Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Greer.
Carly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was 4 years old, I sang “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” on stage at the Capital Music Hall in Wheeling, WV. From that moment on, I was hooked. Singing and performing has been a sanctuary for me throughout so many key moments of my life.
A few years ago, I was laid off from a tech job I was working in New York City. That night, I got a call from a producer I had worked with when I was 12 years old asking if I would ever be interested in joining a bluegrass band. I said “Well, I’m not doing anything else at the moment!” I joined the band (Crandall Creek) and was given the opportunity to play shows for every state in the continental U.S. The key ingredient that bluegrass instilled in me was the art of storytelling. The way that a song can be crafted to bring a person or a room to tears is something that is now part of me, hopefully forever.
As a band, we won multiple awards together at the Grand Ole Opry including band of the year, as well as myself being nominated for vocalist and songwriter of the year. I recently decided to make the move to Nashville and head out solo to expand my world of music knowledge. My plan is to use my bluegrass/country roots to write a variety of songs in different genres full of emotion, stories, and heart (with a little bit of slick wit).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
They say the road less traveled makes all the difference, right? Well, I sure hope so! The music industry is everything they said it would be, with all the highs and lows and in-betweens. I think struggling is par for the course. I haven’t met an artist pursuing this career that has had an easy ride. I think that’s what makes it all the more meaningful when lightning strikes. Every day that I get to keep investing in my music career is a blessing. I would rather be living in a box on Main writing music than working from a box in someone else’s corporate office.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of my favorite things to do in music is stacking harmonies. A lot of singers dread doing them in the studio, and I just say “More for me!” I offer my services to anyone that sends a song my way and wants to have me on one of their tunes. You may have even heard me on a few of your favorite tracks! I’ve cut almost a full albums-worth of harmonies for a great singer/songwriter coming up in the industry right now, Marty Falle, as well as gotten to work on a multitude of creative projects for people I love and respect across different genre’s.
What am I most proud of? My mother & I wrote a song called “The Survivor Song” for Relay for Life, a volunteer-led cancer walk hosted by the American Cancer Society. We donated 100% of the proceeds from that song to the charity, and ended up raising over $10,000 for the cause. This was especially important to our family because my mom had just beaten breast cancer (and has been in remission ever since, woo hoo!!!) We will never stop fighting for our sisters & brothers who have or are currently struggling from an illness. And reminder: go get your mammograms!!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing I don’t think anyone knows about me is how many of my songs have been written in graveyards. In my hometown, we have the most beautiful cemetery up on a mountain that overlooks the entire city. I have family there, including my Pawpaw who I loved so dearly. I played every song for him before it got demo’d while he was still with us. So I take my guitar up there and write. It’s the most at peace I’ve ever felt, and maybe I’m crazy, but the writing feels spiritually special when it comes from that spot on the grass.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carlygreermusic.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/carlygreer
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/carlygreermusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa4yJSwGVb76TAF6W44B_cg
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/carlygreermusic
