I'm Amanda Carr and I use HelloBand
Amanda Carr is a singer/songwriter, born and raised in Massachusetts, where she displayed incredible musical talent from a young age. Clearly destined for stardom, her impressive and versatile vocal skills and musicianship saw her playing in multiple bands throughout her teenage years.
A move to California positioned her at the heart of Hollywood's entertainment scene, where she rubbed elbows with some of the industry's biggest names. Her experiences ranged from attending the Grammys to building friendships with notable celebrities, and even recording with the major label Capital Records during her time in Los Angeles. Amanda was a key member of several popular acts and seemed to be set to establish her own legacy. However, an unimaginable tragedy eventually led her back to New England, where she regained stability and became one of the region's most recognizable and sought after vocalists.
With five albums that have earned her millions of Spotify listeners and a dynamic presence on international stages, Amanda Carr is truly a remarkable artist. It is our honor to have Amanda as a HelloBand Featured Performer.
Amanda, what got you into music and performing?
"I started exploring music pretty early. I was about three, and I'd climb up on the piano bench and play these obscure chords and pretend to sing over them. It wasn't really until my early teens that I wanted to be a club entertainer like my mom. She was in a lounge band with my stepfather and Ben Graham, who was Lou Graham's brother from Foreigner. I would write out chord changes to songs I loved and at 14 I had a steady gig at a local restaurant. I got paid $45 a night."
What type of music are you most known for?
"I have what I call the '401k of musical tastes'. My recordings are all American Song Book in Big Band and I'm listed in the Smithsonian Institute as part of American Folk History. But I love playing pop music and singing a little bit of everything. I really enjoy musical diversity and playing and performing in all different situations, whether it's a symphony orchestra or with a rock band. Or what I'm doing a lot of now, which is my solo gig."
What were some of the challenges that shaped your music career?
"Well in my 20s, I was living in Los Angeles with my fiance Terry Jackson, who was a Grammy nominated bassist with some of the biggest names in the music business, like Thomas Dolby, Michael Jackson and Reba McIntyre. And being so close to him and many of the stars and situations of that time, I learned a lot about what it takes to be successful and stay grounded. One night after a concert with Reeba in San Diego, I decided not to go down and meet him and the band Sometimes I'd grab a flight with him if there was room. But that night the private plane crashed on takeoff on top of Otai Mountain, killing everyone on board, including my fiance and some close friends. That really changed my trajectory with what I wanted to do with my career. I wanted it to be my own journey. So, I returned back to Boston to explore what that might be."
What are some of the highlights of your career?
"There are a lot of them. Like singing the national anthem at Fenway Park. And being on national TV in front of a live audience of a half a million people for Fourth of July with the Boston Pops. Another one that stands out is being the featured vocalist at Boston's Symphony Hall on New Year's Eve to bring in 2018."
What is your favorite HelloBand feature"
"Well, doing more solo performances now I can't imagine not having HelloBand. All of the features are super helpful and necessary, but I personally like the table cards that people scan to find out more about me, my schedule and of course they can tip me through Venmo or Cash App. Also, send me requests or comments. This is particularly useful with people sitting farther away that aren't necessarily going to walk up and engage. HelloBand is a tremendous musical tool that connects me with everyone in the room. It's like the icing on my 'gig cake'! :)"