BIO/DISCOGRAPY/FACTS

When you have a musical style that is said to fall somewhere between Faith Hill and Shania Twain…. You have Skyla Spencer.
Skyla was born and raised near Buckhannon, West Virginia.  She was encouraged to believe that love is the food for all who wish to grow, family is the foundation for all who aspire to be, and music is the medicine for all who desire to express their hearts. This is the philosophy that has driven Skyla to pursue her dream to share her music with the world as a country music entertainer.

Growing up in a musical family, Skyla spent countless summer evenings by fire light, surrounded by her parents, her brother, aunts, uncles and cousins, singing to the sounds of guitars, banjos and mandolins. Hearing Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, and Johnny Cash songs from an early age, this struck a chord within Skyla and there was no question that she was hooked from the first time she heard these songs.

Skyla says “I will never forget how powerful the music was on those hot nights. It was almost like a bonding agent among my family members. The more we sang together, the more we embraced each other”. For this reason, Skyla continues to rely on her families love and support to guide her as she writes and performs, even though today they are separated by many miles.  Her parents have shown tremendous support and are her rock.

By age five, Skyla was performing for the congregation at her church on Sunday mornings, and at age 13, she started singing with her cousins country band at local festivals, weddings and other social events. It was also during this time that Skyla took dancce lessons, ice-skating lessons,
cheerleading, and gymnastics.  Little did Skyla know that all of these components would mold her into the high energy performer she is on stage today.  Her influences –Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Patsy Cline, and Reba McIntire’s music instilled in her the drive and determination to take the leap of faith.  The stage befriended Skyla and through this growing process of performing on stages as a dancer and singer this inevitably lead Skyla to Nashville to search for her life long dream. To be Nashville’s next country star.

Prior to her move to Tennessee in 2002, Skyla earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Dance and Psychology from West Virginia University. While in college, she took voice lessons and acting classes, and was a member of the Orchesis Dance Ensemble and Mountain State Jazz Ensemble. It was during this time that Skyla started writing her own music and choreographing dance routines for state fairs, festivals and talent shows where she was invited to perform.
Having experienced great success with her music at various state-sponsored events, Skyla decided to record her first CD at a local studio-Lone Wolf Records. The album titled, "All I Want", was recorded in 2000, and was composed of fourteen original tracks. Her first release, Hero, reached number one on Indie Tracker, and her follow-up single, "Caught Me Lookin", climbed to number one on Inside Country. Her third release, "All I Want", reached number three on the Indie World chart, and "Chuga Choo Choo reached number one on the Indie World chart in 2002 and charted on New Music Weekly. 
 
On June 17, 2001, Skyla was named New Female Vocalist of the Year at the Golden Music Awards in Nashville. During this time, she also maintained her role as owner and operator of Kellys Academy of Dance, in her hometown, where she taught Ballet, Jazz, Modern,Tap, Cheerleading, and Gymnastics. Skyla also hosted her own local Country/Gospel TV show which aired in Buckhannon, WV.
While Skyla truly loved being a dance instructor, and having her own TV show, she realized that if she really intended to pursue a career as a country music artist, she would have to make a conscious decision to move, not only whole-heartedly, but also geographically, toward it. Only in Nashville could Skyla immerse herself in the country music industry, and go after the passion that exudes her-MUSIC!

Upon arriving to Nashville, in a bright yellow car with two cats, Skyla landed a job coaching gymnastics in Franklin, TN. She taught gymnastics for three years and also met many people in the music business working at the gym. During this time Skyla felt she needed to hone her craft as a songwriter, singer, and musician. So she enrolled in guitar lessons, took vocal lessons with Mandy Barnett, and also dance classes-Hip Hop, to help her become a better performer. I also attended songwriter workshops, seminars, and artist workshops affiliated with NSAI and BMI.
Skyla currently is represented by Wildfire Publicity, Acme Music Group, and also non-exclusively with Sharon Smith Talent Agency in Nashville on acting, commercials, etc. Skyla also recently started her own independent record label, Winter Creek Records, and is starting her own publishing company as well.
If that isn’t enough to keep her busy, Skyla also has aspirations to design a line of clothing and a line of hats.  Skyla says “I was Fashion Merchandising Major before switching to dance and psychology and I have always wanted to design my own line of clothing”.

Skyla’s new album titled “You Said Youd Call Me” was released in summer 2005. This album features songs that she wrote, many of which are from real life experiences. Her first album is dedicated to all the people she has lost in her life, and to all the troops who have died fighting for our country. The song "If I Were Rain" is a song dedication to the troops, and is also being used in the 9/11 documentary, Beyond 911. Skyla traveled summer 2005-and 2006 promoting her album at various fairs and festivals around the United States. She spent time talking with people, and have made many new fans and friends.  Skyla says “it is a phenomenal feeling when someone tells you that a song you wrote and sang touched them deeply.”  One of many Skyla’s missions in life is to touch people from all over the world with her music.  Music is great therapy she says-It can make you laugh, cry, dance etc. Music helps a person express the emotions they are feeling at any given time.  It really is therapeutic.

Skyla is paving her way through the Nashville scene.  She also has international recognition.  She recently headlined an Armed Forces Tour in Nov./Dec.2006 and traveled to Guam, Singapore, Japan, and Diego Garcia to sing for the United States Troops.  For more information on Skyla’s achievements visit www.skylaspencer.com .

Inspirational Quote:
Skyla says “I believe that if you have a strong drive, and you are really passionate about your dreams, things will happen for you. The key is to believe in your self and to have faith”.  A dream may look impossible, but if you start believing it can happen you are one step closer to making it
real.

Skyla Spencer Discography

2007

CMA Festival –Appearances & performances
Debut at World Famous Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville
Soles 4 souls –For charity
Performed at Country Music Marathon
Featured in Jan/Feb issue of Skope magazine

2006

Armed Forces Entertainment tour headliner
Nov.29th-Dec.23rd –overseas – Japan, Guam, Singapore,
& Diego Garcia.

Appearances & performances at the CMA Festival

"If Were Rain" used in a September 11th documentary, Moving On From 9/11 - the Story of James M. Kristan, registered in the Sundance Music Festival

Appearance on radio show -Outdoor Trail Magazine
In Nashville. –The Zone.-104.5 –Sang live the National Anthem

Appeared in Eric Church’s “How About You” video

Accepted into CMA as Sterling member

2005

Finished debut album You Said You'd Call Me

CMA Festival –Appearances & Performances

Featured on a downtown Nashville billboard for a month -near Ryman Auditorium - during CMA Fest (formally known as Fan Fair)

Opened for John Anderson, John Conlee, Jimmy Wayne

Showcased during Inspirational Country Music Week at the Gibson Showcase in Nashville

Album distributed in Ernest Tubb stores in Nashville locations, and in Fort Worth, TX

"You Said You'd Call Me" reached #19 on the ECMA Top 100 chart, #1 on Indie World chart

Original song - "If Were Rain" - released to Country Christian radio debuted on the top 100 charts at number # 60

Inducted into West Virginia Music Association
Inducted into Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association

Number One Singles
"You Said You'd Call Me" - Indie World, 2005
"Chuga Choo Choo" - Indie World, 2002 –Also charted on New Music Weekly
"You Caught Me Looking" – Inside Country, 2001
"Hero" - Indie Tracker, 2000

2002
Skyla spencer Fan Club developed
Moved to Nashville

2001

Named New Female Vocalist of the Year at the Golden Music Awards.
Voted by music industry and DJ’s

2000
Registered with BMI

©-March 2005-"Joe Hendricks Photography"