Caroline

Bio:

Independent to the bone with seven CDs, and with a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Folk CD in 2006, Caroline Aiken has performed numerous times to benefit thousands of causes, and has played thousands of shows in her 40-plus years of touring at home and abroad. Writing, producing shows, festivals, theaters, and series, Caroline has also served 12 years as Entertainment Director for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

Caroline has recorded with and shared stages with The Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt, and has been a guest performer at major venues with them such as San Antonio’s Majestic Theater, Denver’s Red Rocks, and Berkeley’s Greek Theater. Caroline has headlined at the Kerrville, Texas Music Festival (Main Stage since ’95), Seattle’s Bumbershoot (since ’96), Folk Life Festival (since ’76), NY’s Falcon Ridge, and Northern California’s High Sierra Music Festival.

Course description: Caroline’s class, How to Enjoy the Time on the Stage, teaches how to be an independent artist, a booking agent, a manager, a record label, and how to read the fine print, as well as song writing, and guitar-percussive finger style.

Caroline’s finger picking style won an invitation to the Stuttgart Germany Guitar Seminar in May 2006 and 2007.

Atlanta Magazine calls Caroline the "BEST ACOUSTIC ARTIST" (June 2003 GA MUSIC pictorial feature) and includes her full page picture next to Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight, The Black Crowes, the Indigo Girls, India.Arie, and many more.

Atlanta's Piedmont Review Magazine features Caroline with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland on the cover in 2003.

Blue Suede News says; "Caroline tears her 12 string a whole new consciousness." Caroline's honors include performances opening Mother's Finest and the B52s at the GA Music Hall of Fame, as well as her own shows at the Hall (since 2004), her very own display box in the Atlanta Hard Rock Café's 'Atlanta Rhythm Section' Room (2003). Invited to perform at the Troubadour in LA with Martin Sexton by the National Songwriter's Association in 1998. The CocaCola Awards nominated Caroline as the best acoustic guitar player/vocalist in Atlanta (1993-1994).

In 2004, Caroline received a prestigious endorsement from Martin Guitars and Strings, and won a 1000 CD manufacturing certificate from Discmakers through CAMPJAM In The Pines/ NJ. Voila -- Are We There Yet Mama? was born. 2004 also saw the completion of a 30,000 mile USA driving tour, crossing the country four times during April through October performing over 150 shows, followed by a five week European tour in November and December.

Caroline’s performances, direct and sincere, are known for emanating a high level of infectious energy, and those that have heard her perform live leave wanting more. Her genre spans many styles, from rock/blues/folk/country to piano ballads to finger style guitar picking--all accompanied by her rich and soulful voice. Caroline is an accomplished and diverse musician, being at home on both guitar and piano. Victory Music in Seattle raved about Caroline’s “sensual voice, expert guitar, [and] masterful songwriting.”

2005 saw the live recording Are We There Yet Mama?, the completion of the 2005 Atlanta Dogwood Festival, a driving tour with many shows and radio play across the USA, headlining the famed Kerrville Folk Festival (headlining since 1995).

Caroline’s career started started on the coast of Georgia with musical influences from Emma Lee Ramsey of the Georgia Sea Island Singers. In 1969, she found herself in NY playing in her first rock band 'Father Time', then touring in California during the early 70's, followed by performing in South America from '73 -'74, to the streets and venues of Seattle in the mid 70's, heading East to Greenwich Village in the early 80's and finally full circle, back to Atlanta. Since 1986, Caroline’s base has been Atlanta, where she has received numerous accolades. She has caught the ears and hearts of everyone who hears her, including Bonnie Raitt. She opened shows for Bonnie in 1985, and Bonnie performed on Caroline's first recording in 1988, Line Of Vision. In 2002 and 2003 Bonnie Raitt introduced Caroline to the Austin and San Antonio scenes.

Caroline has performed and recorded with Bonnie Raitt , Indigo Girls, Moses Mo (Mother’s Finest), Jaimoe (Allman Brothers) and Randall Bramblett. Support: Muddy Waters, Little Feat, Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen, Arlo Guthrie, Randy Newman, Jerry Jeff Walker, John Prine, Janis Ian, 38 Special, Allan Toussaint, Chuck Leavell, Derek Trucks, Richie Havens, Doc and Merle Watson, David Bromberg and Louden Wainwright, III.

