Sarah Jory (born Sarah Elizabeth Jory; 20 November 1969 in

Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of Letter (alphabet), letters, symbols, etc., especially by Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process invo ...

, Berkshire, England) is an English musician and vocalist.

Early life

Sarah Jory began to learn to play musical instruments at the age of five when she obtained her first

steel guitar A steel guitar ( haw, kīkākila) is any guitar played while moving a steel bar or similar hard object against plucked strings. The bar itself is called a "steel" and is the source of the name "steel guitar". The instrument differs from a conve ...

. In 1978, she was backed by the group Poacher when she was featured on the

BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...

's ''Live from Golder's''. Also at the age of nine, she joined the band Colorado Country after her father, Arthur Jory, secured her an audition. Jory played with the band for four years while completing her schooling. During this time, the band changed their name to Sarah and the Colorado Country. Jory's first album, ''Sarah's Steel Line'', which she recorded with the band Poacher, was released by Crow Records in 1980, when she was eleven years old. After the album's release, she was asked to play at the Peterborough Festival of Music, having appeared earlier at Neil Coppendale's British Country Music Festival at the Brighton Centre. At thirteen, Jory first visited the United States of America where she played at the Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis with

Buddy Emmons Buddy Gene Emmons (January 27, 1937 – July 21, 2015) was an American musician who is widely regarded as the world's foremost pedal steel guitarist of his day. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1981. Affectionately known by ...

Musical career and honours

From 1984 to 1992, Jory played thirteen

conventions in the US, appearing with

, Lloyd Green and Paul Franklin and worked with Ricky Skaggs,

Porter Wagoner Porter Wayne Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. In 1967, he introduced singer Dolly Parton on his television show, ''The Po ...

and Gene Watson. In 1985, the British Country Music Association voted Jory "The Most Promising New Act", followed by being voted the "Female Vocalist of the Year" for nine consecutive years by the BCMA. She also was voted "European Country Rock Entertainer of the Year". In 1995, 1996 and 1997, BCMA also voted her "British Female Vocalist of the Year". In 1988, Jory worked in

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

and formed her own professional band, opening for

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is often regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s list of ...

in Dublin, among others and toured with Glen Campbell. Jory played with the

Van Morrison Sir George Ivan Morrison (born 31 August 1945), known professionally as Van Morrison, is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose recording career spans seven decades. He has won two Grammy Awards. As a teenager in t ...

band during 2006 and 2009 and performed on his albums ''

Keep It Simple ''Keep It Simple'' is the thirty-third album by Northern Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, released in March 2008. It was Morrison's first US Top 10 album, and made the Top 10 in the UK, Canada and in some European countries. It was his firs ...

'' and ''

Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl ''Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl'' is the fifth live album recorded by Northern Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, and released in the UK on 9 February 2009, and in the United States on 24 February 2009. It was recorded during two li ...

'' and on the DVD '' Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl: The Concert Film''. In 2009, she performed with the group Essence of Ireland.

Discography

*''Sarah's Steel Line'' (LP 1980) *''Sarah on Steel'' (LP 1984) *''Cross Country'' (LP 1985) *''The Way To Survive'' (LP 1987) *''Deep in the Heart of Texas'' (CD 1988) *''Wind Beneath My Wings'' (EP 1988) *''No Time at All'' (LP 1988) *''Dallas City Lights'' (CD 1989) *''Sarah's Dream'' (CD 1990) *''Especially For You'' (LP 1990) *''New Rising Star'' (Video 1990) *''New Horizons'' (CD 1992) *''Never Had It So Good'' (SCD 1992) *''The Early Years 20 Steel Guitar Favourites'' (CD 1993) *''The Early Years 20 Classic Songs'' (CD 1993) *''Daniel O'Donnel & Friends Live'' (Comp. Video 1993) *''An Evening With Sarah'' (Video 1993) *''Web of Love'' (CD 1994) *''The Best of Country And Irish'' (Comp. CD 1994) *''Web of Love'' (SCD 1994) *''Web of Love'' (MC 1994) *''When You Walk in the Room'' (MC 1994) *''Love With Attitude'' (CD 1995) *''The Winners'' (Comp. CD 1995) *''Love With Attitude'' (MC 1995) *''If I Love You'' (SCD 1995) *''If I Had Any Pride Left at All'' (SCD 1995) *''When Promises Made Are Promises Kept'' (SCD 1995) *''Kiss My Innocence'' (CD 1998) *''Country Love Vol. 1'' (Comp. CD 1995) *''The Best of Country And Irish Live'' (Comp DVD 1999) *''Rhythm in the Rain'' (SCD 1999) *''Always The Same in Love'' (SCD 1999) *''Always The Same in Love'' (Video 1999) *''The Sarah Jory Band Live!'' (CD 2000) *''What I Really Meant To Say'' (CD 2003) *''Steelin' From The Blue Room'' (CD 2004) Appearances with other artists: *''The Dean Brothers – Same Train Different Track'' (SCD 1995) *''Claire Gaynor – Devotion'' (CD 2000) *''Elkie Brooks – Live with Friends'' (CD 2006) *''Riem de Wolff – Back On Track'' (CD 2006) *''Bob The Builder – Built To Be Wild'' (DVD 2006) *''Elkie Brooks & Friends – Pearls'' (DVD 2006) *''Lucie Diamond – Kilimanjaro'' (SCD 2006) *''Alan West – Songs From A Neophyte'' (CD 2007) *''Chris Farlow – Hotel Eingang'' (CD 2008) *''Van Morrison – Keep It Simple'' (CD 2008) *''Nathan Carter – On The Road'' (CD 2008) *''Van Morrison – Astral Weeks: Live At The Hollywood Bowl'' (CD 2009) *''Van Morrison – Astral Weeks: Live At The Hollywood Bowl'' (DVD 2009) *''Mark Travis – Mother'' (SCD 2009)

References

External links

Sarah Jory at Last.fm
* allmusic: Sarah Jory – Discography {{DEFAULTSORT:Jory, Sarah 1969 births Living people Van Morrison English alternative country singers English women singers English women guitarists English guitarists Musicians from Reading, Berkshire Steel guitarists