Sara Hickman

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Sara Hickman | image = Sara Hickman by Ron Baker.jpg | image_size = | landscape = Yes | alt = | caption = Sara Hickman at Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas (2006) | birth_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|3|1}} | birth_place = Jacksonville, North Carolina, U.S. | origin = | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = rock/folk/pop/children's | occupation = Singer-songwriter | instrument = Vocals<br>guitar | years_active =  | label = | associated_acts = | website =  }} '''Sara Hickman''' (born March 1, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, and artist.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Sara+Hickman%22&pg=PA89|title=Declarations of Independents|last=Morris|first=Chris|date=May 7, 1994|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.quickdfw.com/sharedcontent/dws/quick3/columnists/hhauk/stories/DN-music_picks_0804ick.State.Edition1.1324204.html|title=Top local shows: Aug. 4–10|date=August 3, 2011|work=Quick DFW|accessdate=August 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=":0">[http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2010-05-07/1025419/ Sara Smile Still], The confessions of Sara Hickman, By Margaret Moser, May 7, 2010, The Austin Chronicle</ref>

==Biography== Hickman was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Both of her parents were artists, with her mother working as a fiber artist and her father as a painter. She grew up in Houston, Texas, where she attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a vocal major.<ref>{{Cite news|title=MUSIC – Two sides to her story|last=McClelland|first=Eileen|date=August 24, 2006|work=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> In 1986, she graduated from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) with a BA in painting.<ref>[http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=10359&source_type=B Sara Hickman] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130415064723/http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=10359&source_type=B |date=April 15, 2013}}, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts</ref> She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1987, where she became a recording artist and musical entertainer. In 1995, she moved to Austin, Texas, then to Smithville, Texas where she now lives with her husband, Lance Schriner and two children, Lili and Iolana.<ref name=":0" />

Hickman is an avid supporter of numerous charities and organizations benefiting children, women, and health. She helps these organizations by creating awareness, donating her time and, often, contributing portions of the proceeds from her record sales.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Folk activism propels singer's career|last=Racine|first=Marty|date=February 6, 1991|work=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> She has been awarded the Humana "Women Helping Women" award for her generous work with such organizations as Safe Place, Habitat for Humanity, House the Homeless, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Race for the Cure, and many other animal and human rights organizations.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://archives.library.rice.edu/repositories/2/resources/1144|title=Collection: Sara Hickman collection {{!}} ArchivesSpace Public Interface|website=archives.library.rice.edu|language=en|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> She was also made an honorary member of the National Association of Music Therapy because of her work in that area. thumb|Sara Hickman performing in 2002 at Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration in Dallas In the early 2000s, she was the National Ambassador for Half Price Books, helping to promote literacy throughout the United States by visiting hospitals and schools where she performed for and read to children.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sara Hickman|last=Oliver|first=Lynett|date=November 10, 2003|work=Austin Woman Magazine}}</ref> Other positions she has held include membership on the board of directors of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, i.e., the Grammies), an advisory board member for ARTS, and the Honorary Chair for Humana's Women Helping Women Awards Ceremony and Convention.<ref name=":0" /> She was also Honorary Chair of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden,<ref name=":0" /> and was invited to be Honorary Chair for the Austin Race for the Cure.

The Texas State Commission on the Arts appointed Hickman the Official Texas State Musician for 2010.<ref>[https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/musicians.html Official Texas State Musicians] – Texas State Library and Archives Commission</ref>

==Music== Hickman's first performance was during a poetry competition in the first grade. She continued to perform in talent shows during her school career and, at the age of 14, she landed her first paid gig. While in high school, she was also introduced to the use of music for social good. She played in a psychiatric unit, helping to provide music therapy to patients.<ref name=":2">Hickman, Sara. "Sara Hickman oral history and transcript." (2017) Rice University: http://hdl.handle.net/1911/99719.</ref>

While she was attending college, Hickman began to play clubs and coffeehouses in and around Dallas. In 1988, Hickman released the LP ''Equal Scary People'' through the Four Dots Label. In March 1989, she was featured on the cover of the Dallas Observer as an up and coming musician.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://music.blog.austin360.com/2016/06/30/sara-hickman-says-shes-retiring-a-look-back-at-her-early-days/|title=Sara Hickman says she's retiring; a look back at her early days {{!}} Austin Music Source|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> The Observer feature led to her signing on the Elektra Records label, through which she released ''Shortstop''. In 1993, however, Elektra and Hickman parted. Hickman, desiring access to the songs which Elektra still had rights to, raised over $40,000 from her supporters to purchase the songs back from Elektra and release a new album, ''Necessary Angels.''<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Hickman has released more than 15 albums, including a half dozen on major record labels, and a few independent albums.<ref name=":1" /> She has performed on at least 25 albums by other musicians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/400729-Sara-Hickman|title=Sara Hickman|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> She had a No. 3 adult contemporary hit "I Couldn't Help Myself", has been a guest on NBC's The Tonight Show twice,<ref>Sara Hickman collection, 1978–2017, MS 718, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University http://archives.library.rice.edu/repositories/2/resources/1144 Accessed July 24, 2018.</ref> hosted her own VH-1 special, produced an independent video, ''Joy'', that won first place in the USA Film Festival, and co-produced the PBS documentary ''Take It Like A Man.''<ref name=":0" />

Hickman also performed a Martika song for the soundtrack to the film, ''Arachnophobia''. She has both appeared in and sung for national ad campaigns for Wal-Mart, Daisy Sour Cream, Southwest Airlines, Fannie Mae, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and others.<ref name=":2" /> She was a part of the country girl group, Domestic Science Club with Robin Lynn Macy and Patty Lege from 1992 until 1998.<ref name=":1" />

