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(LIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE)
KEVIN DAY - Guitar
JUSTIN MCDONALD - Bass
DAN TYAK - Pedal Steel/Slide Guitar
DAVID LANZ - Piano
(STUDIO RECORDINGS)
GARY LANZ - Guitar/Mandolin
KEITH LOWE - Bass
DAN TYAK - Pedal Steel/Slide Guitar
DRUMS - Andy Roth
"My life's destination became clear on a road trip. I was 8 years old and during one of our many trips to Idaho to see our relatives, my parents introduced me to Crystal Gayle, Linda Ronstadt, and Patsy Cline, all in a 7-hour trip. A strange feeling came over me. I felt like i was going to cry. There was this sorrow and anguish and love in all of their voices that i felt throughout my being. By the trip home, not only was i singing along, but i had planned the rest of my life. "
With an intense fascination on the sounds that she could create with her voice and the melodies she had in her mind, Victoria sought out the best vocal coach in Seattle at the ripe age of 10. The little girl with the big voice was led to the much sought after Maestro David Kyle. Armed with her favorite tune, Victoria belted out her love, which some could say was an obsession, a BALLAD. No show tunes with tempo for this young lady. She wanted to croon and cry with her voice. Needless to say Maestro (who taught Ann Wilson from Heart, Lisa Manelli, Geoff Tate from Queensryche, and the late Layne Staley) took quite the liking to this young songstress and took her under his wing. Over the years, Victoria went on to study Classical voice with Sandra Glover, Opera with Linda Marra, Jazz with Fran Reid, and pop with Mark Goodman.
By the age of 12, Victoria had written her first 5 songs. She had formed her own girls group called "Pizzaz", a name better left forgotten;) who performed at festivals, fairs and private events for 5 years. All the while, Victoria fit in the time for 25 musicals at local Washington theatres and at 13 began singing with both a country band and the Highline communtity college 25-piece jazz band led by Ed Fish.
It wasn't long until the urging of Grammy nominated Steve Dorff, brought her to LA along with her Sister Tamara. They recorded many Dorff tunes and that project eventually led them into the office of American Idol's Randy Jackson, pre-Idol. Very shortly after, Randy left the label for this hit show. With Randy's urging to write her own material, Victoria decided to concentrate on writing.
Victoria and Tamara returned to Seattle and formed a band called "Assai". Singing solely original material, it wasn't long until they were opening for the likes of Collective Soul, Morrisey, The Marveous 3, and Loudermilk.
Victoria is now is being noted as one to watch both for her voice and for her song writing abilities. The president of the Mariners is such a fan that she has been asked to sing the National Anthem 5 times for the past 3 seasons. You may also recognize her voice from McDonalds, Mervyns, and AT&T commercials. When it comes to songwriting, Contreras has mastered the formula of creating a hit song with a focus on unusual and thought provoking lyrics. Nashville is listening.
"Everything in my life has led me here and it is right where I am supposed to be." It is only a matter of time before her star shines.
You may also recognize her Sister and very best friend on the Planet Miss Isis Gee who represented Poland in the 2008 Eurovision competition. Says Victoria "I know my Sister better than i know anyone else in the world and i can say with an honest and open heart that she is the kindest, most giving individual that i have ever had the opportunity to know let alone share my life with. Isis is receiving wonderful responses on her new single "For Life" and i couldn't be happier. There is no one who deserves success more than my Sister and best friend."
On songwriting....."I've been singing and performing since i was 8 and certainly am passionate about using my voice. It keeps me on my feet because you must always be on when you have an audience. Songwriting, on the other hand, is where i get to be vulnerable. I get to experiment, make mistakes, fix them, and truly think about my life experiences. I've talked myself out of several bad relationships just by writing songs about the situation. It makes anything you are experiencing that much more real. Suddenly you can't hide from it because the lyrics are in front of you, you are singing and recording these words and you'd be ridiculous not to listen to what your heart is saying.
"Everyone says writing is their therapy...sounds like some cliche b.s., but how many people spend hours a day pouring out their hearts on paper? Now, that is some serious therapy and i don't care how cliche it sounds."
"With singing you are either Rock, Pop, House, New Age, Country, R & B, etc. With songwriting you can be whatever you're feeling at that particular moment in time. I don't have to pick a style and that is so liberating because my musical tastes are so diverse.
"The tunes posted are songs i've written throughout the past couple of years. BABY'S EYES is very dear to my heart as i wrote it when my Fiance's Brother lost his life fighting in Iraq leaving a beautiful family including a wife and 3 children. I wrote FOOL'S GOLD after many tearful late night conversations with one of my dearest girlfriends who was going through a bit of boy drama. Thank God we can laugh at it all now! MARRY UP was inspired by old journals from my 5 years in L.A. Having witnessed some very unhealthy relationships and behavour, i had plenty of material to work with. I wrote THIS IS NOT GOODBYE as a surprise for my Father for our dance at my wedding. My library is getting big and i have so many new songs to record! Can't wait to unveil them, think they are my best thus far (but don't you always think that as a songwriter?)".....we shall see!!!!
found this love layout at HOTFreeLayouts.com
Hi Tor, I am still recovering from our Bikram Yoga Class. I don't think I can handle another one unless there is a good escape route when it gets too hot! I am ready for Pilates. Are you in? Shan
Hi Tor, How was the wedding this weekend? We had a fun time with Matt's family in Wenatchee. I look forward to catching up next Sunday. My feet are in dire need of the pedi! We could go to Bellevue and shop, then pedi if we are up to it. ..anyhow, we can play it by ear.. Have a great week Shan
That was a fun dinner last night with the boys. We will have to plan another night soon. I had Mariah blasting in the car and Matt was very thankful he was in a seperate car so he didn't have to hear her... On another note, let me know what days work for you to go walking. We could even do it in the mall..although that we would probably get too distracted with shopping. Have a great weekend, Shan
Hi Tor, I love the new photos from your shoot! You look tres beautiful :) We look forward to catching up on Thursday. Next time, we need to schedule some shopping time at some of the decorating stores in Bellevue! Much Love, Shan
What a Beautiful Profile Picture!! You are Gorgeous as always. It was so wonderful to see you and Ed on Ryan's Birthday. Thank you so much for coming out! We just got back from NY and had a wonderful time with the family. We're trying to get back in the swing of things now. We'll have to plan a get together before the summer is over. Love you Beautiful!!
Congratulations Tori! Your pictures are amazing. Everything looked perfect. The first of many fabulous memories with your new family. Congratulations again!
Your pictures are beautiful! We had such a fun and memorable time with you, Ed, your families, and friends. We are sorry to have missed you in Playa Del Carmen! We just missed you within 20 minutes at BK! We will have to get together to share photos!
Congrats beautiful!! I wish Ryan and I could have been there for your Big Day!! I'm so sorry we missed it. I can't wait to hear all about your amazing day and trip. Thinking about you and would love to catch up with you when you two little honeymooners get settled in. Congrats Gorgeous!! I'm so happy for the both of you!!! Love ya!
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