Nate Sparks was born in Chesapeake and has released nine country/alternative country albums to international and critical acclaim.
Photo Above: COURTESY OF NATE SPARKS
Here is his artistic journey:
Singer-songwriter Nate Sparks, a Great Bridge High School graduate, has created touching and romantic ballads, humorous parodies, and insightful, up-tempo country songs over the past two decades. His ninth album, I’m Still Here, is a fun set of country comedy songs focused on the many challenges of growing older. Produced over the past two years and integrating talent from Tennessee to Eastern Europe, the album represents a mix of traditional country, bluegrass, and alternative country, as well as a pop ballad.
Today’s Country Music magazine said, “Sparks…begs to be compared to Trace Adkins” and that he will “blow you away when hitting play.” Sparks’ first release, From Where I Stand (2005), made a splash internationally, with the single My Greatest Success charting at No. 2 in Toronto. The same single charted at No. 8 in Perth, Australia, on W-FM and was produced into a music video that aired in the United States and Australia. Cashbox magazine said Sparks’ writing was full of “fine lyrics with catchy twists.”
Sparks’ second release, Carry On (2008), charted in station playlists in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The single It Takes a Fire was produced into an animated music video that was screened at the International Bornshorts Film Festival in Denmark and aired on cable stations across Australia.
Sparks was nominated for the Governor’s Award for the Arts in Virginia, finished in the top 10 in a Nashville songwriter competition, and received a Fan Favorites award for his single My Greatest Success from the online streaming platform SuperCountryHits.net. His music has been a staple on Gloucester’s WXGM morning show, including comedy bits he has produced for the show over the years.
Sparks was a 10-year performer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s country music shows and performed along the Virginia Beach strip during the ’70s and ’80s and toured the Southeastern United States with various artists and groups. He has also scored music for commercials, industrial use, and films—including some movies made by Virginia Beach-based Sumbadhat Productions, owned by Coastal Virginia Magazine Editor Butch Maier.
Tracks from I’m Still Here are streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and Amazon Music, along with the iHeart Radio Network. Physical CDs can be ordered through Kunaki at https://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00VK9IIU&pp=1
If you would like to be considered for Coastal Creative Corner, email your story to Editor Butch Maier at bmaier@vistamediainc.com.
