Life & Work with Cort Carpenter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cort Carpenter. 

Hi Cort, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I excelled in 3 sports (football, basketball, and baseball) from a young age. I was fortunate enough to be recognized as an elite player and ended up playing division-1 baseball for the University of Portland. Before then, out of high school, I was offered several scholarships but ended up walking on at Oregon State University. At the time, the OSU program was thriving and it was an exciting place to go play. After a semester at OSU, I decided it wasn’t for me, and I ended up heading back home to play at Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA. This program was a powerhouse junior college program and right in my hometown. I did very well at LCC, but after my two years were up, I got a scholarship from the University of Portland where I finished my college baseball career. 

After my senior season, I was un-drafted in the MLB Draft but was invited to a couple MLB Free Agent Camps where I would hope to show my skills at. Between finishing my baseball career and working out at these camps, I was in a minor car accident which was enough to throw my career in baseball down the tube. My back injury was minor, but enough to limit what I did best, which was swinging a bat. 

It was at that time where I was in the midst of finding my first job after college. Job interviews came and went, but nothing stuck. I had started singing at Karaoke bars and in local competitions my senior year of college, but never gave it a second thought. With no jobs lining up just yet, I found myself singing for fun back home and just loved it. It was something to do with friends at the time. One night, I had a woman approach me and ask if I wanted to start a band, she would manage it. I laughed but thought it would be fun to try. From there, it quickly started to blow up for me. 

Not even a few months in, I went to Vegas with a buddy for some fun. Ended up meeting a girl. We dated long distance for about 6 months and then I decided I wanted to move to California to be with her. I was there about a year, then we decided to pick up and move to Nashville. Now almost 10 years later, we have been married for 7 and just welcomed our first child. Our baby boy, Lux, was born in June. I have been touring out of Nashville for the past 9 years and playing about 100-150 shows a year. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a hard road for sure. Smooth, well, not always. Being an independent artist in Nashville looking for a record deal is challenging. For me, I feel it has been extra challenging because of how I went about my first 9 years in Nashville. I was on the road a lot, and when in town, grinding in the honkytonks in Nashville. 

At this time, I feel my music and brand are very strong, but I just haven’t had the right person walk into the room yet to hear me. Networking has just been a challenge for me at times. But over the years I have got better at it and have made more connections which have helped me progress upwards. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a country music Artist (singer/songwriter) in Nashville TN. 

I’m known for my music releases which can be found on every streaming platform, and also my live concert performances. 

I’m most proud of the opportunities I have created for myself as an unsigned artist here in Nashville. It’s rare to get on the main stage at the country’s biggest festivals, but I have done so by not giving up, getting creative, and also, proving my worth to country music fans worldwide. They are a big part of these opportunities I have been given as well. Their participation in getting my name around, buying my merch, attending shows, and spreading the word on social media. I’m very proud of what I have accomplished as an unsigned artist. 

I have played the main stage at Rock The South (2 different years), Oregon Jamboree (2 years), Country Thunder, and have was even featured on the Next from Nashville stage at Live Nation’s Watershed Music Festival in 2019. I have played nearly 1000 shows since I have been in Nashville. 

I think what sets me apart from others is my live show, the quality of my music, and just me as a person. I feel my fans are the most important thing to my entire career, so I try to connect personally to anyone who reaches out, whereas some artists don’t interact at all. Sometimes I have to toe a fine line when fans get too clingy with my social interaction with fans, but I feel they like my music because I go the extra mile to make everyone feel heard/seen. They deserve that, as they are the ones buying my music and following my career. 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Defining success is different for everyone. Personally, I feel I have been successful because of what I have accomplished without the help of a label. I have been fortunate enough to build a brand that is strong and recognizable with country music fans. I feel success is hard to define because as an artist, I always want more. I want to get to the next tier. So, for me, I do feel I have been very successful, but still have a ways to go to fulfill the dreams I set out to grab. 

Contact Info:

• Email: bookingccc@hotmail.com
• Website: www.cortcarpenter.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cortcarpenterofficial
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cortccarpenter
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cortcarpenter
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/cortcalebcarpenter

Image Credits
Jon Currier
Nathan Rocky
Kelly Carpenter