Crystal Sands - CMA Fest Encore 2007
By Cheryl Harvey Hill, Sr. Staff Journalist
When country music singer/song writer Crystal Sands made her way to Nashville to attend the CMA Fest (aka "Fan Fair") in 2006, things were a little different. Sands had just graduated from high school and the trip to Nashville was her graduation present from her parents; it was also the culmination of phase one of her life long dream to be a country music singer and the beginning of phase two.
Sands claims that she formulated her career plan before she even started kindergarten. She swears that the first time her parents handed her the microphone to the family Karaoke machine, at the age of three, she knew she was born to be a singer and that is when her quest began. She says that nothing, not even twelve years of school, was able to alter, derail, or deter her, from her musical career path and her trip to Nashville last year only convinced her that music was her destiny. So, for the past year, she has dedicated herself to fine tuning her skills, gathering songs, taking guitar lessons, learning to write, and performing as often as possible around her Baltimore neighborhood, and at nearby festivals, in preparation for the next step.
Demonstrating a practical side, and taking her cue from one of her musical heroes, Tammy Wynette, Sands says she knew she couldn't pursue a singing career without a "plan B." So in addition to her diploma, she majored in cosmetology and acquired her beautician's license so she would "have a way to support myself while I wait to get discovered."
"I've done my homework," she says, "and I am fully aware of how difficult it is to break into this business. I also know that the number of artists who make it to radio is very small. But, although I will always keep working towards that superstar dream, I will be quite content if I am able to make a living with my music. Fame would be nice, but I'll settle for longevity."
She says her trip to Nashville last year was amazing and magical. She was blessed to make a lot of new fans, in addition to meeting several really influential and helpful people within the music industry, who recognized her talent and have helped her stay true to her goals and kept her motivated. "This past year was like going back to school, only this time; I was taking a crash course about the music business. The more I learned, the more I knew I needed to learn, and of all the things I've learned, the most important lesson has probably been one I already knew; 'nothing worth having comes easily'" she says with a acquiescent grin.
During last year's CMA Fest, some strategic meetings initiated via her website led to an introduction to the legendary T.G. Sheppard and the very talented singer and songwriter, Kelly Lang. This encounter resulted in a return trip to Nashville a few weeks later to have Sheppard and Lang co-produce a four song demo with her. It was Sands first recording session in a Nashville studio and she says the experience was just one more affirmation for her that she was on the right track. A few months later, after hearing her demo, she acquired 3XC Music Publishing, LLC, out of Tyler, Texas as sponsors and they introduced her to songwriters Carl Ray and Wood Newton, who agreed to produce her debut album.
Ray, who is from Texas and has sung across the country and around the world, is best known for his concert appearances in Europe although he was a country staple at KVOO radio when he lived in Oklahoma and he never turns down an opportunity to perform for the troops. Newton is an accomplished producer and prolific songwriter who has many music awards to his credit. His very first hit song, which he co-wrote with Dan Tyler in 1976, was "Bobbie Sue;" and it was also the first big hit for the Oak Ridge Boys. Willie Nelson, Charlie Pride, Anne Murray, Tracy Byrd, Tanya Tucker, David Ball, Marty Robbins, and a long, impressive list of other notable singers have recorded his songs over the years. In 2005, Newton took his talents in a different direction and won a Grammy for a very unique project, "Beautiful Dreamer (the songs of Stephen Foster)" in the "best traditional folk album" category.
So this year when Sands arrived in Nashville during CMA Fest week, the vibe was entirely different and phase two of her career plan was completely engaged. Last year she attended as a fan and this year she was in Music City as an artist with a busy recording and meet and greet schedule. Her first stop was the famous Ryman Auditorium where she was able to watch the 40th Annual IFCO Talent Showfrom a VIP placement backstage. With her name prominently displayed in the inside front cover at the beginning of the program by her sponsors, and on the last page of the program, by her Nashville publicist (Karen Tallier of Loudmouth Entertainment), she was soon being approached for autographs; something she readily admits she could get used to. With so many great artists in attendance; including Chris Young, Joe Diffie, Ty Herndon, and Aaron Tippin, just to name a few, she says her excitement level stayed at the max.
Over the next few days her life was a whirlwind of work and play. She spent the better part of two days in the recording studio, laid down seven tracks which included a duet with Ron Williams (son of Leona Williams and step-son of Merle Haggard) but still managed to accept an invitation to the album release party for Big and Rich, took time to sing from the famous bar at the Coyote Ugly Saloon, took a turn on the legendary front stage at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, courtesy ofJohn Stone, did a photo shoot at some of Nashville's most famous landmarks with Tammy Pennington of PhotoArtist Portraits out of Pearland, Texas and even found time to treat herself to a pedicure.
"Slowing down has been my biggest challenge" she says, then after amping up the smile level, the nineteen year old adds, "but, then again, when you consider that I started my career at the age of three; well, I guess I've been pretty patient for the past sixteen years."
