Stephanie Tucker Little

Stephanie Tucker Little started playing piano when she was three. She's still playing music now, although she's expanded the number of instruments she plays to more than seven and switched her primary focus to the guitar.

"It was always there," the self-taught singer-songwriter said of her musical gifts.

The Colonial Heights resident's first album, "When Sea Shells Dance", receives air play in 17 countries, including the Netherlands, where she was asked to do a commercial for a radio station, and Belgium, where she is quite popular. Little said she regularly receives playlists from stations in Europe, telling her when her songs have played.

The music that people are enjoying in this country and across the world was committed to record right here in Prince George County, where Little recorded in the home studio of her friend Cham Laughlin.

"He was very talented and played lots of instruments," Little said of her friend, who passed away in 2009. "It was a very enjoyable experience playing with him...We had a great time."

The seeds for the record were planted when a church picnic in Petersburg moved inside to escape the heat of the Virginia summer. Little was drawn to the piano in the host's living room. The church choir gathered around her as she played. A friend of hers who was involved in book promotion said he wanted to try promoting her music. To do that, she had to have a record.

"I always wanted to do it, but I was too shy," Little said of recording.

Although she and that friend never worked together, that was the push Little needed to create something that is currently enjoyed all over the world.

"I'm glad that he gave me that push, because without it, I wouldn't have put it on an album," she said.

From the piano, Little moved on to other instruments, buying a ukulele with the money she received for her 12th birthday. When she was 15, her parents gave her a guitar and it was love at first strum. According to Little, nothing was more natural.

"It's in me to play," she said. "I have to do it. If I did it in a closet and never let anybody hear me, I'd have to play."

Little was always shy about her musical abilities and first began to share her talent with Marrow Stuart Smith, a woman Little regards as a close friend and "unofficial grandmother," but who many know as the first grandchild of legendary cavalry commander General J.E.B. Stuart.

"Marrow was the most remarkable person I have ever met!" Little wrote in the epilogue of Smith's memoirs, published as "Life After J.E.B. Stuart." "In the end, it was Marrow who encouraged me with my music, giving me the confidence I needed at such a young and fragile time in my life."

Little's memories of Smith will also be included in a soon to be published second book by Sharon Stuart McRee called "The Stuarts of Virginia."

Little is currently preparing to head back to Prince George County to record a second album. This one will be a little more personal than the first, which includes folk classics, covers of songs by the Beatles and others, as well as some instrumentals she composed herself.

"I'm doing a lot of my own songs on this next album," Little said. "Trying to put the shyness aside, I've written words to these songs."

At least one of the songs was inspired by an event that took place in Little's own neighborhood. Another was inspired by her memories of Marrow Stuart Smith's garden.

Family, friends, faith provide Little with inspiration, as does the water, which is a lyrical motif in many of her songs.

"I have to be near the water," she said. "It comforts my soul."

Little lives in Colonial Heights with her husband and a Yellow Nape Amazon Parrot called Corkey, who likes to sing along with Little and has a performance routine of her own.

More information about Little, and her music, is available at www.stephanietuckerlittle.com

Courtesy of The Hopewell News
www.hopewellnews.com - THE HOPEWELL NEWS - Articles By: Sarah Steele Wilson March 26, 2012

Stephanie Tucker Little started playing piano when she was three. She's still playing music now, although she's expanded the number of instruments she plays to more than seven and switched her primary focus to the guitar.

"It was always there," the self-taught singer-songwriter said of her musical gifts.

The Colonial Heights resident's first album, "When Sea Shells Dance", receives air play in 17 countries, including the Netherlands, where she was asked to do a commercial for a radio station, and Belgium, where she is quite popular. Little said she regularly receives playlists from stations in Europe, telling her when her songs have played.

The music that people are enjoying in this country and across the world was committed to record right here in Prince George County, where Little recorded in the home studio of her friend Cham Laughlin.

"He was very talented and played lots of instruments," Little said of her friend, who passed away in 2009. "It was a very enjoyable experience playing with him...We had a great time."

The seeds for the record were planted when a church picnic in Petersburg moved inside to escape the heat of the Virginia summer. Little was drawn to the piano in the host's living room. The church choir gathered around her as she played. A friend of hers who was involved in book promotion said he wanted to try promoting her music. To do that, she had to have a record.

"I always wanted to do it, but I was too shy," Little said of recording.

Although she and that friend never worked together, that was the push Little needed to create something that is currently enjoyed all over the world.

"I'm glad that he gave me that push, because without it, I wouldn't have put it on an album," she said.

