"In My Mind" CD Release Party.

     Hiya! This past week I had a CD release party for my new EP "In My Mind". I was so excited to finally get to celebrate several months of hard work with so many people who have supported me through it. When a CD release party was first suggested to me, I wasn't crazy about the idea. Mostly, because I'm the type of person who always worries that no one will show up. That's one of the main reasons I don't have birthday parties either; go on and call me insane. I'm so happy I did have a party though, despite my weird fear, because so many people showed up to support me. So. Many. People. We ended up having to open some doors in Bean town so everyone could fit in the room. You could say I was a little overwhelmed by all the love I had in that room. I know several people on Facebook told me they couldn't make it because of their jobs or family obligations, so I wanted to share a few pictures for anyone who get didn't come.

(My Acoustic band and I played a set)

(I'm not 100% sure who the courtesy of this picture is but THANK YOU!)

(One angle of the crowd.)

(Photo courtesy of Jan Jenson. Just another angle of the crowd. That isn't even half of it.)

(My Band. Left to right: Paul Graham, Gabe Nicholson, Myself, and Brandon Almond.)

(We had an unplanned karaoke after party. Brandon's son Silas was awesome!)

     All in all it was a wonderful night. I'm super blessed to know so many amazing people. I still can't get over how many showed up. We also had a camera man who came to film some stuff for a special they're doing on me for Carolina Camera! Yep, that's right CAROLINA CAMERA! It's going to air sometime in March or April. I'll let you all know. Again, thank you to anyone who came out. I really do appreciate it. Like I said during my thank you's Monday night, if I could name every single person who has helped me in more ways than one it would take all year. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! I love you all so much. 

xxC

2014!!!

     Hello there! I'm a whole week late with this blog post. Ironically, that's one thing I'm going to try to be better at this year. Wow, it's hard to believe it's 2014 isn't it? We all make new year resolutions. Most of the time we don't keep them for more than two weeks but at least it's a start. I'd like to think a new year is a new start for everyone. During Christmas break I found one of my old sketch pads in my closet. At the beginning of last year I decided I would make a goal list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2013. I had totally forgotten all about it. When I started looking at some of the goals I had written I was truly surprised by how many of them I had actually done within the year. Considering I'm the type of person who dreams big, a lot of the goals were crazy. But that's the thing about a whole year, stuff that seems impossible can actually happen.

     For example, see number 1? Open for a big name artist. I checked that off my list in the first month of 2013. I got the chance to open for Edwin McCain. Not to mention it also helped me check off Meet someone famous. He wasn't the only famous person I got to meet either. I also got to talk to one of my songwriting heroes. Passenger. I got to tell Mike Rosenberg that he was a big inspiration to me and in return he gave me one of the biggest hugs I've ever received from a person. If you had told me that would happen last new years I would have thought you were lying.

(Meeting Edwin McCain!)

(Seeing Passenger!! Best night ever.)

     Another thing I crossed off my list pretty early in the year was Perform in Arenas & Stadiums. I performed the National Anthem at four 'Monster Jam' shows and played several sets at two meet & greet pit parties in both Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, and the PNC Arena in Raleigh. Not to mention I also performed the National Anthem at the Charlotte Knights Baseball Stadium. Not exactly the kind of stadium I was talking about but it still counts. That was definitely something I thought I wouldn't get to do even when I wrote it on my list. Singing in an arena is one of my new favorite things.

    I never did get to visit L.A. or tour five different states, but I did Perform in a different country. Three different countries actually. Last spring I went on a trip to Ireland, Scotland, and England. I was lucky enough to get to play at a pub in Dublin, courtesy of a very nice guy who let me play a couple songs on his guitar. I ended up playing the piano and singing at our hotel bar in Scotland (that one was very interesting...) and I busked on the side of the street in York, England. Some of my best memories of 2013 are on that trip. I definitely want to go back and play some places in Europe. That's going on my 2014 goal list.

(Singing at Foleys Pub in Dublin, Ireland)

(Me and my dad on Hadrian's Wall in England)

     Be on another talk show was crossed off in November when I was on WCCB News Rising. That same TV station interviewed Ian Somerhalder a few weeks before I was on (that's just how big of a deal it was). Get my full song played mainstream happened thanks to Divakar on 106.5 The END. 

