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'''Dave Carter''' (], ]-], ]) was an ] ] singer and songwriter who self-described his style as "] mythic American folk music." He was one half of the duo ]. | '''Dave Carter''' (], ]-], ]) was an ] ] singer and songwriter who self-described his style as "] mythic American folk music." He was one half of the duo ]. | ||
Born in ], ], the son of a ] father and an ] mother, Carter was raised in ] and ] and would draw on his rural upbringing in many of his songs. He studied ] ] from age 4 to about age 12, when he took up ]. At 17, he left home to ] around the country, especially the ] (] area). After graduating with degrees in music (]) and fine arts from the ], he moved to ], ], where he continued his education at ], earning a degree in mathematics. He began an advanced degree in mathematics, spent time at the ] Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and the ], and worked as an ] programmer for several years before taking up music full-time in the mid-1990s. Carter was greatly influenced by ] ], who visited his college, and American mystic ]. He was also influenced by the American landscape, ], the environment, and transcendental psychology. | Born in ], ], the son of a ] father and an ] mother, Carter was raised in ] and ] and would draw on his rural upbringing in many of his songs. He studied ] ] from age 4 to about age 12, when he took up ]. At 17, he left home to ] around the country, especially the ] (] area). After graduating with degrees in music (]) and fine arts from the ], he moved to ], ], where he continued his education at ], earning a degree in mathematics. He began an advanced degree in mathematics, spent time at the ] Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and the ], and worked as an ] programmer for several years before taking up music full-time in the mid-1990s. Carter was greatly influenced by ] ], who visited his college, and American mystic ]. He was also influenced by the American landscape, ], the environment, and transcendental psychology. | ||
Dave Carter met Tracy Grammer in 1996, and by the end of the year they were collaborating musically. The collaboration developed into both a professional and romantic relationship that continued through Carter's pursuit of a gender change in the last months of life, and they referred to themselves as 'partners in all things' as late as their last interview, conducted a few days prior to Carter's death. | |||
In 1995, before his association with Grammer began, Carter released a solo album, "Snake Handlin' Man". He made three albums with Grammer: ] (1998); ] (2000); and ] (2001). Prior to Carter's death, the duo re-recorded the songs from "Snake Handlin' Man," plus two previously unrecorded songs. The CD, called "Seven is the Number," was released in 2006. | In 1995, before his association with Grammer began, Carter released a solo album, "Snake Handlin' Man". He made three albums with Grammer: ] (1998); ] (2000); and ] (2001). Prior to Carter's death, the duo re-recorded the songs from "Snake Handlin' Man," plus two previously unrecorded songs. The CD, called "Seven is the Number," was released in 2006. | ||
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==Influence== | ==Influence== | ||
Dave Carter's songs have been covered by many others, perhaps most notably by ] ("The Mountain") and by ] ("Cowboy Singer") and Chris Smither ("Crocodile Man"). Tributes to him following his death were written by Tracy Grammer and ], among others. | Dave Carter's songs have been covered by many others, perhaps most notably by ] ("The Mountain") and by ] ("Cowboy Singer") and Chris Smither ("Crocodile Man"). Tributes to him following his death were written by Tracy Grammer and ], among others. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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Revision as of 13:39, 14 September 2006
Dave Carter (August 13, 1952-July 19, 2002) was an American folk singer and songwriter who self-described his style as "post-modern mythic American folk music." He was one half of the duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.
Born in Oxnard, California, the son of a mathematician father and an evangelical mother, Carter was raised in Oklahoma and Texas and would draw on his rural upbringing in many of his songs. He studied classical piano from age 4 to about age 12, when he took up guitar. At 17, he left home to hitchhike around the country, especially the Midwestern United States (Great Plains area). After graduating with degrees in music (cello) and fine arts from the University of Oklahoma, he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he continued his education at Portland State University, earning a degree in mathematics. He began an advanced degree in mathematics, spent time at the Berkeley Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and the California Institute of Integral Studies, and worked as an embedded systems programmer for several years before taking up music full-time in the mid-1990s. Carter was greatly influenced by mythologist Joseph Campbell, who visited his college, and American mystic Carlos Castaneda. He was also influenced by the American landscape, Arthurian mythology, the environment, and transcendental psychology.
Dave Carter met Tracy Grammer in 1996, and by the end of the year they were collaborating musically. The collaboration developed into both a professional and romantic relationship that continued through Carter's pursuit of a gender change in the last months of life, and they referred to themselves as 'partners in all things' as late as their last interview, conducted a few days prior to Carter's death.
In 1995, before his association with Grammer began, Carter released a solo album, "Snake Handlin' Man". He made three albums with Grammer: When I Go (1998); Tanglewood Tree (2000); and Drum Hat Buddha (2001). Prior to Carter's death, the duo re-recorded the songs from "Snake Handlin' Man," plus two previously unrecorded songs. The CD, called "Seven is the Number," was released in 2006.
Carter died in his hotel room of a massive heart attack in Hadley, Massachusetts, while on tour. He was 49.
Influence
Dave Carter's songs have been covered by many others, perhaps most notably by Joan Baez ("The Mountain") and by Lucy Kaplansky ("Cowboy Singer") and Chris Smither ("Crocodile Man"). Tributes to him following his death were written by Tracy Grammer and Richard Shindell, among others.
One song, "Gentle Arms of Eden", was added to the hymnal in at least one Unitarian Universalist congregation, and also serves as the theme to a documentary on the rebuilding of New York City after 9/11. More of his songs were recorded by Tracy Grammer on her 2005 album Flower of Avalon.
Similar artists include Darryl Purpose and Richard Shindell. He has also been compared with Townes Van Zandt and Bob Dylan.
External links
- Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer's Official web site
- Music Matters Review on Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
- WJFF Public Radio Interview with Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Aired November 20, 1999