Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Carter
Jesse, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved music and dreamed of being a singer ever since I was a little girl. My mother bought me a guitar when I was 13. I did take a few lessons and picked up a few pointers from a cousin, but I am mostly self taught. I started writing my own songs shortly after I learned a few basics chords. John Denver was my inspiration for playing guitar. When I was younger, my dream was to record my own music, I finally achieved that dream with the release of my first CD “Broken”, imagine my surprise when it won the OHIO MUSIC AWARD for Best Adult Contemporary CD. i just released my 2nd CD called The Dark Side of Love. As well as a Christmas Song called Merry Christmas Baby, and my soon to be released single called Tell Me That I’m Beautiful.
I do occasionally play out at venues, but I mostly play at open mics. Two of which I host myself. Tuesday night at Kent Lanes from 7-9, and every other Wednesday 7:30-10 at The Venice both are located in Kent.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I, like many artists, have had my struggles. I went from a home where I lived with my biggest fan (my mom, of course) to a marriage where my husband (now ex) did not support my music at all. Add to that my own lack of self esteem. and you can see that I have definitely had to overcome challenges. Even today I struggle with my self esteem. I would love to play out more, but for me to pick up the phone and book something, is not going to happen. By the time my extroverted self gets my phone out to make a booking, My introverted self will already have talked me out of it before I can dial the number. Let me tell you to have a singer/performers heart, but have no self confidence is a horrible place to be. LOL.
It doesn’t help that I don’t like crowds, I don’t like loud surroundings, I don’t like new things, changes or new places. So every time I do a show (even ones I do on a regular basis) I have to fight my way through a lot of negative thoughts and sometimes even panic attacks. It is a struggle, but I do it because I love the joy music can bring. I do it because I don’t want my poor mental health to rob me of doing something I love. I do it because even though my mind will tell me that I have no talent and I suck-I have a few fans that tell me they love my music and my voice-so I do it for them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a songwriter, I have been writing songs since I was 13 years old. Sometimes a song almost writes itself, sometimes a song takes a little more patience and effort. I do not have a formula for writing. Sometimes I can be in a creative mood and pop out a song in 10 minutes or sometimes a song may take a little more time. I can go months without writing, and then all of a sudden someone will say something, or I will be thinking of something and all of a sudden it has turned into a song. I never know when the inspiration is going to hit, but when it does I am always ready. If I am at work, I will use my phones voice recorder to quickly capture the idea. I have so many unfinished songs on my phone, it would take me a lifetime to finish them all.
I am known for my support of the local talent around town. I host a couple of open mics, and I try to attend the shows of other artists. If I can’t attend I will share their info on my social media page to help get the word out.
There are a few things I am most proud of in my music career 1) I sang my song “Greyhound” in an individual movie called #50fathers. 2) My first cd, “Broken” won the Ohio Music Award for Best Adult Contemporary CD 3) A couple of different local artists have asked to cover my songs. (That to me is the ultimate compliment) 4) My music as gotten some airplay (especially on WTUD-Tiffin radio, They are a college station that plays Ohio artists.)
I think my age sets me apart from others. I know this business is geared to the young, but here I am far from being young-living my dream and getting my music out there.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
James Knight is a local artist. He and I started the open mic scene around the same time. He had a band called Summer Knights that did pretty well, but now he is part of the It’s About Time Duo. He and Pat McIntyre LaVoie do put on a great show, There are times that they will book a show and ask me to share the venue. They are both big supporters of other artists as well.
BC Hudson, he is a local musician and recording artist. He is one of the hosts of The Wednesday Night Venice Open Mic Night. (and the reason I am the other host at this venue) He is also the lead guitarist on my second cd The Dark Side of Love.
Dave Stump is another local artist but he also owns Stump Studios where I recorded my second Cd. he really did a great job recording this cd. He heard me sing the title song one night and approached me to record it. It is because of him that my second cd got recorded.
My BFF Victoria Bernier. She is at most of my shows helping me to unload and set up me gear. She is an awesome singer in her own right!
There are so many people that have helped me along the way-I could not possibly list them all here. But they know who they are and I love them dearly.
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