     There's still a few things that I didn't finish on my list, but looking back I've accomplished so much. I've gotten the chance to do so many things I didn't think were possible this past year plus some things I didn't even imagine getting to do. I guess I just wanted to share with you all how many crazy good things can happen to you in one year. It's okay to make goals and resolutions that seem impossible. The point isn't getting them all done, it's having hope and aspiring to be something great. Who knows? They might actually come true if you work hard. 

     I know a lot of you have had ups and downs this past year. The end of 2013 was a little rough for me because I lost someone very important to me. My cousin Mike died of cancer December 9th. It's been bittersweet to look back at all these amazing things that happened this past year because he was always right there when they happened. He's supported me from my very first youtube video and performance right down the watching me on TV for the Thanksgiving day parade. No matter what happened in 2013, make sure you do something great in 2014. Good things and bad things will happen. Just be grateful you have a whole other year to make a difference. 

     Thank you for all the amazing support in 2013. I'm looking forward to so many great things in this new year. I have been blessed beyond words. I love you with all my heart!   

xx C


P.S. You'll have to wait till the next new year to see my 2014 goal list! :)


Maybe it's not my weekend but it's gonna be my year - All Time Low

My Thanksgiving Week....

     Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate until you felt like you could die. I wish I could say I did. I actually ended up sleeping through dinner after I was in the Novant Health Parade. Somehow, I ended up getting one of the worst cold/viruses ever. On the plus side, my performance in the parade went amazing! I was on the cornucopia float, which was beautiful, and I had so much fun waving at everyone. My interview the day before on WCCB News Rising went great too! Everyone at WCCB Studio was so friendly and welcoming. It's been pretty busy these past few days so here are some pictures...

*In the Green Room at WCCB. Ian Somerhalder was watching over me. (LOVE ME SOME TVD)*

*Behind the scenes of my interview with Tera WCCB News Rising*

*Here's an awesome edit someone made me on Facebook!*

*A beautiful shot my friend Krista took while watching the Parade at home. (Thanks Krista!)*

*It was freezing cold so here I am all bundled up getting ready to sing.*

     I've got some more exciting news to share with you guys. After months of working on my new EP 'In My Mind', it is finally out on iTunes! *Insert Scream!!* The physical copy isn't available yet but you will be able to purchase it online soon! It would make a great Christmas gift if I do say so myself! Also you should be able to listen to it on Spotify now. I hope you guys will go buy it and let me know what you think! I'll make it super easy for you and add a link at the bottom. Please share with everyone you know! I love you all so much and the support you guys have sent me this week is mind blowing. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! 

'In My Mind' iTunes Link!

Love xx Carson

Shows of Years Past

     Hello everyone! I know it's been a while since I've blogged. The past couple of weeks have been super busy. I've been putting the final touches on my new EP and getting ready for different shows. This past weekend I had my annual show at the local BBQ. It was my fourth year in a row doing it. They always have the BBQ the first weekend in November every year. It's crazy to think that just four years ago I had my first show outside of church. It seems like just last week I was learning songs for my first set ever. The best part about having this show every year, is I get to see how much I've grown since the last time. What better way to celebrate four years then to look back on all the shows I've had so far. 

1st Year! (2010)

     Here we have a 11 year old version of myself. Braces and all. Anyone who was at that particular show will tell you that it was freezing cold and it even snowed a little. I remember being so nervous and halfway through the set I couldn't feel my fingers. It didn't help that I had a cold a week before (which seems to happen every year). Any performer will tell you that it's really hard to sing in front of people who know you. Since I was singing in my hometown I knew every single person who came to listen. One thing I've learned over the years is to quit worrying what other people think. Looking back, I have so many people who love me and come to support me, and those are the ones I should focus on. So, thank you to everyone who came out on that freezing cold November 6th. The first thing I said walking off that stage was "I want to do it again." And thus, I had caught the performing bug…

2nd Year (2011)

     The next year I had already had 12 months worth of playing shows and learning new stuff. I had already recorded half of my 'Country Sky' EP with Brad Smith the past spring, so I was starting to get more comfortable with everything. I actually started to get over my fear of talking to crowds, so I said a few things in between every song. That's a miracle in itself because my first show I barely said anything. I don't have a picture from this show; my mom recorded everything so I could put it on youtube and watch it back. This particular song was pretty popular with everyone who heard it so I thought I'd share it with you. 

3rd Year (2012)

The link to a video of my 3rd show.

