About Carrie
It’s pretty obvious from the moment you hear Carrie Martin sing that she is an outstanding vocalist with passion in each breath. Don’t be too sidetracked by that voice and stage persona and well crafted songs, because you might just miss the fact that she is a fine guitar player as well!
Gordon Giltrap
Carrie’s father, Terry
Early Years
Carrie is a true born and bred Yorkshire lass, born in Hull. She first picked up a guitar at the age of four and made her first public performance at the tender age of nine, playing at a school concert.
She later played clubs alongside her father, who worked the circuit as a guitarist and vocalist.
In her teens she made a name for herself locally, with her songs played on local radio and performing live. By the end of her teens she changed tack, inspired by the Bangles, Transvision Vamp and Ann Wilson from Heart, dropping the guitar in favour of a ‘rock chick’ makeover and fronting bands as a singer.
Her first band was named Foreign Affair, which may well be one of the most ‘eighties’ names for a band ever conceived!
Parenthood and Beyond
After marrying she had twin boys and abandoned the guitar to the loft, where it gathered dust for two decades.
Gordon Giltrap
In 2011 came the real turning point when she attended a Gordon Giltrap concert only to be invited to step in as support act when the opening act backed out. Encouraged enormously by Gordon, she played and sang a short set of cover versions, and even accompanied him at one point.
From this, and with Gordon’s support, she began to rebuild her musical career.
She quite soon put out her first release, a seven-track EP entitled Luna, which gathered some favourable attention. When she sent a copy to Gordon, he responded with amazement at the quality of her songwriting, saying that he had no idea she was such a strong writer as well as performer.
It was at this point that he really stepped in to become her chief mentor and an extremely close friend, and she puts a great deal of the success she has had down to his friendship and unflagging support.
Carrie & Gordon Giltrap
Carrie with Gordon Giltrap & Oliver Wakeman
What If
Three years later, in 2014, she finally put out her first full album ‘proper’, entitled “What If”, on which she was joined as guest musicians by not only Gordon but also Oliver Wakeman (son of Rick) and Ric Sanders from Fairport Convention.
Carrie was also picking up attention from her endorsement connections with Vintage / JHS guitars, her instrument of choice for some years and a source of constant support. She has also become the proud owner of a beautiful Fylde guitar, crafted by the great guitar-maker Roger Bucknall.
Seductive Sky
Seductive Sky was her next release in 2018 .
This time the sound was much richer, with a full band treatment on several of its tracks.
Once again there were guest players, Gordon Giltrap MBE, Oliver Wakeman and Elliott Randall.
The album demonstrates a quantum leap in terms of the subtlety and craftsmanship of her songwriting, both musically and lyrically.
She then got the chance to represent Vintage Guitars at the Namm Show in California showcasing her use of open tunings and partial capos.
Carrie & Elliot Randall
Entity
Entity followed Seductive Sky in 2020. Recorded partly by Mikey Scott, Carrie’s own son Ben, having only just finished his degree in sound engineering, stepped up to finish recording the last bits of the album after the pandemic took hold.
Mixed and mastered by Wayne Proctor of ‘House of Tone’ it once again saw Oliver Wakeman and Gordon Giltrap guesting with the addition of ex Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell on two of the tracks.
It gained great reviews, airplay and in 2021 Carrie returned to LA for another NAMM Show.
Evergreen
Evergreen followed three years later and managed to be Carrie’s most eclectic and varied collection yet, featuring tracks ranging from the delicate folk of ‘Lost In The Right Time’, through the soul-blues of ‘Deep Blue Heaven’ and the poppier ‘Girl With A Feather’, all the way to the prog-rock influences displayed on the ambitious eight-minute ‘Keep In The Light’.
Faith Artist
Another trip to NAMM over in LA in April 2023 sees Carrie’s career take another unexpected twist when she is spotted by Faith Guitars and invited to become a Faith Artist.
Having been an endorser with Vintage and having their support for a decade, the decision wasn’t an easy one. The opportunity was a huge leap forward for her and one she just couldn’t refuse. Faith guitars are now her preferred guitar although she does still play a couple of her Vintage models on stage.
May 23 brings a fantastic opportunity when Carrie is invited along with Gordon Giltrap MBE to join Rick Wakeman CBE and his son Oliver on stage at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury. The night was a huge success with Rick Wakeman quoting Carrie as “Phenomenal”.