Self-titled Debut Album
Hard Times - Sophomore Album
www.reverbnation.com/CrystalSands
www.myspace.com/crystalopry
When country music singer/song writer Crystal Sands made her way to Nashville to attend the CMA Fest (aka "Fan Fair") in 2006, things were a little different. Sands had just graduated from high school and the trip to Nashville was her graduation present from her parents; it was also the culmination of phase one of her life long dream to be a country music singer and the beginning of phase two.
Sands claims that she formulated her career plan before she even started kindergarten. She swears that the first time her parents handed her the microphone to the family Karaoke machine, at the age of three, she knew she was born to be a singer and that is when her quest began. She says that nothing, not even twelve years of school, was able to alter, derail, or deter her, from her musical career path and her trip to Nashville last year only convinced her that music was her destiny. So, for the past year, she has dedicated herself to fine tuning her skills, gathering songs, taking guitar lessons, learning to write, and performing as often as possible around her Baltimore neighborhood, and at nearby festivals, in preparation for the next step.
Demonstrating a practical side, and taking her cue from one of her musical heroes, Tammy Wynette, Sands says she knew she couldn't pursue a singing career without a "plan B." So in addition to her diploma, she majored in cosmetology and acquired her beautician's license so she would "have a way to support myself while I wait to get discovered."
"I've done my homework," she says, "and I am fully aware of how difficult it is to break into this business. I also know that the number of artists who make it to radio is very small. But, although I will always keep working towards that superstar dream, I will be quite content if I am able to make a living with my music. Fame would be nice, but I'll settle for longevity."
She says her trip to Nashville last year was amazing and magical. She was blessed to make a lot of new fans, in addition to meeting several really influential and helpful people within the music industry, who recognized her talent and have helped her stay true to her goals and kept her motivated. "This past year was like going back to school, only this time; I was taking a crash course about the music business. The more I learned, the more I knew I needed to learn, and of all the things I've learned, the most important lesson has probably been one I already knew; 'nothing worth having comes easily'" she says with a acquiescent grin.
During last year's CMA Fest, some strategic meetings initiated via her website led to an introduction to the legendary T.G. Sheppard and the very talented singer and songwriter, Kelly Lang. This encounter resulted in a return trip to Nashville a few weeks later to have Sheppard and Lang co-produce a four song demo with her. It was Sands first recording session in a Nashville studio and she says the experience was just one more affirmation for her that she was on the right track. A few months later, after hearing her demo, she acquired 3XC Music Publishing, LLC, out of Tyler, Texas as sponsors and they introduced her to songwriters Carl Ray and Wood Newton, who agreed to produce her debut album.
Ray, who is from Texas and has sung across the country and around the world, is best known for his concert appearances in Europe although he was a country staple at KVOO radio when he lived in Oklahoma and he never turns down an opportunity to perform for the troops. Newton is an accomplished producer and prolific songwriter who has many music awards to his credit. His very first hit song, which he co-wrote with Dan Tyler in 1976, was "Bobbie Sue;" and it was also the first big hit for the Oak Ridge Boys. Willie Nelson, Charlie Pride, Anne Murray, Tracy Byrd, Tanya Tucker, David Ball, Marty Robbins, and a long, impressive list of other notable singers have recorded his songs over the years. In 2005, Newton took his talents in a different direction and won a Grammy for a very unique project, "Beautiful Dreamer (the songs of Stephen Foster)" in the "best traditional folk album" category.
So this year when Sands arrived in Nashville during CMA Fest week, the vibe was entirely different and phase two of her career plan was completely engaged. Last year she attended as a fan and this year she was in Music City as an artist with a busy recording and meet and greet schedule. Her first stop was the famous Ryman Auditorium where she was able to watch the 40th Annual IFCO Talent Showfrom a VIP placement backstage. With her name prominently displayed in the inside front cover at the beginning of the program by her sponsors, and on the last page of the program, by her Nashville publicist (Karen Tallier of Loudmouth Entertainment), she was soon being approached for autographs; something she readily admits she could get used to. With so many great artists in attendance; including Chris Young, Joe Diffie, Ty Herndon, and Aaron Tippin, just to name a few, she says her excitement level stayed at the max.
Over the next few days her life was a whirlwind of work and play. She spent the better part of two days in the recording studio, laid down seven tracks which included a duet with Ron Williams (son of Leona Williams and step-son of Merle Haggard) but still managed to accept an invitation to the album release party for Big and Rich, took time to sing from the famous bar at the Coyote Ugly Saloon, took a turn on the legendary front stage at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, courtesy ofJohn Stone, did a photo shoot at some of Nashville's most famous landmarks with Tammy Pennington of PhotoArtist Portraits out of Pearland, Texas and even found time to treat herself to a pedicure.
"Slowing down has been my biggest challenge" she says, then after amping up the smile level, the nineteen year old adds, "but, then again, when you consider that I started my career at the age of three; well, I guess I've been pretty patient for the past sixteen years."
Self-titled Debut Album
Hard Times - Sophomore Album
www.reverbnation.com/CrystalSands
www.myspace.com/crystalopry