Hickman's songs were covered by other Texas musicians, including Willie Nelson, on the 2011 CD ''The Best of Times'', which was a benefit for the organization then known as Theatre Action Project.<ref>{{Citation | last = Caligiuri | first = Jim | title = Texas Artists Performing the Music of Sara Hickman | newspaper = Austin Chronicle | date = October 2, 2011| url = http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2011-10-28/texas-artists-performing-the-music-of-sara-hickman-the-best-of-times/ | accessdate = May 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Awards==

* The National Association of Music Therapists<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commstudies.utexas.edu/research/musicians-record/musicians/sara-hickman|title=Sara Hickman|last=coc-admin|date=January 1, 2011|website=Communication Studies {{!}} Moody College of Communication|language=en-US|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> * Austin Under Forty (2002-Entertainment)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://austinunder40.org/past-winners/|title=Past Winners – Austin Under 40 Awards Gala|work=Austin Under 40 Awards Gala|access-date=July 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> * The Kerrville Folk Festival (community service)<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2013/events/event_MS23588|title=Sara Hickman Schedule {{!}} sxsw.com|website=SXSW Schedule 2013|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> * The Speaking of Women's Health Initiative (community service) * Austin Music Awards (1999-2000-one of the top three songwriters, one of the top five female vocalists, top five singer-songwriters, in top three folk artists, top ten musicians)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/austin-music-awards/year:2000/category:best-of-the-year/|title=2000 Music Awards|work=The Austin Chronicle|access-date=July 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/austin-music-awards/year:1999/category:best-of-the-year/|title=1999 Music Awards|work=The Austin Chronicle|access-date=July 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> * The Dallas Observer Awards (Best Musician, Best Producer, Best Indie Release, Best Major Label Release, Best Female Vocalist)<ref name=":3" /> * Parents' Choice (Gold-Toddler/2001, Recommended-Big Kid/2004)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=14943&StepNum=1&award=aw|title="Big Kid" by Sara Hickman|website=Parents' Choice Foundation|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Sara-Hickman-Toddler/release/12027808|title=Sara Hickman – Toddler|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> * NAPPA Gold (Newborn-2001, Big Kid and Toddler-2004)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sarahickman.com/music/newborn/|title=Newborn|date=April 2, 2018|work=Sara Hickman|access-date=July 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://sarahickman.com/music/toddler/|title=Toddler|date=April 2, 2018|work=Sara Hickman|access-date=July 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> * Dr. Toy's Top 10 Audio Tapes of 2001 (Toddler)<ref name=":4" /> * Dr. Toy's 100 Best Toys of 2001 (Toddler)<ref name=":5" /> * Best Classic Recording 2003 Children's Web Media (Newborn & Toddler) * 2003 New Beginning Center Award * Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Product 2004 (Big Kid) * Creative Child's Top Creative Toy Award 2005 (Toddler – Preferred Choice, Newborn – Seal of Excellence)<ref name=":5" /> * Austin American-Statesman XL Fortunate 500 List: 2007 Edition<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.austin360.com/lifestyles/society/meet-the-out-about-500/V7ojGbcnxmTtq4kjcLeTLL/|title=Meet the Out & About 500|work=austin360|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> * Texas State Musician: 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/musicians.html|title=Official Texas State Musicians {{!}} TSLAC|website=www.tsl.texas.gov|language=en|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref>

== Discography == * ''Equal Scary People'' * ''Shortstop'' * ''Necessary Angels'' * '' Domestic Science Club'' with Patty Mitchell Lege and Dixie Chicks founding member Robin Macy * '' Domestic Science Club'' - "Three Women" with Patty Mitchell Lege and Robin Macy * ''Misfits'' * ''Two Kinds of Laughter'' * '' One Flower to the Left'' * ''Spiritual Appliances'' * '' This Christmas Wish'' * '' Ready to Pop'' * '' Faithful Heart'' * '' Newborn'' * '' Toddler'' * '' Big Kid'' * ''Motherlode'' * '' Absence of Blame'' * '' Shine'' * '' Newborn, Too'' * '' Love Is a Journey'' with African Children's Choir

* ''Guest Artist: Soundtrack "Arachnophobia" track #1 "Blue Eyes Are Sensitive to the Light"''

==Videography== *''Joy'' (Video inspired by homeless woman. Winner of a USA Film Festival award) *''Take It Like a Man'' (PBS documentary) co-produced *''I Am Going On a Journey'' (DVD) (Released September 14, 2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sarahickman.com/album/i-am-going-on-a-journey/ |title=I Am Going On A Journey |publisher=Sara Hickman |date=September 1, 2003|accessdate=February 11, 2014}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Biography}} *Music of Austin

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == *{{Official website|http://www.sarahickman.com}} *[http://www.zenlala.com/ Sara Hickman's Weblog] *[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p13189|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com page] *[http://digitalprojects.rice.edu/houston-folk-music-archive/ Houston Folk Music Archive] (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University) *[http://libguides.rice.edu/houstonfolkmusic Guide to the Houston Folk Music Archive] (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University) {{Sara Hickman}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hickman, Sara}} Category:Songwriters from Texas Category:American women singers Category:American folk musicians Category:Singers from Austin, Texas Category:Singers from Dallas Category:Singers from Houston Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:University of North Texas alumni Category:Music of Denton, Texas Category:Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alumni Category:21st-century American women