Michael Sparkey Drakes
NEWS
My new CD Sparkey & Friends will be released Jan 2007 and I am really looking forward to it.
Caught Up
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12/01/06 @ 11:02 PM
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A reggae and soca singer
Why this name?
When I was in the military in Guyana, I was given the name Sparkey and it stuck.
Do you play live?
Yes that is the only way to go. I have performed in Japan, Africa, USA, South America & the Caribbean. I performed at the Star Mega Jam in Nigeria and was really touched while in Africa.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
I think so for Caribbean artist who are striving hard for the recognition of their music, primarily in soca and calypso, I think that it brings some recognition to the artist that are willing to take advantage of it.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
I am a soca artist and I am not sure most record label know what to do with us, how to promote. Our music currently suffers from a dilema, outside of the Caribbean no one knows what to do with it and therefore limited avenues are available to us.
Band History:
At the age of 11 he started thrilling the congregation at his local church in his native Guyana, with his heavy baritone voice, he knew then that music was to become a major part of his life.
Michael is a former trumpeter with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has sung with the Sheriff Deputies, Yoruba Singers, and GT Music Machine all in Guyana. He recorded a very popular single in Guyana called Wake Up Guyana that was the theme song for the Wake Up Guyana show hosted by Basil Bradshaw.
In November of 1997 Michael was brought to Antigua to perform with Tonik Band(He has since adopted Antigua as his home), after the disintegration of Tonik, Michael joined Vision 2000 and wrote and recorded 10 of the 11 songs on the Absolute Vision album, he sang with BZ Signal before joining Da Bhann in 2004.
With his strong versatile voice and great range when performing Ragga Soca, Dub, Dancehall Reggae or just belting out a catchy tune like Caught Up(that appeared on the 2005 TOSS album for Da Bhann) his stage presence and talent for writing is evident . In May of 2006 he left Da Bhann for a solo career, on June 10, 2006 he performed in New York as a solo artist on the Eastern Caribbean Legends of Music Concert, performing the opening tribute song that he penned to celebrate the OECSs 25th anniversary in accapella.
Michael is a former trumpeter with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has sung with the Sheriff Deputies, Yoruba Singers, and GT Music Machine all in Guyana. He recorded a very popular single in Guyana called Wake Up Guyana that was the theme song for the Wake Up Guyana show hosted by Basil Bradshaw.
In November of 1997 Michael was brought to Antigua to perform with Tonik Band(He has since adopted Antigua as his home), after the disintegration of Tonik, Michael joined Vision 2000 and wrote and recorded 10 of the 11 songs on the Absolute Vision album, he sang with BZ Signal before joining Da Bhann in 2004.
With his strong versatile voice and great range when performing Ragga Soca, Dub, Dancehall Reggae or just belting out a catchy tune like Caught Up(that appeared on the 2005 TOSS album for Da Bhann) his stage presence and talent for writing is evident . In May of 2006 he left Da Bhann for a solo career, on June 10, 2006 he performed in New York as a solo artist on the Eastern Caribbean Legends of Music Concert, performing the opening tribute song that he penned to celebrate the OECSs 25th anniversary in accapella.
Your influences?
I am into reggae and soca, my voice is heavy and therefore I do dancehall, ragga soca and soca well.
Favorite spot?
I really enjoyed Japan and hope to return on my own.
Equipment used:
I play the trumpet, but my instrument is my mic.
Anything else...?
check out my site on myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/sparkeydrakes
http://www.myspace.com/sparkeydrakes