I travel solo most of the time but when I’m in the NW I always play with my old combo buddies, Tim Ellis and Jim Walker. I also often perform in a "Songwriters In The Round" setting in Nashville and many other cities throughout the country. These provide a unique opportunity to play in different combinations with many amazing songwriters and singers.
Influences
Joni Mitchell, Don McLean, Bill Cosby, J.D. Salinger, The Beatles, Steve Goodman, James Taylor, Glen Gould, Tom Lehrer, Chopin, Karla Bonnoff, Steely Dan, Pete Seeger, Crowded House, Tommy Smith, Cal Scott, Dave Brubeck, my parents, television, alcohol.
Sounds Like
the music you're hearing right now... Unless you've got the sound turned off on your computer... Plus you can find even more songs on itunes or at www.cdbaby.com
......In the last three years alone he’s driven 80,000 miles to play in more than 50 cities in 20 states. When you figure in the airplanes and rental cars, it adds up to a lot of scenery and a lot of songs. ................................................................................................................ For Craig Carothers, the journey, and the songs, began in the Pacific Northwest. Craig’s parents were both music teachers. Around the house, sounds ranged from Brubeck to Mancini; Victor Borgé to Jonathan Winters. Later influences included Motown, Joni Mitchell, Tom Lehrer, and The Beatles. ................................................................................................................. Venues were plentiful around his home in Portland, Oregon, and Craig spent more than 20 years playing almost every night of the week inside a forty-block radius. .................................................................................................................
During that time, he toured with or opened for a wide variety of acts: Mose Allison, Karla Bonnoff, Jonatha Brooke, Rosanne Cash, Bruce Cockburn, Paula Cole, Robert Cray, Catie Curtis, Crash Test Dummies, Donovan, Peter Himmelman, John Hiatt, Leo Kottke, Patty Larkin, Michael McDonald, Dennis Miller, Anne Murray, Danny O'Keefe, Leroy Parnell, Paula Poundstone, Boz Skaggs, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Richard Thompson, Jethro Tull, Romeo Void, Loudon Wainwright III, Tim Weisberg, David Wilcox, Warren Zevon, and many others.
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Things changed in 1995, when country music star Trisha Yearwood recorded Craig’s song “Little Hercules.” He hung a gold record on the wall and started traveling to Nashville on a regular basis. A publishing deal followed, and over the next five years his travels produced new performance opportunities as well. Soon, he was appearing regularly in clubs from Atlanta to San Francisco. In 2000 he made Nashville his home. .................................................................................................................. In recent years Craig’s songs have been recorded by artists including: Kathy Matea, Lorrie Morgan, Sons Of The Desert, Kate Markowitz, Andrea Zonn, Steve Seskin, Berkley Hart, and Peter, Paul and Mary. ................................................................................................................ Quotes:
“ …he excels at creating smart, memorable material and putting it across with abundant personality”
—Birmingham News
“...the right mix of weary-eyed cynicism and helpless hearted romanticism...”
—Performing Songwriter Magazine
“He has a voice that should be famous.”
—Patty Larkin
“Who? Never heard of him.”
—John Prine
................................................................................................................. Craig is now traveling the country in support of his latest CD, “Nothing Fancy.”
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thanks for the add Craig! I've loved your music and followed you since I took classes from good ol Tim Ellis in high school. Looking forward to your show in Portland
Hooray! To go with this greatest hits photo, I found my greatest miss comment -
This avatar's high-techy Hindu Is Craig's best photoshoppery voodoo Though his own hair is cooler He’s the myspace coif ruler With this serpentine hiss-and-hers hairdo...
'Tis a mystery somewhat Matlocky Is this real or a load of horse hockey? How someone bigger and basso Rocks a third-rate Picasso As a cubist guitar-playing jockey
Thanks to you Craig, and welcome.<br /><br />Music flows, as magic on the wind,<br />could be a breeze, could be a hurricane!<br /><br />Have a splendid day,<br />Dennis
Late rhyme 'bout the bookwormy swoon My timing was inopportune 'Cause Craig the contrarian Ditched the dreamboat librarian Now I'm drawn to a c-c-cartoon...
This bookish look acts like a philter For fans Rice, Reedy or Vanderbilter Charming words they may swamp us Off those shelves cattywhompus Here I thought it was Craig twas off-kilter
I played your cd on my trip up to Nashville ... It was great. I had to hit the repeat button on "Go Back Where You Came From" more than one time. It's a fun one!!!
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