From the piano, Little moved on to other instruments, buying a ukulele with the money she received for her 12th birthday. When she was 15, her parents gave her a guitar and it was love at first strum. According to Little, nothing was more natural.

"It's in me to play," she said. "I have to do it. If I did it in a closet and never let anybody hear me, I'd have to play."

Little was always shy about her musical abilities and first began to share her talent with Marrow Stuart Smith, a woman Little regards as a close friend and "unofficial grandmother," but who many know as the first grandchild of legendary cavalry commander General J.E.B. Stuart.

"Marrow was the most remarkable person I have ever met!" Little wrote in the epilogue of Smith's memoirs, published as "Life After J.E.B. Stuart." "In the end, it was Marrow who encouraged me with my music, giving me the confidence I needed at such a young and fragile time in my life."

Little's memories of Smith will also be included in a soon to be published second book by Sharon Stuart McRee called "The Stuarts of Virginia."

Little is currently preparing to head back to Prince George County to record a second album. This one will be a little more personal than the first, which includes folk classics, covers of songs by the Beatles and others, as well as some instrumentals she composed herself.

"I'm doing a lot of my own songs on this next album," Little said. "Trying to put the shyness aside, I've written words to these songs."

At least one of the songs was inspired by an event that took place in Little's own neighborhood. Another was inspired by her memories of Marrow Stuart Smith's garden.

Family, friends, faith provide Little with inspiration, as does the water, which is a lyrical motif in many of her songs.

"I have to be near the water," she said. "It comforts my soul."

Little lives in Colonial Heights with her husband and a Yellow Nape Amazon Parrot called Corkey, who likes to sing along with Little and has a performance routine of her own.

More information about Little, and her music, is available at www.stephanietuckerlittle.com

Courtesy of The Hopewell News
www.hopewellnews.com - THE HOPEWELL NEWS - Articles By: Sarah Steele Wilson March 26, 2012

Stephanie Tucker Little started playing piano when she was three. She's still playing music now, although she's expanded the number of instruments she plays to more than seven and switched her primary focus to the guitar.

"It was always there," the self-taught singer-songwriter said of her musical gifts.

The Colonial Heights resident's first album, "When Sea Shells Dance", receives air play in 17 countries, including the Netherlands, where she was asked to do a commercial for a radio station, and Belgium, where she is quite popular. Little said she regularly receives playlists from stations in Europe, telling her when her songs have played.

The music that people are enjoying in this country and across the world was committed to record right here in Prince George County, where Little recorded in the home studio of her friend Cham Laughlin.

"He was very talented and played lots of instruments," Little said of her friend, who passed away in 2009. "It was a very enjoyable experience playing with him...We had a great time."

The seeds for the record were planted when a church picnic in Petersburg moved inside to escape the heat of the Virginia summer. Little was drawn to the piano in the host's living room. The church choir gathered around her as she played. A friend of hers who was involved in book promotion said he wanted to try promoting her music. To do that, she had to have a record.

"I always wanted to do it, but I was too shy," Little said of recording.

Although she and that friend never worked together, that was the push Little needed to create something that is currently enjoyed all over the world.

"I'm glad that he gave me that push, because without it, I wouldn't have put it on an album," she said.

From the piano, Little moved on to other instruments, buying a ukulele with the money she received for her 12th birthday. When she was 15, her parents gave her a guitar and it was love at first strum. According to Little, nothing was more natural.

"It's in me to play," she said. "I have to do it. If I did it in a closet and never let anybody hear me, I'd have to play."

Little was always shy about her musical abilities and first began to share her talent with Marrow Stuart Smith, a woman Little regards as a close friend and "unofficial grandmother," but who many know as the first grandchild of legendary cavalry commander General J.E.B. Stuart.

"Marrow was the most remarkable person I have ever met!" Little wrote in the epilogue of Smith's memoirs, published as "Life After J.E.B. Stuart." "In the end, it was Marrow who encouraged me with my music, giving me the confidence I needed at such a young and fragile time in my life."

Little's memories of Smith will also be included in a soon to be published second book by Sharon Stuart McRee called "The Stuarts of Virginia."

Little is currently preparing to head back to Prince George County to record a second album. This one will be a little more personal than the first, which includes folk classics, covers of songs by the Beatles and others, as well as some instrumentals she composed herself.

"I'm doing a lot of my own songs on this next album," Little said. "Trying to put the shyness aside, I've written words to these songs."

At least one of the songs was inspired by an event that took place in Little's own neighborhood. Another was inspired by her memories of Marrow Stuart Smith's garden.

Family, friends, faith provide Little with inspiration, as does the water, which is a lyrical motif in many of her songs.

"I have to be near the water," she said. "It comforts my soul."

