Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

SYLVIA

(b Sylvia Kirby Allen, '57, Kokomo IN) Pop-styled country singer whose hits sometimes crossed over; also an artist: she made pencil portraits of visiting stars at the Little Nashville Opry in Indiana. Moved to Nashville after high school, worked as secretary in publishing offices, graduated from singing on demo tapes to back-up on records by Ronnie Milsap, Charley Pride, Barbara Mandrell; signed with RCA '79 and chart debut was "You Don't Miss A Thing' '79. More hits incl. "The Drifter' and "The Matador', both no. 1 '81, top 5 hits "Heart On The Mend' '81, "Sweet Yesterday' and "Nobody' '82 (last crossed over and sold a million). Albums incl. Drifter '81, Sweet Yesterday '82, One Step Closer '85 on RCA. Tired of continuous touring, semi retired '88 to concentrate on songwriting. Regular guest on TNN with own Holiday Gourmet '89-91. Adopting surname of third husband, returned to full-time performing as Sylvia Hutton '92 with singer-songwriter, stripped-down acoustic style on her own Red Pony Records; acclaimed album The Real Story '97.