Deana Carter
Encyclopedia
Deana Carter is a country music
artist who broke through in 1996 with the release of debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?
, which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States for sales of over five million. It was followed by 1998's Everything's Gonna Be Alright, 2003's I'm Just a Girl
, 2005's The Story of My Life
, and 2007's The Chain
. Overall, Carter's albums have accounted for 14 singles, including three which reached Number One on the Billboard
country charts: "Strawberry Wine
", "We Danced Anyway
", and "How Do I Get There
".
Despite her famous father, she did not have a smooth path to a recording deal. After an initial lack of success at age 17, she entered the University of Tennessee
, majoring in Rehabilitation Therapy and becoming a member of Alpha Delta Pi
sorority, and a Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Little Sister. During college, she sang at various campus locations, performing for the enjoyment of singing, rather than with the intent of pursuing a musical career. After she graduated, she worked with recovering stroke
and head injury patients. Although she found the work rewarding and worthwhile, she eventually realized that her first love was music, and decided to pursue the music career she left earlier.
Carter dated music video director Chris Hicky
and had a son during their relationship; Gray Hayes Hicky was born in September 2004. On October 3, 2009, Carter married boyfriend Brandon Malone in Malibu.
Carter has been a national spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation
; her father is a kidney transplant recipient. Carter also was the author of a book, Songs From the Heart.
, who invited her to take part in the 1994 Farm Aid
VII concert as the show's only female soloist. That same tape led to a contract with Capitol Records that year.
In early 1995 she released her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?
, in the UK on Patriot Records. However, the label folded shortly after the album's release. In 1996, Carter released her debut country single, "Strawberry Wine
," which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard
Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Did I Shave My Legs for This? was released in North America (keeping only three of the original tracks) to great success. The album debuted at #2 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and sold well over five million copies, and produced two further No. 1 hits in "We Danced Anyway
" and "How Do I Get There
."
Carter was featured on the soundtrack to the 1997 animated movie Anastasia, for her version of "Once Upon a December." The track was made into a music video and received rotation on CMT
at the time "How Do I Get There" was charting as a radio single (since the single had no music video).
," as the lead-off single to her second album, Everything's Gonna Be Alright, which was released on October 20, 1998. The album peaked at #6 and sold just enough to receive a Gold certification, far less than the sales of her debut album. The album produced a Top 20 in its lead single and three further singles, two of which were minor Top 40 hits ("You Still Shake Me" and "Angels Working Overtime
").
After her second album failed to follow up on the success of her debut, she attempted for several years to get new material out. But after dealing with a total of four label presidents and a failed attempt to push out a third album in 2001, she chose to end her relationship with Capitol Records over differences on creative direction.
in November 2001, and a divorce from husband Chris DiCroce, she relocated to Los Angeles.
In 2002, Carter signed with Arista Nashville
and released her first single in three years. "There's No Limit
," which became her sixth Top 20 hit with a peak of #14 in early 2003, served as the lead-off single to her fourth studio album, I'm Just a Girl
, which was released on March 18, 2003. The title-track was released as the album's second single, and was a minor Top 40 hit. No further singles were released from the album, and Carter once again parted ways with her record label.
. She released the song "(Bleep) Texas" in March 2005, but it failed to chart and was shortly replaced with "One Day at a Time," which served as the lead single to her fifth studio album, The Story of My Life
. It only remained on the chart for five weeks and peaked at #55. The Story of My Life peaked at #26 on the U.S. Country Albums chart, and all further singles ("The Girl You Left Me For," "Sunny Day," and "In a Heartbeat") failed to chart. Despite having less success, Carter had more artistic freedom with this album and was able to write (or co-write) and produce all 11 tracks.
Live in Concert, Carter's first live album, was released in early 2007 through Big Band Concert Series. The album includes one previously-unreleased song, "Angels of the Heart," as well as other concert favorites. Although released in 2007, all of the live performances on the album were recorded in 1998.
Carter's sixth studio album, The Chain
, was released on October 9, 2007. The Chain was a cover album, that she recorded as a tribute to her father (who performed guitar on many of the original versions of the covers found on the album). Many of the tracks also featured the original artists as duet partners, such as Dolly Parton
(on "Love Is Like a Butterfly") and Willie Nelson
(on "On the Road Again
"). The album was unsuccessful; it debuted and peaked at #60, and its only single (the duet version of "On the Road Again" with Nelson) failed to chart.
Carter was ranked #81 on the 100 Greatest Women (of Country Music) by Country Universe in 2008.
