Victoria Acosta 'Once Upon a Time' album

Victoria Acosta, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from San Antonio, Texas, recently completed the music video for her first single, The World's Gone Crazy a fun, funky and dance-driven pop song that is already getting the attention of some of the country's most powerful radio programming executives. Her July 5, 2005 debut CD Once Upon A Time is filled with hard-charging Pop anthems seasoned with Hip Hop and R&B instrumentation that showcase the big voice of this little girl from the Lone Star State.

An A/B Honor Roll student, loving daughter and big sister, Victoria is like most creative kids her age. She loves to draw, writes fiction and poetry and has a voracious appetite for reading.

But Victoria also has a one-of-a-kind singing voice. Noting their daughter's love of the stage and singing, Ruben and Josie Acosta encouraged her to develop her talent. At age 6, Victoria was enrolled in a mariachi music school on San Antonio's West Side.

Soon, she was performing with mariachi groups at small parties and in public at the San Antonio Zoo or on the San Antonio River Walk, one of Texas' most popular tourist destinations. Audiences couldn't help but take notice of the petite schoolgirl with beautiful eyes and a surprisingly mature, soaring singing voice.

In 2000, Victoria was selected from among hundreds of young singers, including college music majors, to earn the title of Best Mariachi Music Vocalist in the United States at the Ford and Lincoln Mercury Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. She was 8.

The next night, Victoria sang for a sold-out crowd as the opening act for Mariachi Vargas de TecalitlÃ¡n. Invitations soon came to perform at national conventions and special events in Chicago, San Antonio, Houston, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley, including at the San Antonio Spurs pre-game show and twice before Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Victoria also continued to work on mastering her singing ability, studying voice with Latin Grammy nominee Manual Vargas and with Irma Navarro, a San Antonio opera singer. These instructors soon discovered what her academic teachers had known for some time that Victoria's success and achievements are driven by a passion for learning, improving and perfecting her skills in singing or whatever she sets her mind on.

In May 2004, Victoria's parents agreed to sign her to Covert Entertainment. Covert's CEO had seen Victoria perform in San Antonio two years earlier, and had stayed in touch with the Acosta family in the hopes of launching the gifted young girl's career.

Soon after, Victoria embarked on the first of five rigorous recording sessions. Within a few short months, she had completed laying down vocal tracks for Once Upon A Time, a compilation of very radio and club friendly, danceable, high-energy Pop tunes coupled with several inspirational, thought-provoking and gentle ballads, done with a style and sound that is uniquely Victoria Acosta.

With the release of Once Upon A Time, Victoria will be the youngest formally trained Mariachi singer to debut as a pop artist.

Victoria has been making regular live appearances via Radio Disney and other event organizers.

Sony by song

The World's Gone Crazy

Former Prince keyboardist Tommy Barbarella wrote the music for Victoria's first single, a driving dance number that bursts with energy from the opening bars. Jeff Durand provided the lyrics to this pointed commentary on current events.

Once Upon A Time

A classic slow dance ballad, the title track for Victoria's debut CD is a poignant story of love-weary heartbreak and survival. Victoria displays her gifted ability to get in touch with the storyteller's emotions and convey them to the audience in a way that touches the soul. Music from Ben Obi, with lyrics by Jeff Durand and Katie Bjorn.

Nothing Like A Friend

A mid-tempo celebration of friendship and the importance of having people you can count on in your life. The songwriting duo of Brian Thomas and Troy Harrington wrote it with a young singer in mind, and Victoria fully explored the warm and appreciative aspects of the piece.

I'm Sorry

Victoria tells the story of a young San Antonio teen-ager determined to run off with the love of her life ... only to call her parents years later as a single mom, asking if she can come back home. A thumping, driving hip-hop sound provides the backdrop to a stirring emotional chorus and a delightfully shocking final verse. Lyrics by Jeff Durand. Music and production by Jeff Durand and Kwame Marriott.

When I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Victoria continues to amaze listeners with her ability to step into any musical style and own it. Here, Victoria takes on the guise of a lead gospel singer in an inspirational song of praise and gratitude for friends, family and the gift of music. Written and produced by Jeff Durand, Victoria's own spiritual foundation lends this song a special strength and depth of character.

Could This Be Love

Anyone who watched the popular 1990\'s teen drama "My So-Called Life" can relate to this gentle lullaby that delves into the awkward and exciting introspective examination of a girl's first love. Victoria reveals a vulnerability and sensitivity that is sure to earn her a legion of fans. Written and produced by Jeff Durand.

Not This Time

An anthem to female empowerment that could rival the Gloria Gaynor classic "I Will Survive." A fast-paced, radio-friendly song that finds Victoria laying into a "wannabe playa" boyfriend for thinking he could fool her, and telling him she's cutting him loose. Sure to bring girls (and women) everywhere to their feet in applause and cheers. Written by Renee Rodriguez and Ben Obi.

Move Your Thang

Get on the dance floor and get ready to Move Your Thang! Appropriate for the club, the homecoming dance or a party at Mom and Dad's house, Move Your Thang booms with reverberating bass beats in a sonic blast of sound and rhythmic release. Written by Julie Kane and Ben Obi.

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Victoria Acosta - Once Upon a Time