Little lives in Colonial Heights with her husband and a Yellow Nape Amazon Parrot called Corkey, who likes to sing along with Little and has a performance routine of her own.

More information about Little, and her music, is available at www.stephanietuckerlittle.com

Courtesy of The Hopewell News
www.hopewellnews.com - THE HOPEWELL NEWS - Articles By: Sarah Steele Wilson March 26, 2012

Stephanie Tucker Little started playing piano when she was three. She's still playing music now, although she's expanded the number of instruments she plays to more than seven and switched her primary focus to the guitar.

"It was always there," the self-taught singer-songwriter said of her musical gifts.

The Colonial Heights resident's first album, "When Sea Shells Dance", receives air play in 17 countries, including the Netherlands, where she was asked to do a commercial for a radio station, and Belgium, where she is quite popular. Little said she regularly receives playlists from stations in Europe, telling her when her songs have played.

The music that people are enjoying in this country and across the world was committed to record right here in Prince George County, where Little recorded in the home studio of her friend Cham Laughlin.

"He was very talented and played lots of instruments," Little said of her friend, who passed away in 2009. "It was a very enjoyable experience playing with him...We had a great time."

The seeds for the record were planted when a church picnic in Petersburg moved inside to escape the heat of the Virginia summer. Little was drawn to the piano in the host's living room. The church choir gathered around her as she played. A friend of hers who was involved in book promotion said he wanted to try promoting her music. To do that, she had to have a record.

"I always wanted to do it, but I was too shy," Little said of recording.

Although she and that friend never worked together, that was the push Little needed to create something that is currently enjoyed all over the world.

"I'm glad that he gave me that push, because without it, I wouldn't have put it on an album," she said.

From the piano, Little moved on to other instruments, buying a ukulele with the money she received for her 12th birthday. When she was 15, her parents gave her a guitar and it was love at first strum. According to Little, nothing was more natural.

"It's in me to play," she said. "I have to do it. If I did it in a closet and never let anybody hear me, I'd have to play."

Little was always shy about her musical abilities and first began to share her talent with Marrow Stuart Smith, a woman Little regards as a close friend and "unofficial grandmother," but who many know as the first grandchild of legendary cavalry commander General J.E.B. Stuart.

"Marrow was the most remarkable person I have ever met!" Little wrote in the epilogue of Smith's memoirs, published as "Life After J.E.B. Stuart." "In the end, it was Marrow who encouraged me with my music, giving me the confidence I needed at such a young and fragile time in my life."

Little's memories of Smith will also be included in a soon to be published second book by Sharon Stuart McRee called "The Stuarts of Virginia."

Little is currently preparing to head back to Prince George County to record a second album. This one will be a little more personal than the first, which includes folk classics, covers of songs by the Beatles and others, as well as some instrumentals she composed herself.

"I'm doing a lot of my own songs on this next album," Little said. "Trying to put the shyness aside, I've written words to these songs."

At least one of the songs was inspired by an event that took place in Little's own neighborhood. Another was inspired by her memories of Marrow Stuart Smith's garden.

Family, friends, faith provide Little with inspiration, as does the water, which is a lyrical motif in many of her songs.

"I have to be near the water," she said. "It comforts my soul."

Little lives in Colonial Heights with her husband and a Yellow Nape Amazon Parrot called Corkey, who likes to sing along with Little and has a performance routine of her own.

More information about Little, and her music, is available at www.stephanietuckerlittle.com

Courtesy of The Hopewell News
www.hopewellnews.com - THE HOPEWELL NEWS - Articles By: Sarah Steele Wilson March 26, 2012

Stephanie Tucker Little started playing piano when she was three. She's still playing music now, although she's expanded the number of instruments she plays to more than seven and switched her primary focus to the guitar.

"It was always there," the self-taught singer-songwriter said of her musical gifts.

The Colonial Heights resident's first album, "When Sea Shells Dance", receives air play in 17 countries, including the Netherlands, where she was asked to do a commercial for a radio station, and Belgium, where she is quite popular. Little said she regularly receives playlists from stations in Europe, telling her when her songs have played.

The music that people are enjoying in this country and across the world was committed to record right here in Prince George County, where Little recorded in the home studio of her friend Cham Laughlin.

"He was very talented and played lots of instruments," Little said of her friend, who passed away in 2009. "It was a very enjoyable experience playing with him...We had a great time."

The seeds for the record were planted when a church picnic in Petersburg moved inside to escape the heat of the Virginia summer. Little was drawn to the piano in the host's living room. The church choir gathered around her as she played. A friend of hers who was involved in book promotion said he wanted to try promoting her music. To do that, she had to have a record.

