Ms. Sparkie Allison

The Songpainter

Sparkie Allison started her music career at the age of six with
the accordion. Soon she was studying music theory and teaching
herself to play various keyboards and wind instruments.
In high school she studied trombone and played in the concert
and marching bands (which released two albums).
Her career in classical music was interrupted by a head injury and she began
a passion for the guitar and songwriting.

Starting out as a folk artist in the early 70's playing colleges campuses
and coffeehouses, Sparkie formed "The Good Time Gang"
playing folk-rock , then a country/oldies band named "Niteflite".
She returned to her country roots with her band "North Country"
and toured the North East clubs and concert settings.

For a short time she went electric with "Venus", an all-woman
countrified rock band but when they disbanded she returned to her
acoustic guitar and re-grouped "North Country".

For the next few years she performed with the band, and as a solo artist,
in many songwriter showcases throughout Southern New England, and Nashville. She is the Founder and President of the Massachusetts Songwriter Association, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Songwriter Association.

In 1986, Sparkie released her first album of all-original non-country material :
She's A Riser , and a year later an acoustic album of originals:
Ride a Rainbow-Songs of Hope, Healing and Hug Therapy.

By the mid 90's, she was part of the songwriting-acoustic
country duo, "Yankee Rose" which also recorded a 3 song cassette
aimed at the Nashville market.
Then in 1998 Sparkie teamed up with Justin Davis for songwriting and performing. The two acoustic guitars blended a variety of styles and danced around the melodic lines of Sparkies' originals.
Into the new millenium, Sparkie has performed with the Chestnut Mare Band (classic rock),Night Watch at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Concert, Lights Out! (great vocal & dance band), and fronted the High Strung band (kickin' country,swinging rock n'roll and originals). She continues to perform as a solo artist while putting together new musical performing and songwriting projects.In Fall 2006 she joined the Blue Country band which has been re-named the MOON RIDGE BAND. They have already book several gigs for 2007. Check them out: www.moonridgeband.com

Sparkie Allison has won several songwriter awards including:

Solarfest 2004 Singer/Songwriter Competition Finalist - "How I Wanted"

The King Eagle Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry (1997)

The Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association (1994) -"Somebody Who Can Melt My Cold, Cold Heart"

Entertainer Indie-Association:Distinguished Songwriting Award (1991) for "One Last Kiss" recorded by Moore & Moore (1991). The song was later recorded by Jaime Beaver though the artist refused to pay appropriate songwriter royalties due Sparkie Allison

Music City Song Festival:Honorable Mention (1982 -Rock Category) - "Satans'Child"

American song Festival:Honorable Mention (1981- Country category) co-writer of "The Original Fool"

RECORDINGS
Yankee Rose (1993) Sweet Talk Records
Theme song for Women in Technology Film (1989) - Springfield Technical Community College
Without Consent (1988) Theme song for film by the Hotline to End Rape & Abuse
Ride A Rainbow - Songs of Hope Healing and Hug therapy (1987) Sweet Talk Records
She's A Riser (1987) Sweet Talk Records
A Shadow's Reflection (1987) Theme song for the film also written by Sparkie Allison