Sylvia Kirby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sylvia | ||
|---|---|---|
 Sylvia promotional photo.
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Sylvia Jane Kirby | |
| Also known as | Sylvia | |
| Born | December 9, 1956 | |
| Origin | Kokomo, Indiana | |
| Genre(s) | Country, pop, countrypolitan | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals | |
| Years active | 1979–present | |
| Label(s) | RCA Records Red Pony Records |
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| Associated acts |
Juice Newton, Janie Fricke | |
| Website | Sylvia's unofficial website | |
Sylvia (born Sylvia Jane Kirby December 9, 1956 in Kokomo, Indiana) is an American country music and country pop singer and songwriter, who enjoyed crossover music success with the song "Nobody" in 1982.
Although she released several records from the late 1970s until the 1990s, she is best known for her crossover pop hit "Nobody", which reached #13 Pop and #1 Country in 1982. The song earned her a gold record certification and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (the Grammy went to Juice Newton for her hit "Break It to Me Gently"). Although "Nobody" was Sylvia's only single to reach the Billboard pop charts, her other big country hits include "Drifter" (#1 Country, 1981), "Fallin' in Love", "Tumbleweed" and "Snapshot". In 1982 she was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. She is also credited with making the first "concept" music video clip to air on Country Music Television (CMT), with "The Matador".
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[edit] Early career
Sylvia's musical journey began at age three when she was asked to sing at a small church near her hometown of Kokomo, Indiana. This was all it took to set Sylvia on a course that eventually led her to Nashville soon after high school graduation. That date was December 26, 1976. With a burning desire to become a recording artist like her idol Patsy Cline, Sylvia packed her bags and a demo tape and headed for Music City where she ultimately landed a job as a secretary for producer/publisher Tom Collins, who was producer to Barbara Mandrell and Ronnie Milsap. Incidentally, she replaced Collins' former secretary Janie Fricke. Before meeting Collins, she worked as a background vocalist for countrypolitan artists Barbara Mandrell, Juice Newton and Janie Fricke.
After trying out for Dave and Sugar, she was soon signed onto RCA Records in 1979 by Jerry Bradley head of RCA Records. [1].Immediatley, Sylvia started recording songs for the company. Her first single she released under RCA was called "You Don't Miss a Thing". The song reached the Country Top 40, which got her name noticed. She only released one single in 1979, but the following year, she released another single called "It Don't Hurt to Dream". The song was slightly more successful then the previous single, going to #35. That same year, she finally made it big as a singer with the Top 10 hit "Tumbleweed". The song had a mix of twangy country music mixed with '70s disco. This song was inspired by the success of the movie Urban Cowboy, and the current musical trends in the late seventies and early eighties, which she describes as "prairie music" in a Westwood One radio show in 1981. According to her, prairie music was a blend of modern country music and "western" music. That next year, she became an even bigger star, when her song "Drifter" was a #1 hit for on the country charts. That year, two other singles, Sylvia released became top-ten hits for her, which were "The Matador" and "Heart on the Mend". "The Matador" was country music's first concept music video to go on CMT. That year, Sylvia released an album, also called Drifter that featured all her hits that year, including "Tumbleweed" from the previous year. The prairie music theme was clearly evident in all of her hits from the Drifter album. Echoes of this music trend were in her second album Just Sylvia, in "Mirage", but were never developed in favor of her more pop- and disco-oriented country music style with which she became associated. "Drifter" was her first No. 1 single and the title of her 1981 debut album for RCA Records. The album contained several top-ten songs, including "Tumbleweed" and "Heart On The Mend".
[edit] Career heights in the '80s
The height of Sylvia's career came in late 1981, 1982 and 1983. Probably 1981 and 1982, were Sylvia's biggest years as a singer when she released her "Just Sylvia" album which contained the single "Nobody" sold two million copies and was No. 1 on all country music charts. It was also a Top 20 crossover hit on Billboard's Top 100That year, she released the song "Nobody". The song was not just Sylvia's second #1 hit on the Country charts, but the song also crossed over to the pop music charts (also called the US Hot 100) and reached the Top 20 there, peaking at #13. The song also was an Adult Contemporary hit, making the Top 5. "Nobody" became Sylvia's signature song and made her a success on both the Country and Pop music charts, which was what so many of her contemporaries were doing at the time, like Crystal Gayle, Dottie West, Dolly Parton, Anne Murray, and Kenny Rogers. Sylvia never achieved another Billboard #1 hit.
Sylvia garnered 9 Top Ten and 2 Number One songs on the Billboard charts from 1980 — 1986. Her recording of "Nobody" sold nearly 2 million singles and was #1 on all country music charts. The single and album Just Sylvia were certified gold in the US and Canada. "Nobody" was the 1982 BMI Song of the Year awarded for receiving more radio airplay than any other single that year. In a way, Sylvia's bouncy and youthful style made her very popular among teenage girls, making her a teen idol briefly, which foreshadowed the female pop teen idols of the late '80s, like Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.
