Amy Sky

{{Short description|Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, theatre actress, and television host}} {{Use Canadian English|date=February 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Amy Sky | caption = Sky at the 2018 [[Canadian Film Centre|CFC]] Annual BBQ | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1960|09|24}} | birth_place = [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada | origin = | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Country music|country]] | instruments = Guitar, piano, [[recorder (musical instrument)|recorder]], cello vocals | occupation = Singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, | years_active = 1989–present | label = Iron, Café | associated_acts = [[Marc Jordan]] | website = {{URL|www.amysky.com/}} }} '''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 the [[University 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.

==Biography==

===Music career===

In 1992, Sky's song "We Can't Look Back" was featured in the final moments and over the credits of the ''Degrassi'' TV movie ''[[School's Out (1992 film)|School's Out]]''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxzJ20sOIrI "YouTube - Degrassi: School's Out (1992)"]. YouTube - Degrassi: School's Out (1992)</ref> The song was co-written by [[Eddie Schwartz]], famous for writing "[[Hit Me with Your Best Shot]]" and other Top 40 hits.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marc Jordan & Amy Sky: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1043 #KOTJ|date=2 May 2022 |url=https://www.torontomike.com/2022/05/marc-jordan-amy-sky/|publisher=Toronto Mike'd Podcast}}</ref>

In 1996, Amy Sky released her 2nd breakthrough album ''Cool Rain'' (her first, 1989's ''A Breath of Fresh Air'' was shelved and finally released around 2010) and starred in a Toronto production of the musical ''[[Blood Brothers (musical)|Blood Brothers]]'' with [[David Cassidy]] and [[Michael Burgess (singer)|Michael Burgess]].<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|title=Amy Sky Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/amy-sky-mn0000028115/biography|publisher=All Music}}</ref><ref name=amysky>{{cite web|title=Amy Sky Biography|url=http://www.amysky.com/about-amy/bio/|publisher=Amy Sky.com|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010131914/http://www.amysky.com/about-amy/bio/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After being nominated for two [[Juno Award]]s, including best songwriter and best new artist, she released ''Burnt by the Sun'' in 1998, which also earned a nomination for best songwriter.<ref name=allmusic/><ref name=amysky/> The string of radio hits these albums produced garnered her three [[Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada|SOCAN]] awards.<ref name=amysky/><ref name=canada>{{cite web|author=Durrell Bowman|title=Amy Sky|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/amy-sky-emc/|publisher=Historica Canada|date=15 October 2009|quote=Amy Sky studied piano from age four, and later studied music theory and composition at the University of Toronto.}}</ref> 2001 saw the release of ''Phenomenal Woman'', which was followed in 2003 by Sky's fourth album, ''With This Kiss'', a romance collection.<ref name=amysky/><ref name=canada/> In 2007, EMI released ''Life 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.<ref name=amysky/>

Sky has collaborated with [[Olivia Newton-John]] several times, writing and producing songs for Newton-John's albums ''[[The Rumour (album)|The Rumour]]'' (1988), ''[[Stronger Than Before]]'' (2005), ''[[Grace and Gratitude]]'' (2006) and ''[[Christmas Wish (Olivia Newton-John album)|Christmas Wish]]'' (2007).<ref name=amysky/><ref name=canada/> In 2008, Sky executive produced the fund raising album ''[[A Celebration in Song]]: Olivia Newton-John and Friends'' that accompanied Newton-John's Great Walk to Beijing.<ref name=amysky/> In April, Sky joined Newton-John and dozens of international musicians, actors, athletes and cancer survivors to walk the [[Great Wall of China]] to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in [[Melbourne]].<ref name=look>{{cite web|title=Amy Sky, Charity Work, Events and Causes|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/amy-sky|publisher=Look to the Stars}}</ref> In 2009, Green Hill Records released ''Grace and Gratitude Renewed'', which included two new songs. In 2012, Sky made her return to her solo records with the release of ''Alive & Awake''. As a companion to the album, there was a website and monthly newsletter dedicated to sharing information about mental health self care.<ref name=lavin>{{cite web|title=Amy Sky, Singer-Songwriter, Mental Health Advocate|url=http://www.thelavinagency.com/speaker-amy-sky.html|publisher=Lavin Agency|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020190115/http://www.thelavinagency.com/speaker-amy-sky.html|archive-date=20 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sky has been nominated for East and West Coast Music Awards, the [[Canadian Independent Music Awards]], and the International Songwriter's Award, and in 2007 won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Best Composition.<ref name=amysky/><ref name=canada/> She is the first recipient ever of the [[Music Canada|CRIA]] Applause award, recognizing her work on behalf of artist rights. Sky speaks about and advocates for mental health issues.<ref name=lavin/>

===Other work=== In 2006, Sky was honoured for her work as a spokesperson in this area, with the [[Centre for Addiction and Mental Health|CAMH]] Courage to Come Back award, and the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario Hero Inspiration Award.<ref name=samaritan>{{cite web|author=Karen Bliss|title=Singer Amy Sky Creates Forum For Mental Health, Self Care|url=http://www.samaritanmag.com/1544/singer-amy-sky-creates-forum-mental-health-self-care|publisher=Samaritan Magazine|date=24 April 2013|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020190555/http://www.samaritanmag.com/1544/singer-amy-sky-creates-forum-mental-health-self-care|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 of ''Anchor'', speaking about this topic.<ref name=lavin/>

Sky has hosted three seasons of parenting shows on [[Rogers TV]], currently ''Enfagrow: The Toddler Years with Amy Sky''.<ref name=amysky/><ref name=canada/>

