Amy Sky (born 24 September 1960) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, theatre actress, and television host. Sky started classical music lessons at the age of five, and plays piano, guitar, cello and recorder. She has a degree from theUniversity of Toronto in music theory and composition. In 1983, Sky was signed as a staff songwriter to MCA Music Nashville, and subsequently to Warner-Chappell Music in Los Angeles, EMI Music Los Angeles, and Warner-Chappell Music Germany. As a writer she has penned songs for many artists including Diana Ross,Anne Murray,Olivia Newton-John,Reba McEntire, Belinda Carlisle, Aaron Neville, Heart, Cyndi Lauper,Mark Masri, Roch Voisine, and Sheena Easton.
Amy Sky | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Sky at the 2018CFC Annual BBQ | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1960-09-24)24 September 1960 (age 64) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Pop,country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano,recorder, cello vocals |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Iron, Café |
| Website | www |
Biography
editMusic career
editIn 1992, Sky's song "We Can't Look Back" was featured in the final moments and over the credits of theDegrassi TV movieSchool's Out.[1] The song was co-written byEddie Schwartz, famous for writing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and other Top 40 hits.[2]
In 1996, Amy Sky released her 2nd breakthrough albumCool Rain (her first, 1989'sA Breath of Fresh Air was shelved and finally released around 2010) and starred in a Toronto production of the musicalBlood Brothers withDavid Cassidy andMichael Burgess.[3][4] After being nominated for twoJuno Awards, including best songwriter and best new artist, she releasedBurnt by the Sun in 1998, which also earned a nomination for best songwriter.[3][4] The string of radio hits these albums produced garnered her threeSOCAN awards.[4][5] 2001 saw the release ofPhenomenal Woman, which was followed in 2003 by Sky's fourth album,With This Kiss, a romance collection.[4][5] In 2007, EMI releasedLife Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky. In 2008, Sky released a holiday album,The Lights of December. Between 2005 and 2012, she focused on her songwriting and producing for other artists.[4]
Sky has collaborated withOlivia Newton-John several times, writing and producing songs for Newton-John's albumsThe Rumour (1988),Stronger Than Before (2005),Grace and Gratitude (2006) andChristmas Wish (2007).[4][5] In 2008, Sky executive produced the fund raising albumA Celebration in Song: Olivia Newton-John and Friends that accompanied Newton-John's Great Walk to Beijing.[4] In April, Sky joined Newton-John and dozens of international musicians, actors, athletes and cancer survivors to walk theGreat Wall of China to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre inMelbourne.[6] In 2009, Green Hill Records releasedGrace and Gratitude Renewed, which included two new songs. In 2012, Sky made her return to her solo records with the release ofAlive & Awake. As a companion to the album, there was a website and monthly newsletter dedicated to sharing information about mental health self care.[7]
Sky has been nominated for East and West Coast Music Awards, theCanadian Independent Music Awards, and the International Songwriter's Award, and in 2007 won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Best Composition.[4][5] She is the first recipient ever of theCRIA Applause award, recognizing her work on behalf of artist rights. Sky speaks about and advocates for mental health issues.[7]
Other work
editIn 2006, Sky was honoured for her work as a spokesperson in this area, with theCAMH Courage to Come Back award, and the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario Hero Inspiration Award.[8] She continues to advocate for "mental hygiene", and in 2008 was featured on the covers of two magazines,Canadian Health and Lifestyle and the debut issue ofAnchor, speaking about this topic.[7]
Sky has hosted three seasons of parenting shows onRogers TV, currentlyEnfagrow: The Toddler Years with Amy Sky.[4][5]
Sky has lent her support to many charitable causes, including the Parkinson's Foundation,Princess Margaret Hospital, National Ovarian Cancer Association,The Hospital for Sick Children,Easter Seals,Variety, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Mood Disorders of Ontario,United Way, Wellspring,Gilda's Club,Casey House,Covenant House, Ontario Child Abuse Prevention and Zareinu.[4][6]
Personal life
editSky currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. She is married to musicianMarc Jordan and they have two children together, a son, Ezra and a daughter, Zoe. Both Ezra and Zoe are musicians and performers as well; Ezra performs music under the name Ezra Jordan,[9] and Zoe performs as Zoe Sky Jordan.
Sky is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism[10]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1989 | A Breath of Fresh Air |
| 1996 | Cool Rain[11] |
| 1998 | Burnt by the Sun[11] |
| 2001 | Phenomenal Woman[11] |
| 2003 | With This Kiss[11] |
| 2006 | Life Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky[11] |
| 2008 | The Lights of December[11] |
| 2012 | Alive & Awake[11] |
| 2016 | Liv On(withOlivia Newton-John andBeth Nielsen Chapman) |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CANAC | CAN | CAN Country | |||
| 1996 | "Don't Leave Me Alone"[11] | 7 | 63 | Cool Rain | |
| "I Will Take Care of You"[11] | 4 | 57 | 51 | ||
| 1997 | "'Til You Love Somebody"[11] | 4 | 56 | 22 | |
| "If My Heart Had Wings"[11] | 8 | ||||
| 1998 | "Love, Pain and the Whole Damn Thing"[11] | 6 | 23 | 58 | Burnt by the Sun |
| "Waterfall"[11] | 27 | ||||
| 1999 | "Heaven (Opened Up Its Doors)"[11] | 20 | |||
| "Ordinary Miracles"[11] | 39 | ||||
| 2000 | "Phenomenal Woman"[11] | Phenomenal Woman | |||
| 2001 | "I Believe in Us"[11] | ||||
| 2003 | "Everything Love Is"(withMarc Jordan)[11] | With This Kiss | |||
| 2005 | "Let It Shine"[11] | Single only | |||
| 2013 | "On a Day Like Today"[11] | Alive & Awake | |||
Guest singles
edit| Year | Title | Artist | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN AC | CAN | ||||
| 1993 | "'Til the Last Teardrop Falls"[11] | Exchange(with Marc Jordan) | 13 | 44 | Exchange |
| 1997 | "All I Have"[11] | Michael Burgess | 38 | A Place in the Sun | |
| 1998 | "Two Story House"[11] | Bruce Guthro | 45 | Of Your Son | |
References
edit- ^"YouTube - Degrassi: School's Out (1992)". YouTube - Degrassi: School's Out (1992)
- ^"Marc Jordan & Amy Sky: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1043 #KOTJ". Toronto Mike'd Podcast. 2 May 2022.
- ^ab"Amy Sky Biography". All Music.
- ^abcdefghij"Amy Sky Biography". Amy Sky.com. Archived fromthe original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved20 October 2014.
- ^abcdeDurrell Bowman (15 October 2009)."Amy Sky". Historica Canada.
Amy Sky studied piano from age four, and later studied music theory and composition at the University of Toronto.
- ^ab"Amy Sky, Charity Work, Events and Causes". Look to the Stars.
- ^abc"Amy Sky, Singer-Songwriter, Mental Health Advocate". Lavin Agency. Archived fromthe original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved20 October 2014.
- ^Karen Bliss (24 April 2013)."Singer Amy Sky Creates Forum For Mental Health, Self Care". Samaritan Magazine. Archived fromthe original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved20 October 2014.
- ^"Singer-songwriter Ezra Jordan aims to follow in successful parents' footsteps". 18 January 2018.
- ^"Artists - Artists Against Racism".
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw"Amy Sky Discography". Discogs.