"I always wanted to do it, but I was too shy," Little said of recording.

Although she and that friend never worked together, that was the push Little needed to create something that is currently enjoyed all over the world.

"I'm glad that he gave me that push, because without it, I wouldn't have put it on an album," she said.

From the piano, Little moved on to other instruments, buying a ukulele with the money she received for her 12th birthday. When she was 15, her parents gave her a guitar and it was love at first strum. According to Little, nothing was more natural.

"It's in me to play," she said. "I have to do it. If I did it in a closet and never let anybody hear me, I'd have to play."

Little was always shy about her musical abilities and first began to share her talent with Marrow Stuart Smith, a woman Little regards as a close friend and "unofficial grandmother," but who many know as the first grandchild of legendary cavalry commander General J.E.B. Stuart.

"Marrow was the most remarkable person I have ever met!" Little wrote in the epilogue of Smith's memoirs, published as "Life After J.E.B. Stuart." "In the end, it was Marrow who encouraged me with my music, giving me the confidence I needed at such a young and fragile time in my life."

Little's memories of Smith will also be included in a soon to be published second book by Sharon Stuart McRee called "The Stuarts of Virginia."

Little is currently preparing to head back to Prince George County to record a second album. This one will be a little more personal than the first, which includes folk classics, covers of songs by the Beatles and others, as well as some instrumentals she composed herself.

"I'm doing a lot of my own songs on this next album," Little said. "Trying to put the shyness aside, I've written words to these songs."

At least one of the songs was inspired by an event that took place in Little's own neighborhood. Another was inspired by her memories of Marrow Stuart Smith's garden.

Family, friends, faith provide Little with inspiration, as does the water, which is a lyrical motif in many of her songs.

"I have to be near the water," she said. "It comforts my soul."

Little lives in Colonial Heights with her husband and a Yellow Nape Amazon Parrot called Corkey, who likes to sing along with Little and has a performance routine of her own.

More information about Little, and her music, is available at www.stephanietuckerlittle.com

Courtesy of The Hopewell News
www.hopewellnews.com - THE HOPEWELL NEWS - Articles By: Sarah Steele Wilson March 26, 2012

When Sea Shells Dance is very cohesive with good use of imagery in all the songs and instrumentals. Stephanie's vocals are passionate, sincere and very engaging. The verses and choruses are excellent and communicate emotion to the listener. - TAXI A&R Company Review, Calabasas, CA

Stephanie Tucker Little's When Sea Shells Dance is a 5-star CD! I am sending it to Las Vegas to be reviewed by a musician friend of mine. I do choreography for his play and he reviews any CD I want him to. - Choreographer, Joan Bargamin, Richmond, VA

This is such a "listenable" CD! I've recommended it to several friends and family, and I can't stop playing it. The artist has such a wonderful range to her voice, and the selection of songs is great. She has skill both on the guitar and vocals. I hope she releases more music soon! - Alison

This CD is great! I love the combination of the instrumentals and some of the greatest songs ever recorded from the past. Although they are all great, my favorite is Dreams. The combination of Stephanie's voice and the music make it, on a scale of 1 to 5, a 5+ for me! - Lora Rae Robinson, GA

What a nice blending of old and new material! The vocal and instrumental arrangements are wonderful throughout. The songs all work incredibly well with each other. Sunny Beaches sounds exactly like the title. I can see the sunlight reflecting off the water. Love Me Tender really surprised me. I was never a big fan of that song, but this version changed my mind. I Love You captures the hope and possibilities of new love so well, while Dreams conveys the desolation one feels when love dies. If you really like to listen to music, this album will be a perfect addition to your collection. - James Boone, VA

I loved every song that was performed on Stephanie's debut CD, When Sea Shells Dance and could not chose just one which I enjoyed more than the others. The music was relaxing and soothing. This CD showed just how talented Stephanie is; whether the song is instrumental or whether it is a vocal rendition you will be reaching for this CD over and over. - Reviewer: Ann Taylor, VA

Stephanie has such a mastery of the guitar and is able to take a familiar piece such as Classical Gas and and make it fresh and alive--it is wonderful. I had the repeat button pressed on that selection. Her touch on I Love You is just right--catchy and light in it's feel--a wonderful choice for her first CD. Perhaps they'll be a 2nd CD? - Jill Woith, VA

I loved every song that was performed on Stephanie's debut CD, When Sea Shells Dance and could not chose just one which I enjoyed more than the others. The music was relaxing and soothing. This CD showed just how talented Stephanie is; whether the song is instrumental or whether it is a vocal rendition you will be reaching for this CD over and over. - Reviewer: Ann Taylor, VA