Sky has lent her support to many charitable causes, including the Parkinson's Foundation, [[Princess Margaret Cancer Centre|Princess Margaret Hospital]], National Ovarian Cancer Association, [[The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto|The Hospital for Sick Children]], [[Easter Seals (Canada)|Easter Seals]], [[Variety, the Children's Charity|Variety]], MADD ([[Mothers Against Drunk Driving]]), Mood Disorders of Ontario, [[United Way of Canada|United Way]], Wellspring, [[Gilda's Club]], [[Casey House (Toronto, Ontario)|Casey House]], [[Covenant House]], Ontario Child Abuse Prevention and Zareinu.<ref name=amysky/><ref name=look/>

===Personal life=== Sky currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. She is married to musician [[Marc 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,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cjnews.com/culture/singer-songwriter-ezra-jordan-aims-follow-successful-parents-footsteps|title = Singer-songwriter Ezra Jordan aims to follow in successful parents' footsteps|date = 18 January 2018}}</ref> and Zoe performs as Zoe Sky Jordan.

Sky is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://artistsagainstracism.org/artists/|title = Artists - Artists Against Racism}}</ref>

==Discography==

===Albums=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Album |- | 1989 | ''A Breath of Fresh Air'' |- | 1996 | ''Cool Rain''<ref name=discogs>{{cite web|title=Amy Sky Discography|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/421957-Amy-Sky?type=Credits|publisher=Discogs}}</ref> |- | 1998 | ''Burnt by the Sun''<ref name=discogs/> |- | 2001 | ''Phenomenal Woman''<ref name=discogs/> |- | 2003 | ''With This Kiss''<ref name=discogs/> |- | 2006 | ''Life Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky''<ref name=discogs/> |- | 2008 | ''The Lights of December''<ref name=discogs/> |- | 2012 | ''Alive & Awake''<ref name=discogs/> |- | 2016 | ''[[Liv On]]'' (with [[Olivia Newton-John]] and [[Beth Nielsen Chapman]]) |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan=2| Year ! rowspan=2| Title ! colspan=3| Chart positions ! rowspan=2| Album |- ! width="45"| CAN {{abbr|AC|adult contemporary}} ! width="45"| CAN ! width="45"| CAN Country |- | rowspan=2|1996 | "Don't Leave Me Alone"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 7 | align="center"| 63 | align="center"| | rowspan=4|''Cool Rain'' |- | "I Will Take Care of You"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 4 | align="center"| 57 | align="center"| 51 |- | rowspan=2|1997 | "'Til You Love Somebody"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 4 | align="center"| 56 | align="center"| 22 |- | "If My Heart Had Wings"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 8 | align="center"| | align="center"| |- | rowspan=2|1998 | "Love, Pain and the Whole Damn Thing"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 6 | align="center"| 23 | align="center"| 58 | rowspan=4|''Burnt by the Sun'' |- | "Waterfall"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 27 | align="center"| | align="center"| |- | rowspan=2|1999 | "Heaven (Opened Up Its Doors)"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 20 | align="center"| | align="center"| |- | "Ordinary Miracles"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| 39 | align="center"| | align="center"| |- | 2000 | "Phenomenal Woman"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| | align="center"| | align="center"| | rowspan=2|''Phenomenal Woman'' |- | 2001 | "I Believe in Us"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| | align="center"| | align="center"| |- | 2003 | "Everything Love Is" (with [[Marc Jordan]])<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| | align="center"| | align="center"| | ''With This Kiss'' |- | 2005 | "Let It Shine"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| | align="center"| | align="center"| | Single only |- | 2013 | "On a Day Like Today"<ref name=discogs/> | align="center"| | align="center"| | align="center"| | ''Alive & Awake'' |}

===Guest singles=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan=2| Year ! rowspan=2| Title ! rowspan=2| Artist ! colspan=2| Chart positions ! rowspan=2| Album |- ! width="50"| CAN AC ! width="50"| CAN |- | 1993 | "'Til the Last Teardrop Falls"<ref name=discogs/> | Exchange (with Marc Jordan) | align="center"| 13 | align="center"| 44 | ''Exchange'' |- | 1997 | "All I Have"<ref name=discogs/> | [[Michael Burgess (singer)|Michael Burgess]] | align="center"| 38 | align="center"| | ''A Place in the Sun'' |- | 1998 | "Two Story House"<ref name=discogs/> | [[Bruce Guthro]] | align="center"| 45 | align="center"| | ''[[Of Your Son]]'' |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=1012202|name=Amy Sky}} *[http://www.amysky.com Official site]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sky, Amy}} [[Category:1960 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Actresses from Toronto]] [[Category:Canadian country guitarists]] [[Category:Canadian country singer-songwriters]] [[Category:Canadian women country singers]] [[Category:Canadian women pop singers]] [[Category:Canadian pop cellists]] [[Category:Canadian pop guitarists]] [[Category:Canadian pop pianists]] [[Category:Canadian record producers]] [[Category:Canadian recorder players]] [[Category:Canadian stage actresses]] [[Category:Canadian women record producers]] [[Category:Jewish Canadian musicians]] [[Category:Singers from Toronto]] [[Category:People with bipolar disorder]] [[Category:University of Toronto alumni]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian women singers]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian pianists]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian women singers]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian guitarists]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian pianists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian cellists]] [[Category:21st-century cellists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian women guitarists]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian women guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian women pianists]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian women pianists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian flautists]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian flautists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian singer-songwriters]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters]]