THE GARDEN PARTY AT CHANNELL ElCajon 12/25
Carolyn Sledge is from San Diego California. Born third of seven children, she has always had an interest in music, theatre and dance. Her grandfather Roland Robinson was a Paraguayan Harp maker one of only three in the world, and had a constant flow of famous Latin artist coming to their home on Mt. Laguna, California. "I just loved those days; we'd play, laugh and sing 'till the wee hours, long after the children had gone to sleep, the music kept on." Carolyn's mother was a singer in the local community and church choir and a professional artist/painter. A truly creative family, her brother and sisters sing and play classical instruments in theatre and orchestras.
Carolyn began performing in music theatre productions in elementary school. At age 8, her grandfather Roland asked her which instrument she wanted to play and she said "the piano." He then sent her his grand piano from the mountain and began to encourage her playing. In high school, Carolyn toured locally with an elite ensemble group, singing and dancing and competing with other Southern California performance groups. She then went on to front her own band "BLUESLEDGE", a classic rock and blues band she developed. Carolyn played venues in Southern California with her band and began writing and recording her own music. Her first song was “City of Lights†about the famous city Las Vegas, written on the drive home after a visit to the city.
While in San Diego, she wrote and recorded her first indie solo album with musician friend Doug Taylor. In Oct.1999, Carolyn moved to Nashville, Tennessee (Music City) to hone her writing skills. She began writing and recording with local musicians such as “The Uncle Buzzy Bandâ€, Dina Capitani, David Nall and Michelle Edwards, and performed the lead role in the rock opera “Flying Through The Fish Bowlâ€, written by musician/playwright Michael Paul. She began winning awards for her songwriting, and continued playing popular venues such as "Blue Bird Cafe", "Gibson Guitar Cafe", and "Dancin in The District" where she opened for “Six Pence None The Richerâ€. She has also been heard on local radio stations in Nashville such as WAKM and Jazz/ Latin Station WFSK 88.1 FM Fisk University.
She recorded a second album titled “Fly†which she co-produced with her husband, Rich Bolich and guitarist/writer Dave Nall and Ainslee Grosser, producer of Grammy award winning artist Rebecca St. James. The album “Fly†reflects her diverse writing and singing style, with straight blues songs such as "Father" to electronic rock/pop as in "Fly" and "Invisible Line". All songs were written by Carolyn and many recorded in her studio in Franklin Tn., where she currently resides. Carolyn continues to write and record new original music and produces other indie artists and projects. In 2007 Carolyn songs "Within You"' "Angels Wings" and "If you Knew were selected as part of the sound track for the feature Movie “Angel Unaware, The Untold Story of Tara Cole’’ which was selected for the African American Black Film Festival of Nashville. She has also written commercials for the Mss. Tennessee Latina Pageant.
"I enjoy music and its vast form of expression. It is a medium that can be very inspiring and healing. It is important that the music I write has a positive message that contributes to humanity. It has served me well as a sort of road map directing me as I journey through this life; I hope I serve it as a worthy vessel. Speaking of journey, does anyone know how I can meet Steve Perry?"
Some of Carolyn's influences are 80’s Pop/Rock, Classic Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Americana and Electronic music. Her Favorite artists include Journey, Mozart, Juice Newton, Olivia Newton John, Pat Benitar, John Lennon, the Beatles, Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Madonna, Talking Heads, Oingo Boing, Danny Elf man, Anne Lennox, Prince, America, Scorpions, Def Leopard and Eagles. As a child, I used to pretend I was "Maria" from the "Sound of Music “and Pat Benitar. Now, I'm glad to be me. I am really excited about what's in front of me and what lies just around the corner."
