Arly Karlsen was born in 1954, near Kristiansand in South Norway. Growing up in a typical farming district, Arly bought his first guitar at the age of twelve. After that he set out on a path built upon a deep-rooted love of music and a desire to entertain, and went on to become lead singer and guitarist in numerous popular Norwegian bands during the 1970s. At the start of the 1980s, Arly and fellow musicians Arne Løland and Liv Jorunn Heia formed "Western Swingers". Their debut album was released to great acclaim in 1983: "Sin egen Stil", and sold more than 20 000 copies across Norway. The band attracted a large fan-base through constant concert dates and TV/radio exposure, made 5 albums, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. They called it a day in 1996.Arly focused on his business interests until 2001 when he launched a solo career. He writes a lot of the songs he records and performs live, and has co-written with several International songwriters including Americans Red Lane, Hank Cochran, Billy Don Burns, Danish writers Peter Borup and Ivan Johnsen; Norwegians Jan Vincents Johannessen and Arne Benoni.Arly's debut solo album "Beyond The Mountains" was recorded in Denmark for Selina Records with producer Dion Egtved, and released in 2002. The Album contains classic country songs and brand new material from Arly and Danish songwriters.The follow-up, "Country Home", was recorded in Nashville and released in March 2004. It featured duets with Nashville-based country stars Red Lane, Pat Roden and Billy Don Burns. Arly’s self-penned tribute to Johnny Cash, "Here’s To You (The Man in Black)", was the stand-out track from this album, and even Johnny’s brother, Tommy Cash, and his little sister, Joanne Cash Yates, said the song was one of the best Johnny Cash tributes they’d ever heard. "Country Home" has received huge airplay all over the World.Arly's third solo-album, "Sweet Honky Tonk", was recorded again in Nashville during October 2004. Released in Scandinavia in May 2005 with a massive television, radio and press campaign. The Album contains classic country songs, and brand new material written by Arly. It features two duets with female country singers, Pat Roden (Nashville) and Pauline Reese (Texas). "Sweet Honky Tonk" has received outstanding reviews around the world; many radio stations have made it "album of the month" and fans have flooded Arly's website with emails and guestbook entries telling him it is the best CD he has made so far.Arly’s music has been a favourite on radio stations worldwide, and the many singles he has released across Europe and around 30 countries, have established him as one of the most played country artists of the 21st century. Topping the prestigious European CMA Chart - the oldest country chart outside of Nashville, compiled from Spain - several times, including a 6 week spell for a duet. He was 1 several times on the "Worldwide Most Played Chart". Arly's music video for "Here's To You (The Man in Black)" has been shown several times on National Norwegian and Danish Television, and Comcast TV in Nashville.It was no surprise that he was voted "World's Future Star" in 2004, a contest run from Nashville to find the next big thing in undiscovered talent, with artists entering from many countries globally. Arly represented Europe and scooped the top prize.Arly has performed shows in Europe and USA, including major festivals such as "Norsk Countryfest" at Breim in Norway; "Country Music Messe" in Berlin; "SCC Country Music Festival" in Silkeborg, Denmark; and concerts in USA at "Nashville Cowboy Church" (on stage with Joanne Cash Yates); "Second Fiddle" and "Legends Corner" in Nashville. New Zealand country fans took Arly to their hearts when he toured there with Kiwi Joy Adams in November 2004 (combining his work with his honeymoon!)Arly has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music, including Joanne Cash Yates; Wanda Jackson; Johnny Logan; Billy Yates; The Bellamy Brothers; Dale Watson; Lucie Diamond; Joy Adams; Erin Hay; Billy Don Burns; Bjøro Håland; Heidi Hauge; Arne Benoni; Tomboola Band; Tamra Rosanes and numerous other US and European artists.Arly loves to work with different artists from other countries and backgrounds. He paired up with the UK's 1 country star, Lucie Diamond, in 2005 to record two duets. In September, their version of the classic 'Always On My Mind' will be released worldwide - the very first time the song has been covered as a duet. In August 2005, Arly invited Lucie to guest with him at the famous SCC Country Festival in Silkeborg, Denmark - Scandinavia's largest country music festival - opening for The Bellamy Brothers, to sing the duet live for the first time ever. Lucie and Arly were THE hit of the entire festival. They plan to work together again.Arly has a voice with a huge range - one moment mining the depths of a bass-baritone and then squeezing every inch of sweetness out of his unique vocal instrument. Above all else, he lets you experience his feelings contained in his music, easily conveyed to the listener. Arly sings with passion, feeling and emotion - at all times!Arly will never be predictable. Nor will he churn out the same old country year after year. His reputation for quality music and a huge talent, spreads ever wider day-by-day - massive hits on his website, testament to that. Tribute to Johnny Cash
