The Grooveline Band from San Jose, Ca
The Grooveline Band is back! Damien Carter with his to side kicks Mary G, and Albert T. Their vocals are outstanding.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Damien in the News!
Who croons with a voice that's a cross between Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra and Luther Vandross? Who sings each Friday night at the new "It's A Grind" coffee shop (located at Gilroy Crossing)? Who sings each Saturday for diners at the family-style Matxain Etxea Basque Restaurant in San Juan Bautista?
Who sings everything from "New York, New York," to "You're My Everything," to "Full Figured Woman," celebrating the beauty in each of us, no matter what size your soul is packaged in? Who makes you want to sing along with his songs?
Damien Carter hasn't quit his day job yet, but he sings every chance he gets, and his love of music comes through in every song.
Last Friday, Damien was scheduled to begin singing at 7:30pm, but so many customers had arrived that he was forced to go on 30 minutes early.
When a mom and her two small children stopped by, it was clear how much they were enjoying themselves. As Carter sang a line from the song, "Let's Stay Together," that asks "Why do people break up?" the mom sang "I don't know," right back without missing a beat.
The boy tried to act out the way Carter was holding the microphone as if he were a singer too. When he ended the evening with a soulful "America the Beautiful," the little boy was clapping and bouncing up and down, saying, "One more, one more!"
While Carter typically performs solo, he is also rehearsing with friends Ira Marshall on drums, Allen Douglas on keyboards, John Darsey on guitar, and Woody on saxophone, and plans to perform as the group "Cutting Edge." They're already starting to get bookings for future engagements, and though busy learning songs for those, they are also learning some of Carter's original compositions.
During the band's second garage rehearsal at Marshall's hillside home, the neighbors turned off their own music and used the band's rehearsal as their party music. After only four rehearsals, the group sounds as if they have been together for years. Their weekly rehearsals have started attracting people.
It's not just Carter's expertise at recreating classic oldies of yesterday that stands out, or his ability to sing just about any R&B, jazz, or top 40 song. His polite demeanor and good manners are something not found often enough today. Maybe it was being raised by a minister dad and a gospel-singing mom, but in a business often driven by out-of-control ego, it is rare to meet an artist with his passion for lifting the burdens of others through his love of singing. Whenever difficulties arise, Carter stays philosophical and his ego remains refreshingly in check. In other words, not only is he an excellent singer - but he's also a really nice guy.
When he sings, he sways everyone's mood toward the upbeat. His smile, eye contact and obvious enjoyment of what he is doing makes everyone in the room begin feeling more lighthearted. As Cutting Edge keyboardist Allen Douglas put it, "Everyone sits up a little straighter, smiles a little bigger, acts a little friendlier to his or her neighbor, and enjoys life a little more."
Carter sings at It's A Grind, Friday nights, from 7:30 to 10pm, and at the Basque Restaurant Saturdays from 7 to 9pm (call 831-623-4472). Log onto damiencarter.com/booking.html for details.
Kat Teraji
Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a large nonprofit that benefits women and children. Her column appears every Friday. You can reach her at kattoy@verizon.net.
Who sings everything from "New York, New York," to "You're My Everything," to "Full Figured Woman," celebrating the beauty in each of us, no matter what size your soul is packaged in? Who makes you want to sing along with his songs?
Damien Carter hasn't quit his day job yet, but he sings every chance he gets, and his love of music comes through in every song.
Last Friday, Damien was scheduled to begin singing at 7:30pm, but so many customers had arrived that he was forced to go on 30 minutes early.
When a mom and her two small children stopped by, it was clear how much they were enjoying themselves. As Carter sang a line from the song, "Let's Stay Together," that asks "Why do people break up?" the mom sang "I don't know," right back without missing a beat.
The boy tried to act out the way Carter was holding the microphone as if he were a singer too. When he ended the evening with a soulful "America the Beautiful," the little boy was clapping and bouncing up and down, saying, "One more, one more!"
While Carter typically performs solo, he is also rehearsing with friends Ira Marshall on drums, Allen Douglas on keyboards, John Darsey on guitar, and Woody on saxophone, and plans to perform as the group "Cutting Edge." They're already starting to get bookings for future engagements, and though busy learning songs for those, they are also learning some of Carter's original compositions.
During the band's second garage rehearsal at Marshall's hillside home, the neighbors turned off their own music and used the band's rehearsal as their party music. After only four rehearsals, the group sounds as if they have been together for years. Their weekly rehearsals have started attracting people.
