Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer, Brandi Carlile, is no stranger to championing powerful female voices. From her collaboration with superstar Dolly Parton at the Newport Folk Festival to her acclaimed The Highwomen project with Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires. Carlile’s newest collaboration is producing for Nashville-based singer-songwriter Candi Carpenter.
Carpenter, who was discovered by industry powerhouse manager Danny Nozell (Dolly Parton, Kenny G, Seether, KC & The Sunshine Band, Meatloaf), has developed her sound over the past several years, melding the best of Country, pop and Americana into a unique lane all her own.
Carlile lends her production chops to Carpenter’s first song, “The Astronaut.” The introspective Americana song, reminiscent of classic Nashville was released on October 11th. “While I was in Blue Land the wonderful Candi Carpenter released this special single that I am so proud to be a part of” says Carlile.
Carpenter performed music from this new project on Saturday, October 12th at the Grand Ole Opry event celebrating Dolly Parton, who is not only an inspiration for Carpenter, but also a fan. “She is one of the greatest singer-songwriters I’ve ever heard, bar none,” says Parton, who also expressed her love for Carpenter on Twitter. “I became a fan when I heard some demos and said, “THAT GIRL’S A STAR!” I think you will agree” And with “The Astronaut”, Carpenter surely makes her mark.
Listen to “The Astronaut” produced by Brandi Carlile here.
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CANDI CARPENTER
Candi Carpenter is a singer-songwriter from Toledo, Ohio. She worked with GRAMMY-Award winning Brandi Carlile on her debut single “The Astronaut,” who produced the track and lent her vocals. Carpenter was first discovered by Jack Greene, who was drawn to the raw honesty in her original music, landing her a role as the duet partner of the musical icon. The two took the Grand Ole Opry stage and toured the country with the likes of Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner and Loretta Lynn. Her bare honesty and authentic songwriting have continued to turn heads throughout her career, even from country music superstar Dolly Parton. Carpenter performed at Dolly Parton’s 50th Anniversary at the Opry, and is currently working on new music and organizing a world tour.
BRANDI CARLILE
Over the course of their acclaimed career, Carlile and her band have released six albums, including 2017’s Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of the Story (An Album to Benefit War Child), which features 14 artists covering the songs on their breakthrough album The Story with all proceeds benefiting War Child. Artists included on the acclaimed project, which Rolling Stone calls, “tender and powerful,” include Dolly Parton, Adele, Pearl Jam, Kris Kristofferson, The Avett Brothers, Margo Price and Jim James as well as a forward written by President Obama. Most recently, Carlile debuted the acclaimed collaborative movement The Highwomen with fellow members Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. Released to overwhelming critical praise, the collective’s self-titled debut album was released earlier this month via Low Country/Sounds Elektra Records. Adding to her monumental year, Carlile also co-produced Tanya Tucker’s critically acclaimed new album While I’m Livin’ with Shooter Jennings.
