Singer/Songwriter

I’ve been invited to present a short concert and share my faith at the First Presbyterian Church, 11100 Spanish Road, Ely, Iowa 52227 in Ely, IA tomorrow morning, February 23. They will be serving breakfast at 8:00 am and the service/concert will start at 9:30 am There is no charge for admission. February 23 is also Masopust (Czech) Sunday, which I am not very familiar with, but I believe it is a celebration just prior to Lent. They describe themselves as “a lively country church with woods & fields, meadows & hills, trees & streams, ground for play & prayer, space to run & rest. We are authentic, not flashy. We invite you! We hope you can join us!”…and so do I! – Carol

I’m slow to report that “A Carol Christmas” was a smashing success! We all had a great time. Thank you every single audience member! YOU made this concert possible and so much fun! Many thanks and words of praise go to musicians Cameron Sullenberger, Matt Butler (our singing cellist), Jeremiah de la Pena for your hard work and excellence. As I thought about this concert it slowly began to shape itself around December letters. I interspersed a few of my own December letters, many written years ago, into the concert. One was written by my oldest son, Matthew. I even wrote a Christmas song titled “December Letters”.

DECEMBER LETTERS

v1. Another year has passed, December letters come

Telling of the news, The joys and sorrows sung

Christmas cards and letters, With a story all their own

Spreading cheer both far and near, And love from home to home

v2. My letter comes to you, In hopes that you are well

I send you my best wishes, And the Christmas story tell

Every year a blessing, Every year a gift

Every year we ponder once again, What Child is this?

v3. May was graduation, Wedding bells in June

We camped in Colorado, Winter came too soon

Next year we’ll retire, And won’t know what to do

Be sure to stop and see us, If you are passing through

Bridge

Seasons greetings, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Love is here to stay

Raise a glass of cheer, For a brand New Year

v4. I wish you joy unending, Days of love and light

A year of new beginnings, Of warm and peaceful nights

I wish you health and happiness, I pray you safe and sound

May God bless and keep us everyone, Until next year comes around

Until next year comes around, Until next year comes around

I’m happy to announce that we have added another performance of

“A Carol Christmas”.

Performances will now be on December 14 at 8:00 pm and December 15 at 7:00 pm

I hope you can join us!

I’m looking forward to returning to CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids to present “A Carol Christmas” – my second solo Christmas concert. For 19 years, I performed a Christmas concert with the trio known as Tribute – which was Nina Swanson, Kathy Donnelly, and myself. I truly enjoyed those years, the audiences, and the backup musicians who joined us. This year, I will be joined by three talented musicians: Cameron Sullenberger, founder and music director for Cedar Rapids Revival Theatre, on piano and vocals; Matt Butler, a multi-instrumentalist, on cello and vocals; and Jeremiah de la Pena on percussion. I’m excited to present this new instrumental and vocal mix.

DATE: Saturday, December 14, 2019 @ 8:00pm

PLACE: CSPS Hall, 1103 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA

Tickets are now on sale. Call 319-364-1580 or go to the link below to get yours!

https://legionarts.secure.force.com/ticket/#details_a0S3m000009sLCvEAM

I hope to see you there to share some Christmas cheer!!! – Carol

Saturday, June 15 – come join us!

I’m looking forward to being a part of Summerfest 2019 on the beautiful lawns of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, IA.

It’s an outdoor music festival AND a car show! Now that’s different!

The admission is free and there will be food vendors on site. All you need are your sunglasses, lawn chair, and blankie!

Both cars and guitars will be tuned up and rarin’ to go! See more details below:

Cars and Guitars. Yee-Haw!!

What better way to celebrate than going on a little road trip to Spring Green, Wisconsin! I’m heading that way on May 4th to perform at The General Store! Hope you can make it!

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who came to the Coffeehouse Night performance at Lowe Park on March 2. It was one of the most rewarding performance experiences for me and that was due to the incredible support and kindness of the audience.

I am so grateful for every person who came.

Unfortunately, many people were turned away at the door and not able to get into the concert due to the room capacity being full and the fire code which limits the number of people in the room. Many people stood in the hall or lobby to listen to the performance. For all you folks who were inconvenienced and turned away I want to extend my sincere apologies. One person who was turned away emailed me to ask if I had any other performances in the area. I currently do not, but I am working on seeing how I can make that happen.

Again, my heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out.

This is great news! Both of the songs I submitted to SongDoor were awarded an Honorable Mention in the SongDoor 2017 International Songwriting Competition! Thanks so much, SongDoor folks!

We say farewell to nineteen years of Tribute Concerts. We will miss you all. Thank you for all your kind support and friendship over the years. Thanks for the memories!
Who knows what tomorrow holds?
We will see…

 
Farewell my friends I’m bound for Canaan
I’m traveling through the wilderness
Your company has been delightful
You do not leave my mind distressed
I go away behind to leave you
Perhaps never to meet again
But if we never have the pleasure
I hope we meet on Canaan’s Land

After party fun with Big B (Bruce Millard) and G  (Gerard Estelle).

The Paramount Theatre Marquee

Tribute with Harry Elston of “Grazin’ in the Grass” fame.