It's not just Carter's expertise at recreating classic oldies of yesterday that stands out, or his ability to sing just about any R&B, jazz, or top 40 song. His polite demeanor and good manners are something not found often enough today. Maybe it was being raised by a minister dad and a gospel-singing mom, but in a business often driven by out-of-control ego, it is rare to meet an artist with his passion for lifting the burdens of others through his love of singing. Whenever difficulties arise, Carter stays philosophical and his ego remains refreshingly in check. In other words, not only is he an excellent singer - but he's also a really nice guy.
When he sings, he sways everyone's mood toward the upbeat. His smile, eye contact and obvious enjoyment of what he is doing makes everyone in the room begin feeling more lighthearted. As Cutting Edge keyboardist Allen Douglas put it, "Everyone sits up a little straighter, smiles a little bigger, acts a little friendlier to his or her neighbor, and enjoys life a little more."
Carter sings at It's A Grind, Friday nights, from 7:30 to 10pm, and at the Basque Restaurant Saturdays from 7 to 9pm (call 831-623-4472). Log onto damiencarter.com/booking.html for details.
Kat Teraji
Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a large nonprofit that benefits women and children. Her column appears every Friday. You can reach her at kattoy@verizon.net.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Write up on Damien during a Live Show in LA!
There was a bonus of having Damien Carter, the singer who appeared in Birdemic, do a 15-minute set for those who were respectful enough to stick around for the dude. I mean, c'mon -- it's 2:30, you're late enough as it is, might as well stick around for the dude's crooning. I gotta say, he was really fucking good and his band was tight. People were totally grooving to it, at least most were because some looked like they were still trying to figure out just what the fuck did they just watch.
The drummer looked like Art LaFleur and I eventually convinced myself that it was, because the idea of Art LaFleur rockin' the skins in a band makes me smile, and it also brought up fantasies of him and Tim Thomerson and Helen Hunt and Telma Hopkins going out to smoky clubs and playing as Jack Deth and The Squids or The Trancers or something like that (Ms. Hunt would be taking time off from her other band, Helen Hunt and the Twisters). The drummer also displayed the drumming equivalent to guitar face, which I'm a big fan of. Randal-lookalike may have had one too many or just likes to make a spectacle of himself to the cameras documenting this evening, because that's what was happening during Carter's performance. He really got into it, jumping around and toppling himself over one of the couches. My favorite move was when he walked up to a cameraman, pulled out a PBR, opened it, and downed it all in one move. But yeah, Mr. Carter. He was really good and the dude certainly deserves to have his singing displayed in a better film.
The drummer looked like Art LaFleur and I eventually convinced myself that it was, because the idea of Art LaFleur rockin' the skins in a band makes me smile, and it also brought up fantasies of him and Tim Thomerson and Helen Hunt and Telma Hopkins going out to smoky clubs and playing as Jack Deth and The Squids or The Trancers or something like that (Ms. Hunt would be taking time off from her other band, Helen Hunt and the Twisters). The drummer also displayed the drumming equivalent to guitar face, which I'm a big fan of. Randal-lookalike may have had one too many or just likes to make a spectacle of himself to the cameras documenting this evening, because that's what was happening during Carter's performance. He really got into it, jumping around and toppling himself over one of the couches. My favorite move was when he walked up to a cameraman, pulled out a PBR, opened it, and downed it all in one move. But yeah, Mr. Carter. He was really good and the dude certainly deserves to have his singing displayed in a better film.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Easter Sunrise Service at Mt. Davidson
I will be appearing at the Easter Sunrise Service in SF at Mt. Davidson. The service starts at 7:00am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/4/10 Easter Event
Easter Sunrise 2010 at Mt. Davidson Cross
88th annual celebration at America’s largest cross begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 4, 2010
San Francisco’s grandest Easter morning tradition gets under way at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 4 at the 88th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Mt. Davidson Cross, located atop The City’s highest peak. Admission is free.
A number of community leaders are expected to participate in the citywide event, including SF District 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd. The program also features an SF Firefighters Honor Guard presentation and musical performances by Lynne Miller of The House of Bagpipes, soloist Damien Carter, Gospel singer Shelen Huey-Booker and the YUPP Community Youth Choir, and The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble, which will start the morning off with a Sunrise Prelude beginning at 6:50 a.m.
Local clergy presiding at the non-denominational service include Easter Sunrise 2010 chairman Rev. P.T. Mammen of International Christian Center, Rev. Jeffrey Garner of SF Lighthouse, Rev. Dr. Tim Svoboda of Youth With a Mission, Rev. Nerses Balabanian of Calvary Armenian Congregational Church, Rev. Mark Kirchgestner of Dolores Park Covenant Church, Rev. Edwin Weaver of Golden Gate Community Church and Pastor Jeff Mammen of New Life Church.
