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| CMF:- It was your grandfather who influenced your love of the music through teaching you to play the harmonica at any early age. Are your recollections of those days still vivid in your memory? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Yes, they are. Although "Grandpa" passed away when I was only 7 years old, I still remember all about his kind ways and how his simple "French harp", as he called it, influenced me enough to follow this music career. | ||
| CMF:- As you grew older, you formed a band at school and they were runners-up in a competition. What type of work were you considering at that time or,, had you already decided music was for you? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Well I had a few different jobs through those years. Everything from hauling hay, substitute school bus driving, to cleaning fish. I did, however, have my sights on becoming a police officer when I 'grew up'. I loved music and that's what I dreamed of doing. I think the words to a Jerry Reed song sums it up well. "I'm too lazy to work and too scared to steal" :-) | ||
| CMF:- After graduation, you entered another competition and, as a result, played in the house band at the complex for several years. Were you playing an instrument, singing and writing at the time and why did you leave for Branson? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- I played bass guitar for the Ozarks Country Jubilee. I did sing a couple of songs during the two-hour show. I left there to chase that dream of becoming a Country recording artist. | ||
| CMF:- Branson was really where your music career started to take off, particularly after meeting Kim, your wife, who persuaded you to go to Nashville. Did Kim have to work hard to persuade you to take that step? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Yes, it was Kim that convinced me to take that leap and moved to Nashville. I stayed home, while still living in Missouri, to begin my songwriting. During that time Kim worked at a doctor's office to 'support my habit'. | ||
| CMF:- The stars were smiling on you when, within a month of moving to Nashville, you secured a job as bass player/singer with a band at the Opryland Hotel. That must have been a big relief for both you and your wife. | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Yes it was a relief. To have a job sort of fall in your lap like that. And to play at again place like the Opryland Hotel was a blessing. | ||
| CMF:- During this period, presumably you were writing songs as you landed a contract with a publishing company. Did you still continue to sing at the Opryland Hotel whilst you were writing? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Yes I did. At one point I was playing at the hotel, writing songs and singing demos foe other songwriters....whew! | ||
| CMF:- You demoed quite a lot and, in fact, some of the songs became hits for established artists like Reba McEntire, Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker. Was it through singing demos that led to your record deal with MCG/Curb? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- I know it had a great hand in landing me a record deal. It was an opportunity to have my voice heard all over Nashville by record producers looking for material for their artists' upcoming albums. | ||
| CMF:- You obviously were working hard but did you manage to get any leisure time and, how did you spend it? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- During the Fall and Winter months, I would spend a lot of time in the woods hunting. | ||
| CMF:- It must have been quite daunting when you see your debut album hit the stores and radio. Were you nervous, excited? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:-Very! I couldn't wait until it was in the stores. I never had the nerve but, I always wanted to dress in the same clothes that I wore on the album cover and just go stand round the record rack to see if anyone recognised me. | ||
| CMF:- Although the first single made the lower region of the charts, your next single "not on Your Love" hit the No 1 slot. You must have felt on top of the world. | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Yes I did. It was a great time in my life. | ||
| CMF:- You had further hits but not as successful as that No 1. it would seem the success of a Country single and, possibly to a lesser extent an album, relies solely upon the radio stations and, no matter how good a song might be, if they don't play it there is no hit. Do you, like many others, find that situation frustrating? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:-Well I did think there were great songs on the second album that were never going to be singles. That time in my career was a real blur. I hardly remember looking for and recording those songs. | ||
| CMF:- On a lighter note, last year at Fan Fair, the number plate from your jeep went missing. Was the plate ever found? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- No, it was never found. My plate read GN FSHN )gone fishin'). I still have to laugh when I think of where it might be. | ||
| CMF:- What does the future hold for you? Is there any new album in the pipeline? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- Well, we're looking for a new producer to go back into the studio and record some new different things with me. No release dates are set at this time. | ||
| CMF:- Finally, if you were starting out in the business today, would you do anything different and, if so, what? | ||
| JEFF CARSON:- I would take every moment of victories and accomplishments and really soak them up. Looking back, I know I took a lot of those times for granted and didn't appreciate them as much as I should have. So, here's to the future! | ||
| CMF:- Thanks for your time Jeff and best wishes for the future. | ||
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©2000 CountryMusicFile
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JEFF CARSON
Yeah Buddy.
Not On Your Love.
Get A Guitar.
Definite Possibilities.
The Car.
Betty's Takin' Judo.
Preachin' To The Choir.
Me Too.
If I Ain't Got You.
That Last Mile.
Holdin' Onto Something.
BUTTERFLY KISSES
Do It Again.
Here's The Deal.
Cheatin' On Her Heart.
As One As Two Can Get.
Hangin' By A Thread.
Try Bein' Me.
If You Wanna Get To Heaven.
She's The One.
With Any Luck At All.
Where The River Bends.
