Dave Carter
By Michael P. Jones
One of the best recordings to come out of the State of Oregon for a long time, not to mention the Pacific Northwest, is Snake Handlin' Man by Dave Carter. This 11-song CD features a collection of tunes from a fine tunesmith, a talented individual that could be labeled as a folk musician; but really can't be easily pigeon-holed, as he reaches out to a large, diversified audience.
Carter's release of Snake Handlin' Man signifies his serious approach to his craft. He's moved far beyond the comforts of the stage, which he masters most brilliantly. His talents are on the airwaves in this splendid recording project.
Snake Handlin' Man is a great CD, but it is not unique in respect to Carter because when he hits the stage, all of his performances are great, appreciable, and definitely not easily forgotten. Undoubtedly this recording project clearly "mirrors" the talents of this singer-songwriter. Whether it's The River, Where She Sleeps, Long, Black Road into Tulsa Town, The Promised Land, Texas Underground, Snake Handlin' Man, Cowboy Singer, or any of the other tunes written and performed by Carter, you'll become a fan if you are not one already.
Carter's career as a singer-songwriter has just begun, but he's already won some major honors. He was awarded the "Best Contemporary Stylist" by the Portland Songwriters Association; won first place in the "American Songwriter Lyrics Contest", named "Entertainer of the Year" by the Portland Songwriters Association; garnered first place at the "Sisters Folk Festival Songwriting Con-test"; plus others.
As for his stage appearances, Carter has traveled the highways and back roads throughout the country, performing in festivals and clubs, gaining an impressive reputation as a brilliant tunesmith and entertainer wherever he goes. As more and more audiences dis-cover his talents and identify with the timeless, sensitive stories he tells through his songs, the de-mand for his music continues to soar.
Carter has opened for an array of top acts including Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Ian Tyson. He was picked up once while hitchhiking by the one and only Merle Haggard, who wished him the best of luck in this unpredictable world of music.
Carter's music seems to take on a life of it's own. The songs reach out to the listener and gradually, if not quickly, pull them into the threads of the tune. They find themselves pleasingly haunted by the songwriter's lyrical and musical messages. All the songs seem to tell the stories of American people. Everyone, everywhere will be able to identify with the tunes, whether they've all traveled the same or different roads. There is something about the words and the way the music is presented that is able to filter through the distractions of everyday life and find its way into the fabric of the conscience.
Carter's Snake-Handlin' Man is sold at local outlets in Portland, and if they don't carry this CD, ask them why. You can also purchase it from the stage wherever he is performing. To find out more about Carter and his music, you can reach him directly at (503) 228-2319 or by email at davidc@teleport.com.