Special bus service begins at 4:45 a.m. and runs every 15 minutes from Forest Hill Station to the park gate located at the intersection of Lansdale Avenue, Myra Drive and Dalewood Way – two blocks south of Portola Drive. Call 673-MUNI for further transit information.
Situated at the summit of Mt. Davidson (elevation 938 ft.), America’s largest cross will be illuminated throughout the evening of April 3 by spotlights totalling 48,000 watts, shining as a beacon for Easter morning pilgrims (great Saturday evening location shot and photo op at the corner of Robinhood Way and Lansdale Avenue).
With the sun rising over the East Bay hills, Mt. Davidson Park’s beautiful forest setting serves as a spectacular backdrop for this cherished Easter event. Adding to the visual appeal of the panoramic view of the downtown skyline and SF Bay is the dazzling springtime array of purple, blue, pink, orange and yellow wildflowers currently in bloom.
Sponsored by local churches and broadcast nationally in years past, the Easter Sunrise Service attendance record was set during World War II, with an estimated 50,000 worshippers in attendance. Originally dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a transcontinental ceremony in 1934, the 103-foot-tall Mt. Davidson Cross has been restored by the Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California, owners of the monument.
Those planning to attend Easter Sunrise 2010 are advised to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes for the short walk to the summit. For more details, call (415) 566-8393.
Media Contact:
Glenn Gullmes
(415) 566-8393
sftimes@mac.com
5 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Easter_Mt._D_Cross_Flag_RGB_horiz.jpg
247K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_Mt._D_Cross_RGB_vert.jpg
342K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_Mt._D_2010_PR.pdf
116K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_2010_flier.pdf
176K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_2010_insert.pdf
112K View Download
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/4/10 Easter Event
Easter Sunrise 2010 at Mt. Davidson Cross
88th annual celebration at America’s largest cross begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 4, 2010
San Francisco’s grandest Easter morning tradition gets under way at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 4 at the 88th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Mt. Davidson Cross, located atop The City’s highest peak. Admission is free.
A number of community leaders are expected to participate in the citywide event, including SF District 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd. The program also features an SF Firefighters Honor Guard presentation and musical performances by Lynne Miller of The House of Bagpipes, soloist Damien Carter, Gospel singer Shelen Huey-Booker and the YUPP Community Youth Choir, and The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble, which will start the morning off with a Sunrise Prelude beginning at 6:50 a.m.
Local clergy presiding at the non-denominational service include Easter Sunrise 2010 chairman Rev. P.T. Mammen of International Christian Center, Rev. Jeffrey Garner of SF Lighthouse, Rev. Dr. Tim Svoboda of Youth With a Mission, Rev. Nerses Balabanian of Calvary Armenian Congregational Church, Rev. Mark Kirchgestner of Dolores Park Covenant Church, Rev. Edwin Weaver of Golden Gate Community Church and Pastor Jeff Mammen of New Life Church.
Special bus service begins at 4:45 a.m. and runs every 15 minutes from Forest Hill Station to the park gate located at the intersection of Lansdale Avenue, Myra Drive and Dalewood Way – two blocks south of Portola Drive. Call 673-MUNI for further transit information.
Situated at the summit of Mt. Davidson (elevation 938 ft.), America’s largest cross will be illuminated throughout the evening of April 3 by spotlights totalling 48,000 watts, shining as a beacon for Easter morning pilgrims (great Saturday evening location shot and photo op at the corner of Robinhood Way and Lansdale Avenue).
With the sun rising over the East Bay hills, Mt. Davidson Park’s beautiful forest setting serves as a spectacular backdrop for this cherished Easter event. Adding to the visual appeal of the panoramic view of the downtown skyline and SF Bay is the dazzling springtime array of purple, blue, pink, orange and yellow wildflowers currently in bloom.
Sponsored by local churches and broadcast nationally in years past, the Easter Sunrise Service attendance record was set during World War II, with an estimated 50,000 worshippers in attendance. Originally dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a transcontinental ceremony in 1934, the 103-foot-tall Mt. Davidson Cross has been restored by the Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California, owners of the monument.
Those planning to attend Easter Sunrise 2010 are advised to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes for the short walk to the summit. For more details, call (415) 566-8393.
Media Contact:
Glenn Gullmes
(415) 566-8393
sftimes@mac.com
5 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Easter_Mt._D_Cross_Flag_RGB_horiz.jpg
247K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_Mt._D_Cross_RGB_vert.jpg
342K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_Mt._D_2010_PR.pdf
116K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_2010_flier.pdf
176K View Download
Easter_Sunrise_2010_insert.pdf
112K View Download
Thursday, March 11, 2010
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