Caroline heard the Indigo Girls in 1980 in an alley behind Good Old Days in Atlanta, practicing a CSNY song. When she put a third part harmony on it, they became friends. Caroline invited them on to her stage when the Indigo Girls were 16 to 17 years old, and sang on their first recording (song - Finlandia), touring with them nationally in 1992, 1994, and 1997. In '95, Caroline played four separate roles in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, starring the Indigo Girls.

In addition to her busy tour schedule, Caroline was the Entertainment Director for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival from 1992-1994 and 1996-2005. She brought the Dogwood Music Festival to state-wide and national awareness by booking regional and national acts such as Sugarland, Shawn Mullins, Ellen McIlwaine, Dave Mason, Chuck Leavell, Vassar Clements, B52s' Cindy Wilson, Martha Reeves, Derek Trucks, Mother's Finest, and many Grammy-winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

Caroline is also a talented and gifted teacher and has taught her courses 'Zen And The Art Of Performance'; 'Songwriting In Your Sleep' and 'Guerilla Guitar Works' at many venues, colleges, music stores, festivals, and one on one. She has taught at Summer Songs in California, Swannanoa Gathering in North Carolina, the South Florida Folk Festival, Lamb's Songwriters' Retreat in Michigan, at the Schorndorf Guitar Festival, and most recently at the Pepperland Farm Kids Rock Camp in Murphy, NC.

For booking information, see www.carolineaiken.com.

Most times it is solo performance. When I'm lucky, I team up with a number of great players coast to coast and internationally. Ike Stubblefield(Atlanta, B3 master), DOGHOUSE (a powerfusion-blues-funk-jazz-rock trio in Atlanta); Donna Hopkins and Diane Durrett, Trina Meade and Tomi Martin known as THREE5HUMAN (Southeast and TX performances as WOMEN OF ROCK IN THE ROUND); Edo Castro (Bay Area Bassist, grammy nominated!); Joel Tepp (Seattlite, slide elec/harmonica/clarinet, massive bio); Ben Bouman, Dutch master harmonica builder for the SEYDELL 1847 German harmonica company, and member of the Marbletones, a very fine Dutch blues band; 06 Kerrivlle band: Kenny Edwards (Westcoast, founder/singer/songwriter/guitarist for Stone Ponies, Bryndle) ; Moses Mo (Mother’s Finest/Ride the Wood/Ronda Would guitarist/singer/cowriter); 05 Kerrville band: Jack Wlliams (guitar), RB Blackstone and Bill Ward (both keys), John William Davis (guitar), Freebo(bass) and Jack Harris (guitar, 06 Kerrville contest winner UK); Bill Flemming (pedal steel/guitar) and Stephanie Corby (Vocals);Dave Sutherland (UK guitar/singer/songwriter); Geoff Achison (Austrailian guitarist/singer/songwriter). In years past, Jaimoe (Allman Bros drummer) Bill Pound, Jerry Sorn, Liz Melendez, and so many wonderful musicians who lent me their great interpretations on their masterfully played instruments. I have learned by doing, with people who "do" very well. :)

If I've left anyone out, please send me a love note and forgive me!

Bonnie Raitt, for her good works for so many worthwhile causes, for being a kind and thoughtful friend, and of course, for the great music she creates.

My mom, who I stood next to in choir, and tried to mimmick her incredibly clear and right-on high soprano during the Hallelujah Chorus... and her slow, sultry "the Look Of Love", and "The Lady Is A Tramp" and "My Funny Valentine", "Pussy Willow, Cattails"...she could croon, she could belt, she could sing. Miss her dry wit and discerning advice.

My older brother Harry, for teaching me the first chords on the guitar, and for writing great songs for many years.

The Indigo Girls, for teaching me consistancy in performance, and strength of conviction.

My inspiration is the muse, and I am drawn to people who hear the muse, and who invite it in for a spell. Life. Reality. Honesty. The beach. The mountains. The road.