Carolyn Waters: Bio

Soulful Singer/Songwriter with a Message

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Carolyn has called New England home for over a decade. Her powerful, riveting voice has gained her a wonderful reputation as a crowd pleaser as she moves effortlessly from folk, gospel, jazz, to the good old fashioned foot stomping blues.     

"Carolyn's voice is amazing, captivating, compelling—any superlative will fit. I don't believe I have heard such a rich, velvety, and yes—bluesy—voice locally in years" -   Karen Nugent, Boston Blues Society - May 2010

Performing with various accompanying musicians ranging from a incredible single guitarist to her energetic/soulful trio (including guitar and percussion) to the full dynamic Carolyn Waters Band (with guitar, percussion, drums and dobro).  She has performed in a number of settings and venues including galas, coffeehouses, festivals, clubs, vigils, government and private functions in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Maryland and Virginia.  She has also had the privilege to open for a number of celebrated acts including Tom Rush and Judy Collins, Charles Williams, Kate Campbell and David Rovics.

"Carolyn's music is hypnotic, in a deeply soulful groove. You've heard it said that pure music seems to "flow" through a great singer? Go hear Carolyn to experience the real thing” - Pete and Maura Kennedy, The Kennedys.

Songwriter With a Message

Carolyn begun to write and introduce original songs into her performances over six years ago. Songs range from political to inspirational to the good old fashioned foot stomping rhythm and blues.

"Carolyn’s songs are personal and have an emotional quality that moves the soul. Her easy natural style communicates immediately with your heart. Her performance is calm but powerful, putting you at ease and making you feel that all is right with the world. I look forward to hearing Carolyn perform her wonderful creations in the future. The best is yet to come". Charles Williams, Vocal Performer/Teacher Recording Artist 

Recordings

Carolyn’s Debut CD “Count Me In” is Carolyn at her bluesy, jazzy best.  A collection of original songs, Carolyn effortlessly flows from contemporary to jazz to blues as she takes listeners on a reflective, soulful, intimate journey.   Her second CD 'On The Verge" is another collection of original songs that come from the heart.  It explores new beginnings, endings, strength and the yearning of people  to be loved and accepted. 

Carolyn has also taken part in multiple recording projects that reflect her commitment to use music as a tool to promote caring and positive social change. Her most recent project is the contribution of an original song entitled "A Family Christmas"  to 'Our Finest Gifts- Happy Holidays from the Greater Boston Music Scene', a Holiday Compilation CD whose proceeds benefit Small Can Be Big. SmallCanBeBig.org is a new way to help based on a simple premise: give everyone a more direct, more personal, more local and more shared way to help those in need, and big things can happen.

Her EP "Awakenings”, a short collection of a cappella and accompanied songs, was produced to benefit the Network for Women’s Lives, a Domestic Abuse Network operating within Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

In addition, Carolyn has teamed up with Child Care Professional Charlie Appelstein as a featured vocalist on his No Bad Kid Band CDs: "One-Line Raps for Girls and Chaps, Volume One" and “Parent Rapsody” – Songs and Musical Mantras for Successful Parenting.

For bookings or other inquiries, Carolyn can be contacted at: 781-883-5691 or cwatersmusic@aol.com

Appearances

WUMB Capital Campaign Gala Featuring Tom Rush and Judy Collins

"After a great introduction by WUMB's Dick Pleasants, local up-and-coming Blues/Gospel talent and WUMB Summer Acoustic Music Week student, Carolyn Waters amazed the audience with a few songs including a soulful rendition of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.”   WUMB Website (www.wumb.org/capitalcampaign)

Common Sense Songs - WBCR (97.7) Berkshires Radio - Featured Guest (Live Performance/Interview)

Circle of Friends Coffehouse - Franklin, Ma - Opener for Kate Campbell

North Street Coffeehouse- Medfield, Ma

Cantab Lounge - Cambridge, Ma (Central Square)

Main Streets Cafe- Concord, Ma - with the BACWaters Band

Savoury Lane - Acton, Ma *

Café Ziba - Acton, MA - Performer Series *

O'Naturals - Acton, MA - Featured Performer - NWL Benefit *

Webster House - Worcester, MA - Featured Performer *

Historic Old South Church - Boston, MA - Featured Soloist - O'Hearn - Pataki Wedding

"I can honestly say that Carolyn's singing at my wedding ceremony was one of my favorite wedding day moments. Several guests commented on the beauty of her voice and how wonderfully her sound carried in the stone chapel. She was a joy to have sing on our special day." Robin Pataki, Married August 19th, 2006

Boston Folk Festival - Boston, MA - SAMW Showcase (2006 and 2007)

Saint Mary's Church - Southbridge, MA - Featured Guest of Charles Williams**

Sit N' Bull Pub - Maynard, MA - Featured Performer

Main Street's Market & Cafe - Concord, MA - with Yes Indeed!

Acoustic Music TV - Featured Performer - (Cable TV   Appearance)

Acoustic Music TV - Featured Guest of - Bo Veaner - (Cable TV Appearance)

Halligans Royale Lounge - New Moon Folk Club - Auburn, MA - Featured Performer

Main Street's Market & Cafe - Concord, MA - with Breaktime (Featured Vocalist)

Network For Womens Lives Candle Light Vigil - The First Parish, Unitarian Universalist Church - Wayland, Ma - Presenter, Featured Vocalist (2008 & 2009) *

Mixed Magic Theatre - Pawtucket, RI - Poets and Players Series

Java Joe's (Starbucks) - Wayland, MA - Featured Performer

Rhode Island Council of Resource Providers for Children, Youth and Families - Annual Conference - Warwick, RI - No Bad Kids Band - Featured Vocalist

Domestic Violence Services Network - 10th Anniversary Gala - Featured Vocalist

 

* Multiple Appearances

** Charles Williams has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and in theaters and opera houses worldwide. In addition, he served as a vocal consultant to Sweet Honey in the Rock for more than a decade.

Other Performances

No Bad Kid Band

No Bad Kid Band performs a dynamic assortment of raps and melodies to help kids (and adults) self-manage behavior. Their first CD: One Line Raps for Girls and Chaps, Volume One which is comprised of original raps written by child care specialist Charles Appelstein is taking the child welfare field by storm. Richard Lavoie (Author of It's So Much Work To Be Your Friend and Visiting Professor, Simmons College) says “Charlie Applestein & friends have a hit on their hands!! Charlie has taken his immense understanding of troubled kids and used it to reach kids through their favorite medium.... music.


Their second CD: Parent Rapsody, Songs and Musical Mantras for Successful Parenting has been described as a novel approach to parent education which combines rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, and engaging melodies to promote core child-rearing practices.

“At a recent recording session, a good friend of mine, after listening to Carolyn sing, commented “She sounds like Ella Fitgerald!” My response: “No, Ella sounds like Carolyn.” Although she was blessed with a soulful, vibrant voice, I continue to be impressed with how hard Carolyn works at her craft. She has performed on my first two CDs, and like a fine wine, gets better with time. Carolyn has the kind of voice that makes listeners forget about their problems and feel wonderfully at peace.”

Charlie Appelstein, MSW
National Youth Care Specialist
Author of No Such Thing As a Bad Kid
Producer of the popular self-help parenting CD: Parent Rapsody – Songs and Musical Mantras for Successful Parenting