In an interview with Jay Cooper of Slither Productions, Carter reported that she had been writing music for her next album, with hopes of releasing the record sometime in 2010. It was announced in March 2010 that Deana Carter had signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Nashville/Chappel Music.
In 2010, Kenny Chesney
covered "You and Tequila
," a song co-written by Carter with Matraca Berg
for the album I'm Just a Girl, and included it on his album Hemingway's Whiskey
. Chesney's version was later released as the album's fourth single in May 2011 and features guest vocals from Grace Potter
. It peaked at number 3 in September 2011, and was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2011 CMA Awards.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist who broke through in 1996 with the release of debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?
Did I Shave My Legs for This?
Did I Shave My Legs for This? is the debut album of American country artist Deana Carter, released in 1996. It features her breakthrough debut single "Strawberry Wine", a Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts at the end of that year...
, which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States for sales of over five million. It was followed by 1998's Everything's Gonna Be Alright, 2003's I'm Just a Girl
I'm Just a Girl
I'm Just a Girl is the fourth studio album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. The album peaked at #6 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and #58 on the Billboard 200, and produced two singles. "There's No Limit" was released in late 2002 as the lead single...
, 2005's The Story of My Life
The Story of My Life (Deana Carter album)
The Story of My Life is the fifth studio album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. The album peaked at #26 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and #150 on the Billboard 200. "One Day at a Time" was released in March 2005 as the lead-off single, and entered the Billboard...
, and 2007's The Chain
The Chain (Deana Carter album)
-Album:-Singles:...
. Overall, Carter's albums have accounted for 14 singles, including three which reached Number One on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts: "Strawberry Wine
Strawberry Wine (Deana Carter song)
"Strawberry Wine" is the title of a song written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter. It was released in August 1996 as Carter's debut single and served as the lead-off to her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?. The song went on to peak at...
", "We Danced Anyway
We Danced Anyway
"We Danced Anyway" is the title of a song written by Randy Scruggs and Matraca Berg and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the second single and second Number One hit from her debut album Did I Shave My...
", and "How Do I Get There
How Do I Get There
"How Do I Get There" is the title of a song written by Chris Farren and co-written and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter. It was released in August 1997 as the fourth single from her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?. The song became her third single to reach the top of the...
".
Biography
She was born in Nashville,Tennessee and raised in Winnsboro,Louisiana.She is the daughter of singer Fred Carter, Jr.Fred Carter, Jr.
Fred Carter, Jr. was an American guitarist, singer, producer and composer.- Early career :Carter was raised in the delta country in Winnsboro, the seat of Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana. Carter grew up with the heavy musical influences of jazz, country & western, hymns, and blues...
Despite her famous father, she did not have a smooth path to a recording deal. After an initial lack of success at age 17, she entered the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, majoring in Rehabilitation Therapy and becoming a member of Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Delta Pi is a fraternity founded on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. The Executive office for this sorority is located on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Alpha Delta Pi is one of the two "Macon Magnolias," a term used to celebrate the bonds it shares with Phi Mu...
sorority, and a Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
Little Sister. During college, she sang at various campus locations, performing for the enjoyment of singing, rather than with the intent of pursuing a musical career. After she graduated, she worked with recovering stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and head injury patients. Although she found the work rewarding and worthwhile, she eventually realized that her first love was music, and decided to pursue the music career she left earlier.
Carter dated music video director Chris Hicky
Chris Hicky
Chris Hicky is a Grammy nominated music video director from Forrest City, Arkansas, best known for directing many of Keith Urban's videos. Hicky has also directed videos for many other artists in the country music genre, including Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Deana Carter, Carrie Underwood, Lady...
and had a son during their relationship; Gray Hayes Hicky was born in September 2004. On October 3, 2009, Carter married boyfriend Brandon Malone in Malibu.
Carter has been a national spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation, Inc. is a major voluntary health organization in the United States, headquartered in New York City...
; her father is a kidney transplant recipient. Carter also was the author of a book, Songs From the Heart.
Breakthrough success: Did I Shave My Legs for This?
Her first big break came when one of her demo tapes caught the attention of Willie NelsonWillie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, who invited her to take part in the 1994 Farm Aid
Farm Aid
Farm Aid started as a benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, held to raise money for family farmers in the United States...
VII concert as the show's only female soloist. That same tape led to a contract with Capitol Records that year.
In early 1995 she released her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?
Did I Shave My Legs for This?