     The 3rd year was a really good one for me. I had been on Charlotte Today a month before. That was crazy in itself. By this time all the kids my age had kind of started to get use to my performing. I'm pretty sure now I'm just known as the girl who sings. They all still support me, which I'm really grateful for. I had also learned that no matter what I do, I had a lot of friends who would help me share my music if I asked. That's one thing I love about my hometown. They have always been here for me. I had gotten wayyyy better on my stage performance and I had grown as a songwriter too. Every year I've been getting better.

4th Year (2013)

     This year, I brought my acoustic band with me (Thanks Gabe and David!). One thing I'm super proud of is I'm developing my own style and I did a lot more of my own songs this time around. I think the highlight of this past show was my family. They all came out just to hear me perform. I even have a semi little fan club that includes a bunch of little cousins and some girls from my church. It's funny how I am much more confident with my music. I use to be afraid that someone would think I was being arrogant, or all I wanted was attention, and they would make fun of me. Now, I can get up there and just have fun. Because no matter how many bad shows I might have where I play to 15 people tops, I know that when I come back to play the local BBQ I will always have a loving and supportive audience. Besides, they're the ones who gave me my start. I owe a lot to them.

     So, I hope you all have enjoyed looking back at my past. I've grown a lot with my music and as a person. I would definitely be nowhere without all the lovely people I call family and friends. God has truly blessed me. Also, I'm proud to announce I will be playing at the Novant Parade in Charlotte this Thanksgiving! It will be televised! I can't decide if I'm excited or completely terrified. Maybe a little bit of both. I love you guys so much! Thanks for reading!

xx Carson

Tosco Music Party!

     Hello everybody! I would first off like to say I am extremely sorry I haven't posted since last September. This past year has been so crazy and hectic I haven't had much time to collect my thoughts on here. To be quite honest, I was mad at myself when I saw that it has been almost a whole year. I promise to get better about it.

     What better way to start back up this year than to share pictures of my most recent show. This past Saturday I performed a song at Tosco's Music Party. If you haven't heard of it, it is a big show in Charlotte, NC that showcases all different types of music. From classical guitarist, to bluegrass, gospel, and many more. If you've never been to one of these I thought it would be fun to bring it to you!

Pre-show hanging out 

My band and I ran over my song a couple of times. As you can see I'm also wearing my Grandpas old flannel shirt so I wouldn't get anything on my outfit before singing (which I have learned the hard way plenty of times).

My point of view half the time    

This here is Ethel. She is the pretty one in our band. 

As of recently, I've been doing more shows with my acoustic band. I've definitely found my own music style. These two guys have been so much fun to work with. They both do it for the love of music. It doesn't matter if we get paid. If they're available, I know I can count on them. (From left to right. Me, Gabriel Nicholson, and David Hearne)

Here, we have me and my managers! I'm really happy to be working with them. (From left to right. Walt Stewart, Me, and Roger Cullis)

Right before I go on stage, I normally go through several different emotions. As you can see from the look on my face, I was currently going through the 'Oh Goodness We're Next Someone Get Me A Paper Bag' emotion.

Last minute instructions on where to go

Getting James Taylor ready to go

(That's the name of my guitar) You'd be surprised how many times I've started something in the wrong key.

This isn't even half of the people who were in the audience. One of my favorite things is looking out into a crowd. (Photo taken by Phillip Carias) 

After I got done performing, I was heading to my signing table when I saw this. One of my favorite things about living where I do is that it's near Charlotte. Just like every city, it has it's flaws but there is nothing like being there in the evening.

One of my favorite parts about Saturday night, was the fact that I got my own signing table. I love meeting new people and getting to talk to them about my music. 

I had several people ask me what inspired me to write the songs on my EP. I don't normally get asked that question, so I was really happy someone took interest in it. I've always liked to hear other artists tell stories behind how their songs were written, so knowing that someone wanted to know mine was amazing. So many people stopped and bought my Country Sky EP, and I just wanted to say a quick thank you to anyone who did.

As you can see, by the end of the night, I had my flannel back on. Meeting everyone was fun, but a lot of people don't realize what goes on behind the scenes. From getting ready to go on stage, to being one of the last people to leave after you pack up all you're stuff, a show is a lot of work. If it hadn't been for my mom and dad, I don't know what I would have done. All in all, it was a wonderful night. I hope you guys have enjoyed just a little piece of my Saturday night. 

     The best part about not having blogged in almost a year, is the fact that I've gotten a chance to find myself more. I've figured out what style fits me best, and I've grown up a little. I'm working on a new EP that should be out late October or early November, which I'm super excited about. My music has evolved a lot over time, but more on that later. I hope you all are doing well! 

xx Carson