One of the songs Samantha “Sammy Jo” Masokas first performed in public was “Teardrops on My Guitar,” which is now part of Sparks Fly — The Taylor Swift Experience’s set list.
“One of Taylor Swift’s first singles was ‘Teardrops on My Guitar.’ That was one of the first songs I learned to play on the acoustic. It was super simple and easy to pick up so that stuck with me,” said Masokas, who sings and plays acoustic guitar for Sparks Fly.
“Her first album came out when I was about 13 years old. That was when I was really getting into playing guitar and singing. Her music had a big impact in that kind of age range when I was starting out so it’s always had a special place in my heart and been a part of my life for 14 years now.”
Masokas, who grew up in Joliet and now lives in Plainfield, was preparing for a big April show with Sparks Fly at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park before venues were temporarily closed and large gatherings were canceled to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“That was probably the one show I was most excited about. That’s a great stage to play. I really hope the show gets rescheduled. Venues like that are awesome. We were definitely hoping for more festivals this summer but that’s just not happening,” she said.
“We were actually going to travel to Iowa on Memorial Day weekend to play a couple of casinos out there. That would have been the first away shows for us. There also were a couple of local things in the works but everything got canceled.”
Sparks Fly, who have only performed three gigs so far, debuted in July at the third annual Potter’s Fest at Potter’s Place and Two-Nine Martini Lounge in Naperville and played two winter gigs at Firewater Saloon in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community.
With live gigs canceled for now, Sparks Fly have kept their tribute to country and pop star Taylor Swift going by recording a quarantine video for “All Too Well,” one of their fans’ most-requested Swift songs.
Released in May on Sparks Fly’s Facebook page, the video features Masokas and her bandmates, several of whom are from the Chicago suburbs. Justin Sattazahn of Aurora is on acoustic guitar, Tom Kidera of Schaumburg is on drums, Dominic Polo of Naperville is on electric guitar, and Kathleen Riordan of Lockport is on backup vocals. Dan Kristan plays bass guitar.
“It was really cool. We’d never done it this way. There’s six members and we each recorded a part in our own homes on our instrument or doing our vocals. We were able to release that and it actually turned out good,” said Masokas about the video put together and edited by Will Fedanzo Videography.
“‘All Too Well’ is a deeper cut. It was never on the radio. I think it really resonates with people because it’s a really well-written song.”
Masokas, who is also lead vocalist of modern country band Summer Son with several of her Sparks Fly bandmates, said the best way people can support Sparks Fly is by following their Facebook page.
“Social media’s the biggest platform for us for the time being,” she said.
“I’ve been able to practice a lot, which is great because it’s a lot of music to get down for two-hour sets. We are not trying to imitate her. I’m not trying to look like her or sound like her. We are simply just getting the music out there for people who love to listen to it and enjoy it as much as we do.”
More Top Picks Best Mens Work Boots For Standing All Day
Sparks Fly — The Taylor Swift Experience’s Facebook page is at facebook.com/swiftsparksfly.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.