Did I Shave My Legs for This? is the debut album of American country artist Deana Carter, released in 1996. It features her breakthrough debut single "Strawberry Wine", a Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts at the end of that year...
, in the UK on Patriot Records. However, the label folded shortly after the album's release. In 1996, Carter released her debut country single, "Strawberry Wine
Strawberry Wine (Deana Carter song)
"Strawberry Wine" is the title of a song written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter. It was released in August 1996 as Carter's debut single and served as the lead-off to her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?. The song went on to peak at...
," which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Did I Shave My Legs for This? was released in North America (keeping only three of the original tracks) to great success. The album debuted at #2 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and sold well over five million copies, and produced two further No. 1 hits in "We Danced Anyway
We Danced Anyway
"We Danced Anyway" is the title of a song written by Randy Scruggs and Matraca Berg and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the second single and second Number One hit from her debut album Did I Shave My...
" and "How Do I Get There
How Do I Get There
"How Do I Get There" is the title of a song written by Chris Farren and co-written and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter. It was released in August 1997 as the fourth single from her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?. The song became her third single to reach the top of the...
."
Carter was featured on the soundtrack to the 1997 animated movie Anastasia, for her version of "Once Upon a December." The track was made into a music video and received rotation on CMT
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
at the time "How Do I Get There" was charting as a radio single (since the single had no music video).
Second album and departure from Capitol: Everything's Gonna Be Alright
In September 1998, Carter released her sixth single, "Absence of the HeartAbsence of the Heart
"Absence of the Heart" is the title of a song written by Chris Farren, Chuck Jones, and co-written and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter. It was released in September 1998 as the lead-off single for her second album Everything's Gonna Be Alright...
," as the lead-off single to her second album, Everything's Gonna Be Alright, which was released on October 20, 1998. The album peaked at #6 and sold just enough to receive a Gold certification, far less than the sales of her debut album. The album produced a Top 20 in its lead single and three further singles, two of which were minor Top 40 hits ("You Still Shake Me" and "Angels Working Overtime
Angels Working Overtime
"Angels Working Overtime" is the title of a song written by Michael Dulaney and Michael Lunn, and recorded by American country artist Deana Carter for her second album, Everything's Gonna Be Alright. The song was released as the album's third single in 1999...
").
After her second album failed to follow up on the success of her debut, she attempted for several years to get new material out. But after dealing with a total of four label presidents and a failed attempt to push out a third album in 2001, she chose to end her relationship with Capitol Records over differences on creative direction.
Return to the studio: Father Christmas and I'm Just a Girl
After releasing her third studio album, Father Christmas, on Rounder RecordsRounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
in November 2001, and a divorce from husband Chris DiCroce, she relocated to Los Angeles.
In 2002, Carter signed with Arista Nashville
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
and released her first single in three years. "There's No Limit
There's No Limit
"There's No Limit" is the title of a song recorded by American country artist Deana Carter. It was released as the lead-off single for her fourth studio album, I'm Just a Girl...
," which became her sixth Top 20 hit with a peak of #14 in early 2003, served as the lead-off single to her fourth studio album, I'm Just a Girl
I'm Just a Girl
I'm Just a Girl is the fourth studio album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. The album peaked at #6 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and #58 on the Billboard 200, and produced two singles. "There's No Limit" was released in late 2002 as the lead single...
, which was released on March 18, 2003. The title-track was released as the album's second single, and was a minor Top 40 hit. No further singles were released from the album, and Carter once again parted ways with her record label.
Turning to independent labels: The Story of My Life and The Chain
In 2004, Carter signed with independent record label Vanguard RecordsVanguard Records
Vanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
. She released the song "(Bleep) Texas" in March 2005, but it failed to chart and was shortly replaced with "One Day at a Time," which served as the lead single to her fifth studio album, The Story of My Life
The Story of My Life (Deana Carter album)
The Story of My Life is the fifth studio album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. The album peaked at #26 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and #150 on the Billboard 200. "One Day at a Time" was released in March 2005 as the lead-off single, and entered the Billboard...
. It only remained on the chart for five weeks and peaked at #55. The Story of My Life peaked at #26 on the U.S. Country Albums chart, and all further singles ("The Girl You Left Me For," "Sunny Day," and "In a Heartbeat") failed to chart. Despite having less success, Carter had more artistic freedom with this album and was able to write (or co-write) and produce all 11 tracks.
Live in Concert, Carter's first live album, was released in early 2007 through Big Band Concert Series. The album includes one previously-unreleased song, "Angels of the Heart," as well as other concert favorites. Although released in 2007, all of the live performances on the album were recorded in 1998.
