Heartland by Peter Spink

Spink, it has been a 10-year road to Heartland, his fourth and latest release, which is strongly inspired by his years playing smaller venues as a duo with violinist Chris Tedesco. Sparsely orchestrated, Heartland is powerfully concentrated in its clean, wistful, evocative sound comprised only of violin, acoustic guitar, Hammond organ and voice. The songs are some of Mr. Spinks best storytelling to date.

Mr. Spink recorded Heartland on his own in the cavernous basement dining hall of a nearby 130-year-old Masonic Temple. Tight on time and money after the birth of his third child, he said it was the only way he could record and still perform while caring for his family. Using only his "free time" to record, the process took more than two years to complete.

Heartland follows Mr. Spink's widely acclaimed third release, Road Show: a collection of contemporary folk and roots-rock originals, honed over hundreds of outdoor summer concerts with his band. It was hailed as "an impressive compilation." by the Sunday New York Times and earned him comparisons with The Dave Matthews Band from ELLE magazine.

Mr. Spink's second release, All There Is, features performances by friends Ellis Paul, Cathie Ryan and Annie Burns. "The songs on this recording," Peter says, "tell of lives at the crossroads, of people wrestling with their demons or regrets". Peter's music, over the years has "opened up sonically and lyrically" writes Scott McLennan of the Telegram & Gazette. "It's adult fare, but with a definite kick". Rex Fowler, half of the legendary folk duo Aztec Two-Step, called All There Is, "Superb," containing "songs and a voice filled with urgency and passion."

In 1994, Mr. Spink released his first CD entitled, Won't Be Denied. The album, produced by bassist/pianist Scott Petito, contains eleven original "contemporary folk" songs by the artist and features some of today's finest musicians including Leslie Ritter on backing vocals; Jay Ungar (composer for the epic drama The Civil War) on fiddle and mandolin, and Randy Ciarlanti (of The Band fame) on drums. The CD was embraced by radio stations across the country with more than 40 AAA stations adding a total of seven cuts to their playlists. Composer David Amram called Peter and the album, "A breath of fresh air to the industry."

Following the release of Won't Be Denied, Mr. Spink was recruited by Michael Lang to perform in Woodstock Reunion '94. He has since shared the stage with scores of well-known musicians, including John Prine, The Doobie Brothers, The Moody Blues, Anne Murray, The Roches, John Gorka, The Bobs, Iris Demente, Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Shindell, Ellis Paul, Bare Naked Ladies, Vance Gilbert, Lucy Kaplansky, Cheryl Wheeler, Katie Curtis, and David Wilcox in various concerts across the mid-west and east coast.

In 1996 the owners of Chile Today - Hot Tamale (international manufacturers of spicy food products) approached Mr. Spink about doing a summer concert tour with a full band. As long-time fans of Mr. Spink's music, the entrepreneurs underwrote Peter's "Feel the Heat Tour",

allowed Peter's music to reach a larger audience. Of Peter's show, John Bates - Outta Sights & Sounds concerts organizer - writes "Peter is marked for greatness". The tour was such a success that it has become an annual summer event, now in its seventh year, encompassing about 40 shows in June, July and August.

Mr. Spink is the recipient of four Billboard Honorable Mention awards for song writing excellence. He has been awarded a national "Meet The Composer" grant Spring 1999. Mr. Spink currently averages 100+ performances per year. Plans for a third CD release of new songs and some "live" re-recordings are underway.

Mr. Spink resides with his wife and three children in Katonah, New York. You can

have a 'virtual visit' with the artist and his music on the World Wide Web at www.peterspink.com

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