On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, Suite101 had the pleasure to speak with beloved country singer-songwriter Deana Carter. She opens up about her 2011 CMA nomination for “Song of the Year,” her proudest accomplishments, future plans, and talks about the University Kidney Research Organization.
Deana Carter Talks About Country Music
On country music, Deana Carter remarks, “it’s a little bit gospel and a little bit folk. It encompasses a few genres of music blended in. It really talks about life on a very real level, in a respectable way. The songs that are really heartfelt are important such as I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack and The Dance by Garth Brooks. These songs really touch the heartstrings.”
Deana Carter Talks About Matraca Berg and Their 2011 CMA Nominations
Acclaimed songwriters Matraca Berg and Deana Carter are both nominated for “Song of the Year” at the 2011 Country Music Association (CMA) awards for co-writing Kenny Chesney’s hit single You and Tequila.
On garnering a prestigious CMA nomination, Carter exclaims, “it is so awesome! I cannot wait to be there. I haven’t been to the CMA awards in a very long time.”
“Matraca wrote the first single that I ever had out, Strawberry Wine, and I was a fan of hers before I ever had a record deal. We actually went to the same high school for a brief period of time. She is such an amazing songwriter and a great artist in her own right. To have this song with her is amazing, because my career began with her. I really appreciate her writing and her contribution to that. That song is monumental because of Matraca. I love her style and she’s just fantastic,” Carter acknowledges.
“Having a successful song with her on the radio again is just so cool, and a blessing,” she adds.
Carter Reveals Her Favorite Recording
When asked about her personal favorite song that she has recorded, Carter reveals that it was her rendition of the Bruce Springsteen classic State Trooper.
Carter Discusses Her Proudest Career Accomplishments
Throughout her career in country, Carter notes that she had three #1 songs on the Billboard Country Charts, was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Female Country Vocal Performance” for Strawberry Wine, and her album Did I Shave My Legs for This was certified quintuple platinum.
“In the midst of all that, a standout moment for me was when I got to present Bruce Springsteen his Grammy for Best Contemporay Folk Album for The Ghost of Tom Joad. Bruce was such a gentleman to me backstage and off-stage. It was huge for me to hand him that trophy, because I was such a fan of his in high school,” she adds.
Carter Shares Her Future Plans
“I’m making a record now that I am doing under the radar. I have so many new songs since I have been writing so much. I finished doing a record for another artist in Los Angeles. I am so excited since people are hiring me to produce their songs. In all honesty, that is my passion: to produce in the studio. I love it,” Carter says.
Carter Talks About Her Dream Collaboration Choices
Carter notes that she would love to work with Sheryl Crow someday. “I think she and I are very similar, and we could make a rock-star killer record together. Obviously, I would love to work with Dolly Parton again for a whole album. I would like to co-write and produce a whole Keith Urban record for sure,” she says with a laugh.
Carter Talks About the University Kidney Research Organization
Carter is on the Board of Directors of the University Kidney Research Organization, which is dedicated towards finding a cure for kidney disease.
“My dad had suffered kidney failure and problems, and I just wanted to participate as much as I could to bring awareness to that, and try to have people to sign their donor cards on their driver’s licenses, and to participate to be an organ donor. Somebody in Chicago that we never got to meet and never got to know, did that for our family. They gave our family life and we appreciate that so much!” Carter shares.
Carter Gives Advice to Aspiring Musicians
For aspiring singer-songwriters that wish to go into country music, Carter states, “the biggest pet peeve that I have is when people are trying to be more country than they are, or when they are trying to fit into a genre by changing their voice. In country music, you need to be authentic. If you are from a different part of the world and you want to be in country music, then remain true to who you are.”
“Life is up and down, and you just have to be focused. You need to keep your eye on the prize and keep the faith, and keep doing the right thing,” she adds.
Carter Defines Success
For Deana Carter, success means “God taking care of my basic needs every day. That is success to me. When I have a full tank of gas, and I have food in my fridge, and a nice place to lay my head at night, I am so grateful.”
Carter Thanks Her Fans
For her dedicated fan-base, Carter concludes with “thank you and keep the faith.”
For more information on country songstress Deana Carter, please visit her official website.
Source
- Telephone Communication with Deana Carter. October 4, 2011.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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