Carter's sixth studio album, The Chain
The Chain (Deana Carter album)
-Album:-Singles:...
, was released on October 9, 2007. The Chain was a cover album, that she recorded as a tribute to her father (who performed guitar on many of the original versions of the covers found on the album). Many of the tracks also featured the original artists as duet partners, such as Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
(on "Love Is Like a Butterfly") and Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
(on "On the Road Again
On the Road Again (Willie Nelson song)
"On the Road Again" is a song made famous by country music singer Willie Nelson, and is part of the soundtrack to the 1980 movie Honeysuckle Rose....
"). The album was unsuccessful; it debuted and peaked at #60, and its only single (the duet version of "On the Road Again" with Nelson) failed to chart.
Carter was ranked #81 on the 100 Greatest Women (of Country Music) by Country Universe in 2008.
Return to music and career today
After releasing The Chain, Carter took some time off from recording music to spend at home with her son.In an interview with Jay Cooper of Slither Productions, Carter reported that she had been writing music for her next album, with hopes of releasing the record sometime in 2010. It was announced in March 2010 that Deana Carter had signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Nashville/Chappel Music.
In 2010, Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney
Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S...
covered "You and Tequila
You and Tequila
"You and Tequila" is the title of a song co-written by Matraca Berg and Deana Carter. It was recorded by Kenny Chesney for his 2010 album Hemingway's Whiskey, from which it was released in May 2011 as the fourth single...
," a song co-written by Carter with Matraca Berg
Matraca Berg
Matraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
for the album I'm Just a Girl, and included it on his album Hemingway's Whiskey
Hemingway's Whiskey
Upon its release, Hemingway’s Whiskey received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 67, based on 6 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable...
. Chesney's version was later released as the album's fourth single in May 2011 and features guest vocals from Grace Potter
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is an American rock band from Waitsfield, Vermont.-Career:Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' lead vocalist is multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter, who attended St. Lawrence University for two years before pursuing music professionally...
. It peaked at number 3 in September 2011, and was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2011 CMA Awards.
Discography
Albums- 1996: Did I Shave My Legs for This?Did I Shave My Legs for This?Did I Shave My Legs for This? is the debut album of American country artist Deana Carter, released in 1996. It features her breakthrough debut single "Strawberry Wine", a Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts at the end of that year...
- 1998: Everything's Gonna Be Alright
- 2001: Father Christmas
- 2002: The Deana Carter CollectionThe Deana Carter CollectionThe Deana Carter Collection is a compilation album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. Seven of the album's tracks were previous hit singles from her first two albums, Did I Shave My Legs for This? and Everything's Gonna Be Alright. The other tracks on the album consist of...
- 2003: I'm Just a GirlI'm Just a GirlI'm Just a Girl is the fourth studio album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. The album peaked at #6 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and #58 on the Billboard 200, and produced two singles. "There's No Limit" was released in late 2002 as the lead single...
- 2005: The Story of My LifeThe Story of My Life (Deana Carter album)The Story of My Life is the fifth studio album released by American country singer/songwriter Deana Carter. The album peaked at #26 on the U.S. Top Country Albums chart and #150 on the Billboard 200. "One Day at a Time" was released in March 2005 as the lead-off single, and entered the Billboard...
- 2007: Live in Concert
- 2007: The ChainThe Chain (Deana Carter album)-Album:-Singles:...
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Country Music Association Awards Country Music Association Awards The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967... |
Single of the Year — "Strawberry Wine" | |
| Song of the Year — "Strawberry Wine" | |||
| Female Vocalist of the Year | |||
| Horizon Award | |||
| Album of the Year — Did I Shave My Legs for This? | |||
| Music Video of the Year — "Strawberry Wine" | |||
| 1998 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Single Record of the Year — "Strawberry Wine" | |
| Song of the Year — "Strawberry Wine" | |||
| Top New Female Vocalist | |||
| Country Music Association Awards | Music Video of the Year — "Did I Shave My Legs for This?" | ||
| 39th Grammy Awards | Best Country Female Vocal Performance — "Strawberry Wine" | ||
| 2011 | Country Music Association Awards | Song of the Year — "You and Tequila" | |
| 2012 | 54th Grammy Awards 54th Grammy Awards The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a... |
Best Country Song Grammy Award for Best Country Song The Grammy Award for Best Country Song has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the writer of the song.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:... — "You and Tequila" |