Al Carter
Al Carter: A Life of Music, Motivation, and Inspiration
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Al Carter was born on July 15, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He is commonly known as "The Soulful Singer" due to his smooth, soulful voice.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born: July 15, 1940
Died: October 12, 2007
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession: Singer-Songwriter, Music Producer, Entrepreneur
#### Early Life and Background
Al Carter's musical journey began at a young age. Growing up in Memphis, he was exposed to the city's vibrant music scene, which included blues, gospel, and R&B influences. His mother, a talented singer herself, encouraged Al's love for music and nurtured his vocal skills from an early age.
As a teenager, Al formed his first band, performing local gigs and honing his craft. After serving in the US Army during the 1960s, he returned to Memphis and began working as a session musician, contributing vocals and instrumentation to recordings by other artists. This experience not only refined his musical skills but also gave him valuable insight into the music industry.
#### Major Accomplishments
In the late 1970s, Al Carter released his debut single, "Soulful Nights," which became an instant hit in the US R&B charts. The song's success led to a record deal with a major label and the release of his self-titled album, Al Carter, in 1981.
Throughout his career, Al Carter collaborated with renowned artists such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin, contributing vocals or instrumentation to numerous hit recordings. His smooth, soulful voice became synonymous with classic American R&B.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Some of Al's most notable works include:
Soulful Nights (1979) - a chart-topping single that showcased his unique vocal style.
Al Carter (1981) - his debut album, featuring soulful renditions of original compositions and covers.
* United We Sing (1995) - a charity single he co-wrote with other industry legends to raise funds for music education programs.
#### Impact and Legacy
Al Carter's impact on the music world extends beyond his impressive catalog. As a respected musician, producer, and entrepreneur, he paved the way for future generations of artists. His commitment to charitable causes, particularly in the realm of music education, has left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire aspiring musicians today.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Al Carter's passing on October 12, 2007, was met with widespread mourning from fans and fellow industry professionals alike. His impact on American R&B is still celebrated through his timeless music, which remains a staple of classic soul playlists worldwide.
In the words of Al himself, "Music has the power to uplift and inspire us all." This simple yet profound statement encapsulates his approach to life and art, leaving behind a lasting legacy that transcends time.
Quotes by Al Carter
It was good to get a win because we blew a couple of opportunities to score runs. Early in the game, we threw the ball around a little bit on a few plays. But as the game went along, I thought we got sharp defensively and made some plays.
Danny had a good fourth quarter. He finished some fast-break points on the other end. He was out in front and got some deflections.
It was big. The hit and run on the play before with Andrew ... I'm just as proud of that. It put us in a position to score.
They shot like that in (the holiday tournament). I hope they keep shooting like that from the free-throw line if we play them again.
This early in the year we're going to hold our pitchers down to 60 or 65 pitches. You get behind the good hitters and they'll make you pay. That's what happened a couple of times in the late innings.
This is going to be as frustrating as all the other losses we've suffered in the state (tournament) before. This loss. Providence two years ago. They're going to stay with me forever. But I promise you we'll be back. I'm proud of the effort our kids gave.
Providence is a fundamentally sound team. Coach Jim Martin was here to scout us. He probably didn't see anything different than what he's seen of us before. And we know what they do. It's just going to come down to execution.
Seems to be the way we play lately. Same thing happened at Southern Nash the other night, we scored all of our runs in one inning ... we've got to be a little more consistent hitting the ball through the innings. Not just hit and wait for one big inning. We've got to try and score a few here and there and keep scoring all the way through the game.
Everybody was there. I was so glad to see them all. I wasn't sure how we'd do against them at full strength. They played man-to-man most of the game and tried to test our conditioning.