Amy Sky
Encyclopedia
Amy Sky 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 the University of Toronto
in music theory and composition. In 1983, Amy was signed as a staff song writer to MCA Music Nashville, and then 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.
and Michael Burgess. After being nominated for two Juno Awards, including best songwriter and best new artist, she released Burnt by the Sun in 1998, which also earned a nomination for best songwriter. The string of radio hits these albums produced, garnered her three SOCAN awards. 2001 saw the release of Phenomenal Woman, which was followed in 2004 by Sky's fourth album, With This Kiss, a romance collection. In 2007, EMI released Life Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky.
Since 2005, Sky has renewed her collaboration with Olivia Newton-John
, writing and producing songs for Newton-John's albums Stronger Than Before
(2005), Grace and Gratitude
(2006) and Christmas Wish
(2007). In 2008, Sky executive produced the fund raising album Celebration and Song: Olivia Newton-John and Friends that will accompany Olivia's Great Walk to Beijing. In April, Sky joined Olivia and dozens of international musicians, actors, athletes and cancer survivors, to walk the Great Wall of China, in order to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, in Melbourne, Australia.
Sky has been nominated for East and West Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Independent Music Awards, International Songwriter's Award, and in 2007 won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Best Composition. She is the first recipient ever of the CRIA
Applause award, recognizing her work on behalf of artist rights. Amy speaks about and advocates for mental health issues.
Sky has hosted three seasons of Parenting shows on Rogers TV, currently Enfagrow: The Toddler Years with Amy Sky.
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.
Her husband is musician Marc Jordan
, and they have two children together, a son, Ezra and a daughter, Zoe. Zoe also composes music and performs with her own band, Petty Victories. Amy currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
She has a degree from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in music theory and composition. In 1983, Amy was signed as a staff song writer to MCA Music Nashville, and then 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
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
, Belinda Carlisle, Aaron Neville, Heart, Cyndi Lauper, Mark Masri
Mark Masri
Mark Masri is a Canadian singer, songwriter and producer of pop, classical and inspirational songs. He also plays the piano. He is signed to EMI record label. He has released four albums: Mark Masri, La Voce, Christmas Is..., and A Christmas Time with You, as well as a special US release: See My...
, Roch Voisine and Sheena Easton.
Biography
In 1996, she released her debut album as a recording artist, Cool Rain and starred in a Toronto production of the musical Blood Brothers with David CassidyDavid Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
and Michael Burgess. After being nominated for two Juno Awards, including best songwriter and best new artist, she released Burnt by the Sun in 1998, which also earned a nomination for best songwriter. The string of radio hits these albums produced, garnered her three SOCAN awards. 2001 saw the release of Phenomenal Woman, which was followed in 2004 by Sky's fourth album, With This Kiss, a romance collection. In 2007, EMI released Life Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky.
Since 2005, Sky has renewed her collaboration with Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
, writing and producing songs for Newton-John's albums Stronger Than Before
Stronger Than Before
Stronger Than Before is an album of Olivia Newton-John, launched in 2005. It is an album of inspiration and encouragement to women who have dealt with cancer .-Track listing:#"Stronger Than Before"...
(2005), Grace and Gratitude
Grace and Gratitude
-Charts:AlbumYear-endSingles-Release history:...
(2006) and Christmas Wish
Christmas Wish (Olivia Newton-John album)
Christmas Wish is an album of Olivia Newton-John, launched in 2007. It is the third album of Christmas Music recorded by Newton-John and the second album produced by Amy Sky.-Track listing:...
(2007). In 2008, Sky executive produced the fund raising album Celebration and Song: Olivia Newton-John and Friends that will accompany Olivia's Great Walk to Beijing. In April, Sky joined Olivia and dozens of international musicians, actors, athletes and cancer survivors, to walk the Great Wall of China, in order to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, in Melbourne, Australia.
Sky has been nominated for East and West Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Independent Music Awards, International Songwriter's Award, and in 2007 won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Best Composition. She is the first recipient ever of the CRIA
Cria
A cria is the name for a baby camelid such as a llama, alpaca, vicuña, or guanaco. It comes from the Spanish word cría, meaning "baby". Its false cognate in English, crya , was coined by British sailors who explored Chile in the 18th century and were quick to describe the camelids onomatopoeically...
Applause award, recognizing her work on behalf of artist rights. Amy speaks about and advocates for mental health issues.
Other work
In 2006, Sky was honoured for her work as a spokesperson in this area, with the CAMH Courage to Come Back award. She continues to advocate for "mental hygiene", and in 2008 has been featured on the covers of two magazines "Canadian Health and Lifestyle" and the debut issue of "Anchor", speaking about this topic.Sky has hosted three seasons of Parenting shows on Rogers TV, currently Enfagrow: The Toddler Years with Amy Sky.
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
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
), Mood Disorders of Ontario, United Way, Wellspring, Gilda's Club, Casey House, Covenant House, Ontario Child Abuse Prevention and Zareinu.
Her husband is musician Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
, and they have two children together, a son, Ezra and a daughter, Zoe. Zoe also composes music and performs with her own band, Petty Victories. Amy currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Cool Rain |
| 1998 | Burnt by the Sun |
| 2001 | Phenomenal Woman |
| 2003 | With This Kiss |
| 2006 | Life Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky |
| 2008 | The Lights Of December |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN AC | CAN | CAN Country | |||
| 1996 | "Don't Leave Me Alone" | 7 | 63 | Cool Rain | |
| "I Will Take Care of You" | 4 | 57 | 51 | ||
| 1997 | "'Til You Love Somebody" | 4 | 56 | 22 | |
| "If My Heart Had Wings" | 8 | ||||
| 1998 | "Love, Pain and the Whole Damn Thing" | 6 | 23 | 58 | Burnt by the Sun |
| "Waterfall" | 27 | ||||
| 1999 | "Heaven (Opened Up Its Doors)" | 20 | |||
| "Ordinary Miracles" | 39 | ||||
| 2000 | "Phenomenal Woman" | Phenomenal Woman | |||
| 2001 | "I Believe in Us" | ||||
| 2003 | "Everything Love Is" (with Marc Jordan Marc Jordan Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban... ) |
With This Kiss | |||
| 2005 | "Let It Shine" | Single only |
Guest singles
| Year | Title | Artist | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN AC | CAN | ||||
| 1993 | "'Til the Last Teardrop Falls" | Exchange (with Marc Jordan) | 13 | 44 | Exchange |
| 1997 | "All I Have" | Michael Burgess Michael Burgess (singer) Michael Burgess is a popular Canadian actor and singer .Burgess is best known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in the Toronto production of Les Misérables. He appeared as one of the 17 Jean Valjeans at the end of the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert... |
38 | A Place in the Sun | |
| 1998 | "Two Story House" | Bruce Guthro Bruce Guthro Bruce Guthro is a Canadian singer / songwriter, from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Guthro has recorded as a solo artist, and in 1998 also joined Scottish folk rock band Runrig, whilst still pursuing his solo career... |
45 | Of Your Son Of Your Son Of Your Son is the 1998 second album from Canadian artist Bruce Guthro. The album produced the singles Walk This Road, Falling, Good Love and Love Lives On... |