The album Just Sylvia is believed to be her best album. In this album, she had the powerhouse "Nobody" that made her a household name in the early eighties. With this success, she was invited to perform in a country album with James Galway called the "Wayward Wind" where she sang the title song and "Piper, Piper".
In 1982, Sylvia was the Academy of Country Music's "Female Vocalist of the Year" and a Grammy nominee for "Best Female Vocalist".
In 1983, Sylvia continued this success with the release of Snapshot. Although the title song only reached number five on the charts, it is her second highest selling single. The year, 1983 showed no signs of Sylvia slowing down. Her next single "Snapshot" was one of country music's first music videos. That year "Snapshot" reached the Country Top 5. She also had two other hits that year with the Top 10 hit "I Never Quite Got Back (From Loving You)" and the Top 20 hit "The Boy Get's Around". The next year, 1984, turned out to have no major hits. However, the next year, 1985, had a string of hits, like "Fallin' in Love", "Cry Just a Little Bit", and "I Love You by Heart", which was a duet with Michael Johnson. By 1986 though, Sylvia's chart success was fading as more traditional country singers were entering Nashville, like Garth Brooks, Patty Loveless, and Randy Travis.
Sylvia continued to record for RCA until the end of 1987, Sylvia garnered a total of 13 Top Ten and No. 1 songs, and sold over 4 million records.
[edit] Surprises, country roots and retirement
The release of her fourth album, Surprise, marked her foray into the Adult Contemporary charts, however, her album was not well received in country music. At this point, Barbara Mandrell, Janie Frickie, and Sylvia were no longer the female headliners of country music and were being replaced by Reba McEntire, Kathy Mattea and The Judds. Also, the neotraditionalist movement in country music was at its height. All four albums were produced by Tom Colins, who also produced Mandrell, Charley Pride, and Ronnie Milsap. They have been described by critics as too slick for country music.
Her following album, One Step Closer, produced by the Judd's producer Brent Maher, had a more "earthy" feel to it and was more acoustic as opposed to her previous slick countrified pop oriented music. At this point, RCA her current label downsized and let go Dolly Parton, Louise Mandrell, Deborah Allen and Sylvia from their stable of singers.
Over an eight-year period, Sylvia criss-crossed America many times with her popular concert performances (over 200 per year), and she was a frequent guest on network television talk shows and specials — from The Today Show and Good Morning, America to Dick Clark's American Bandstand and the "Country Music Awards.
Her decision to stop touring and recording at the end of the 1980s was not fueled by the grueling schedule, as some might guess, but by her desire to bring more of herself to the music. So, she turned her energies to songwriting and began a new phase of her journey.
[edit] Life today
A few years after Sylvia's retiremen from the music business, she guest hosted TNN's Crook and Chase show and also hosted her very own Holiday Gourmet cooking special. After selling over four million records and touring extensively for eight years, Sylvia pulled back from the spotlight to write and record music for her own record label, Red Pony Records.
Sylvia's first independent album, The Real Story, was released from Red Pony Records, her own label, in 1996. "The Real Story" was described as a "transition this multi-talented singer/songwriter has gone through over the past few years. Sylvia's reemergence as a recording artist comes after a period of personal growth that has brought her into contact with some of Nashville's finest songwriters and musicians, as well as her own deeper well.
With guitarist/co-producer John Mock lending his exquisite hand and ear, she delves into diverse musical terrain. The album has an acoustic, genuine feel, highlighting Sylvia's warm and clear voice. The songs range from intimate ballads to the up-tempo title song, "The Real Story". She co-writes with well-known tunesmiths Verlon Thompson, Craig Bickhardt, and Kent Robbins." [2]
In 2002, she followed with Where in the World, which marked the culmination of an 11-year musical collaboration between Sylvia and co-producer/instrumentalist John Mock. John's musicianship transforms this "solo" album into a series of duets featuring him on a variety of instruments ranging from guitar and mandolin to uilleann pipes. Another shaping force is songwriter Craig Bickhardt. He penned four of the eleven songs, including the title cut. Craig has recorded, co-written and performed with Sylvia since 1984.
Later that year, Sylvia released A Cradle in Bethlehem, her first Christmas album.
Since 2002, Sylvia has been a life coach where she helps individuals working in the music industry – singers, songwriters, musicians, recording artists, and music industry professionals. She also coaches people who work at non-profit agencies. Her special interest is in helping people find and express their unique Voice.
