Vanessa Carlton may have been encouraged to play piano by her mother and may have found a love for classic rock groups like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd from her father, but the singer/songwriter started out on the path to be a dancer. Carlton went to the School of American Ballet and the Professional Children’s School in New York during high school.

It was not until graduation that Vanessa decided to become a professional musician. Her schedule was full with college at Columbia University, working as a waitress, and singing wherever she could before she would be selling tickets or albums.

After meeting a producer through a circle of singer/songwriter friends she recorded a demo. The demo landed a deal with A&R Records. Vanessa Carlton was struck by the lack of direction that had for her as a new artist. It was not until the single “A Thousand Miles” reached company President Ron Fair that she started an album.

Be Not Nobody was released in 2002 and made its way onto the radio with “A Thousand Miles” and the several piano pop-songs that followed. The platinum selling took her from an opening act for groups like Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind to a headlining act, selling tickets throughout the world.

Carlton received less support from the record company as her second album, Harmonium (2004), because of its darker direction. This prompted her to leave the label after poor record sales and more promotional demands on her by the label.

With her new label, The Inc. Records, Vanessa Carlton released her third album, Heroes & Thieves (2007). The album was well received and continued to maintain her popularity with her fan base. She is touring again to promote the album in the summer of 2008 with 23 concert dates around the country.

The Seats will have Vanessa Carlton to her shows all summer long as she brings her piano and her touching lyrics to the stage. For the cheapest seats and a great inventory visit the site and find a show near you on the tour schedule.