Natural Star' says it all... when Sarah is on stage, she grabs the attention and respect of everyone in the audience with her catchy riffs and lyrical stories,” says Athens Open Mic representative Alec Wooden. She already has a great fan base that just keeps growing. “I love my fans,” says Sarah, “they’re crazy, they’re loud, and they sing along.”
After several years as a solo act, in 2005 Sarah decided to take on a band: Trevor Wooden (guitar/vocals) Alec Wooden (bass/vocals) and Joe Bleakley (drums), fondly known among their fans as "The Big Fantastic." Despite the band's tremendous success in Georgia, Sarah made the decision to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston where she relocated in January of 2006. She continues to turn heads in her captivating live performances and in August 2007 independently released her debut full length album, "Keeping Old Love Letters."
The road ahead looks promising for budding star Sarah Tollerson.
Hi sarah! I'm sharina. I really like your voice and your songs r all so nice!! Anyways i'd love 2 buy your cd. If u dun mind me askin, you're frm berklee rgt??
:) Aww Sarah! I love you too!! Thats crazy that someone else you know is going to Washington! I know I'll be okay...it's just getting to the okay that I'm worried about!
The Sarah Tollerson Special Produced by Paul Leslie, Jeff Pike and Heather Dee Perry
Songstress Sarah Tollerson has earned the praise of a past president of the Georgia Music Industry Association, a growing number of fans, performances in countless venues from Atlanta, Georgia to Boston, Massachusetts and a debut record, "Keeping Old Love Letters." Cutting her teeth in the so-called "Classic City" in Georgia (Athens, home of REM and the B-52s) Tollerson grew up in a musical household. Her father Thom Tollerson owns the historical music venue 106 West in Winder, Georgia and was in a folk trio with the Original Reeferett Deborah McColl. Her pop and blues acoustic stylings were long a solo performance, but in 2005 she found herself fronting her band, known to fans as "The Big Fantastic." She joins us on Time After Island Time for a look into her musical soul, along with an eclectic stash of music we gain appreciation for her distinctive style.
Listen to Time After Island Time from anywhere in the world courtesy of Radio JimmyDreamz at www. radio. jimmydreamz. com
Monday - 3:00 PM - June 16, 2008 Wednesdays - 9:00 AM - June 18, 2008 Thursdays - MIDNIGHT - June 19, 2008 Saturday - 8:00 PM - June 21, 2008
Well I think you know that Jeremy is in the Army. Well he is stationed in Washington right now. So we are going to be living there for about the next 2 years or so. The movers are coming on Monday. I fly out at July 9th. I'm excited, pretty scared....but excited!
I'm so proud of you girl. Seriously, this is some of the BEST work I've heard from you. Sneak Away is such a GOOD song... and Down the Line is very good as well. They are DEF my new favorites of your songs!
I can't make up my mind whether you're a better singer or songwriter, so I'll stop thinking about it and just relax and enjoy both aspects of your incredible talent.
Hey Sarah! Thanks for accepting my friend request. I found (and voted) for you on OurStage. com. Wishing you lots of luck there and everywhere else. Dave
You are the love of my life. I just thought I'd remind you. :) My heart cries when you are away from me for long periods of time. I wish it was May already. Miss and love you, Dearie. Hope things are going well- Congrats on your Open Mic win!!! We must have a long-catch-up-on-every-single-little-detail- chat soon! :)
