Her first demo tape led to a contract and a first album, Close Your Eyes.

NPR: Stacey Kent: 'The Boy Next Door'

There, she met producers Norro Wilson and David Malloy, who helped her produce a demo tape.

BBC: Obituary: Mindy McCready

On Feb. 11, 1992, I handed Reid what has come to be known in some circles as The Worst Demo Tape Ever.

NPR: Living Colour: Getting 'Behind The Sun'

Giles Martin said that for him, the project all started with a demo tape he put together, adding percussion to Here Comes the Sun and I Am the Walrus.

NPR: Something in the Way You Remix

Mr. Greenberg, who also helped launch such dewy talents as Hanson and the Jonas Brothers, says Ms. Stone was so inexperienced she arrived without a demo tape of material.

WSJ: Joss Stone: A British Soul Session Revived

That led to four years with the station in question before making a new year's resolution for the new millennium to try out everything she had learned on a bigger scale - and she moved to the UK in 2000 armed with two suitcases and a demo tape.

BBC: Presenter Profile: Jo Thoenes