[edit] The Disney Channel
- Petronella (leading role-fairy tale) (1986)
- The typical fairy-tale story is turned topsy-turvy in this made-for-television musical for the family. Rather than wait for her Prince Charming to show up, young princess Petronella sets out to rescue a prince and call him her own. Country-pop singer Sylvia stars as the princess in this Enchanted Musical Playhouse production. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | U.S. Country Singles | U.S. Pop Singles | U.S. A.C. Singles | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "You Don't Miss a Thing" | #36 | — | — | Single Only |
| 1980 | "It Don't Hurt to Dream" | #35 | — | — | Drifter |
| 1980 | "Tumbleweed" | #10 | — | — | Drifter |
| 1981 | "Drifter" | #1 | — | — | Drifter |
| 1981 | "The Matador" | #7 | — | — | Drifter |
| 1981 | "Heart On the Mend" | #8 | — | — | Drifter |
| 1982 | "Sweet Yesterday" | #12 | — | — | Just Sylvia |
| 1982 | "Nobody" | #1 | #13 | #5 | Just Sylvia |
| 1983 | "Like Nothing Ever Happened" | #2 | — | — | Just Sylvia |
| 1983 | "The Wayward Wind" (with James Galway) | #57 | — | — | The Wayward Wind (James Galway Album) |
| 1983 | "Snapshot" | #5 | — | — | Snapshot |
| 1983 | "I Never Quite Got Back (From Loving You)" | #3 | — | — | Snapshot |
| 1983 | "The Boy Get's Around" | #18 | — | — | Snapshot |
| 1984 | "Victims of Goodbye" | #24 | — | #44 | Surprise |
| 1984 | "Love Over Old Times" | #36 | — | — | Surprise |
| 1985 | "Fallin' In Love" | #2 | — | — | One Step Closer |
| 1985 | "Cry Just a Little Bit" | #9 | — | — | One Step Closer |
| 1985 | "I Love You By Heart" (with Michael Johnson) | #9 | — | — | One Step Closer |
| 1986 | "Nothin' Ventured, Nothin' Gained" | #33 | — | — | Single Only |
| 1987 | "Straight From My Heart" | #66 | — | — | Greatest Hits |
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | U.S. Country Albums | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Drifter | #10 | RCA |
| 1982 | Just Sylvia | #2 | RCA |
| 1983 | Snapshot | #7 | RCA |
| 1984 | Surprise | #40 | RCA |
| 1985 | One Step Closer | #19 | RCA |
| 1987 | Greatest Hits | #59 | RCA |
| 1996 | The Real Story | — | Red Pony |
| 1997 | Anthology | — | Renaissance/BMG |
| 2002 | Where In the World | — | Red Pony |
| 2002 | A Cradle In Bethlehem | — | Red Pony |
| 2002 | RCA Country Legends | — | RCA/BMG |
[edit] Awards and honors
| Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | New Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music | Nominated |
| 1982 | Female Vocalist of the Year Academy of Country Music | Won |
| 1982 | Grammy Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Nobody" (Country) | Nominated |
| 1982 | Billboard's #1 Country Female Artist | Won |
| 1983 | "Nobody", BMI Song of the Year For Most Air-Play | Won |
| 1986 | Command Performance for Ronald Reagan, Ford Theatre Tribute |
Newton has also received numerous awards from Billboard, Cashbox and Record World magazines for 13 Top Ten and two Number One records.
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Television appearances
- The Today Show
- Good Morning America
- American Bandstand
- Solid Gold
- Austin City Limits
- Merv Griffin Show
- Mike Douglas Show
- John Davidson Show
- Hee Haw
- A Tribute To The Ford Theatre
- Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters
- The Music City News Award (Host with Ray Stevens 1983)
- The Tommy Hunter Show (Canada)
- Country Music Awards
- Grammy Awards
- The Academy of Country Music Awards
[edit] The Nashville Network
- The Grand 'Ole Opry (Aug. 1998)
- Opry Backstage (Augg. 1998)
- Prime Time Country (1997)
- Crook & Chase (1999 and Guest host for Lorianne Crook for several years)
- Inside Country (1998-Canada & Europe)
- Music City News Awards (1997 & Co-host of show 1983)
- Holiday Gourmet (Host of her own show for two seasons)
- On Stage
- Nashville Now
- Music City Tonight
- New Country
- This Week In Country Music
- The Statler Brothers Show
[edit] External links
- CMT.com: Sylvia
- Real Names of Famous Folk: Sti-Sz
- CDBaby, Sylvia's Official Site for "The Real Story"
- CDBaby, Sylvia's Official Site for "Where in the World"
- CDBaby, Sylvia's Official Site for "Cradle in Bethlehem"
- Sylvia's Unofficial Website
- Sylvia Album Information on Country Stars
- Sylvia Journal and Updates
