Amy Sky

Biography

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.

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. The song was co-written by Eddie Schwartz, famous for writing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and other Top 40 hits.
In 1996, Amy Sky released her 2nd breakthrough album Cool Rain×Cool Rain1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Don't Leave Me Alone4:282If My Heart Had Wings4:013Til You Love Somebody3:304I Will Take Care of You4:335Wall Against the Waters5:026Cool Rain4:417Colorado3:588Everything4:029Run Away4:4110Unbreakable Heart4:3311Soledad5:1512Til Tomorrow4:4213Easy Terms3:5514Tell Me It's Not True3:39 (her first, 1989's A Breath of Fresh Air×A Breath of Fresh Air4 June 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1A Breath of Fresh Air4:222Paint Another Picture3:353That's What Faith Is For4:524For All the Right Reasons3:545One Day4:226Joined at the Heart4:587Until You're Mine Again5:108This Is the Love3:589All Over the World4:1310A Better Place5:05 was shelved and finally released around 2010) and starred in a Toronto production of the musical Blood Brothers with David Cassidy and Michael Burgess. After being nominated for two Juno Awards, including best songwriter and best new artist, she released Burnt by the Sun in 1998, which also earned a nomination for best songwriter. The string of radio hits these albums produced garnered her three SOCAN awards. 2001 saw the release of Phenomenal Woman, which was followed in 2003 by Sky's fourth album, With This Kiss, a romance collection. In 2007, EMI released Life Lessons: The Best of Amy Sky. In 2008, Sky released a holiday album, The Lights of December×The Lights of December2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas5:232The Lights of December5:253O Come Emmanuel3:584The Greatest Gift of All (Your Love)3:355Silent Night (Sainte Nuit)5:086O Holy Night4:417Angels in the Snow3:238Let It Snow2:079A Mother's Christmas Wish3:4610Let It Shine3:4611Instrument of Peace4:1812That's What Christmas Means3:15. Between 2005 and 2012, she focused on her songwriting and producing for other artists.
Sky has collaborated with Olivia Newton-John several times, writing and producing songs for Newton-John's albums The Rumour (1988), Stronger Than Before (2005), Grace and Gratitude (2006) and Christmas Wish (2007). 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. 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. 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.
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. She is the first recipient ever of the CRIA Applause award, recognizing her work on behalf of artist rights. Sky speaks about and advocates for mental health issues.

Other work

In 2006, Sky was honoured for her work as a spokesperson in this area, with the CAMH Courage to Come Back award, and the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario Hero Inspiration Award. 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.
Sky has hosted three seasons of parenting shows on Rogers TV, currently Enfagrow: The Toddler Years with Amy Sky.
Sky has lent her support to many charitable causes, including the Parkinson's Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital, National Ovarian Cancer Association, The Hospital for Sick Children, Easter Seals, Variety, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Mood Disorders of Ontario, United Way, Wellspring, Gilda's Club, Casey House, Covenant House, Ontario Child Abuse Prevention and Zareinu.

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, and Zoe performs as Zoe Sky Jordan.
Sky is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism