True Stories I Made Up by Randy Phillips

It features the guitar and fiddle work of Sean and Sara Watkins from the Grammy-nominated, award winning band Nickel Creek, pianist Barnaby Finch (keyboardist for Lee Ritenour and former musical director for George Benson), distinctive arrangements by the notable jazz guitarist Peter Sprague and an unforgettable alto sax solo by international jazz legend Charles McPherson.

Randy Phillips was born in Santa Monica, California, the second of three children and grew up in West Los Angeles. A creative and expressive child, Randy began writing poetry and composing melodies in second grade which resulted in local Girl Scout awards and publication in several school papers. In high school, she studied drama, wrote songs and sang with a trio called "Stained Glass Rainbow" whose original music won representation by a Hollywood agent. Unfortunately, the agent skipped town with all recordings, contracts and every other trace of his professional existence. Friday evenings were often spent listening to music at "The Troubadour", a small westside club where for $5.00, one could enjoy the up and coming talents of James Taylor, Carol King, Carley Simon, and Cat Stevens. Attending San Diego State University in 1971, her musical career took a slight detour when she became intrigued with sociology and religious studies. While working on a Sociology degree, she studied poetry with the acclaimed, award winning poet, Carolyn Forche.

Graduating with a degree in Sociology in 1976, Randy took employment working nights counseling runaway adolescents at a residential treatment program called "The Bridge." She found that playing guitar and singing songs of longing such as "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Someday Soon", as well as some of her own compositions facilitated a healing process for many of the runaways with whom she worked. Her journey in the counseling field led her into the early Hospice movement where, while earning her Masters degree in Social Work she participated in establishing San Diego Hospice, one of the first, largest and most well respected hospices in the country. While she was Director of Psychosocial Services there, Randy employed her musical talents with terminally ill patients, families and staff members. She was also asked to write the sound track to a film specifically designed to train hospice volunteers across the country. Randy appeared on the local television show "Sun Up San Diego" to sing "Hello", the theme song from that soundtrack.

Over the years, Randy has attracted a diverse and loyal audience. Charles McPherson describes Randy's music as "sensitive and heartfelt. a blend of folk and a certain country sound that has originality. very melodic and calming to the soul." The critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Peggy Watson describes Randy's lyrics as "poetic and thought provoking."

As well as performing at a wide variety of venues throughout San Diego, she has been heard on KPBS Radio's premier forum for the arts, "The Lounge". Her song, "Cross at the Curve in the Road" from her 2001 release has been featured on the popular National Public Radio show, Car Talk.

Randy's previos release "Wild Horses" features the fine dobro, fiddle and banjo signature of acclaimed bluegrass musician Dennis Caplinger. Peter Sprague, who co-wrote 8 of the 11 original songs featured on the album, wields his magic in moving arrangements and soaring guitar work.

Her newest CD "True Stories I Made Up" released in 2005 is a poetic collection of original, lyric oriented jazz infused folk that speaks directly to the heart. A fine collaboration with multiple award winning guitarist Peter Sprague, the album features master bass player Bob Magnusson on 3 Pat Metheny tunes interpreted lyrically by Randy Phillips.

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