It was playing lead guitar with the Wilson Brothers. He went on to perform with groups like Redwing, Unlimited Tradition, and Dave Evans & Riverbend.

In 1999, Sparks, working under the Doobie Shea Records label, decided to try a solo career. His first offering on this undertaking is a full-length self-titled album that has received great reviews. Some of the high-quality traditional bluegrass tracks fans will find on this first album are "In My Arms Instead of in My Memory," "Working on a Mansion," "Midnight Storm," and "Thank You Lord." Sparks had some talented backup on these tunes, including Craig Smith on banjo, Barry Bales on bass, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle, Time Austin on guitar, and Dan Tyminski on mandolin. ~ Charlotte Dillon