RIDING HIGH
as appears in January 2007 edition of Country Music Capital News
By Deborah Minter

CARTER & CARTER are celebrating the release of their fourth CD Leap Before You Look, and yet another Golden Guitar nomination for their single Ride. 

“We have been nominated for Golden Guitars I think 8 or 9 times now,” Merelyn said. “They are hard to win. Candlelight and Kisses (which won the couple the Golden Guitar for Best Group/Duo in 2003) was such an unexpected thrill. We feel it is an honour just to be in the Top 5, especially alongside such well-regarded artists.” 

The single Ride was the only song released in 2006 as the couple worked on song writing and producing the new album. Along with the 2004 single Play That Song, Ride also broke into the Top 5 in the country charts. “Merelyn had an experience with a very flighty thoroughbred racing horse,” David explained where the concept had originated. “He took of at a gallop for the nearest low hanging tree and tried to knock her off. Not my girl; she had a great ride on that horse. The look in her eye was a little bit of fear but a whole lot of excitement. This is the essence of what Ride is about – finding something that makes you feel alive and part of that feeling is because you’re not totally in control.”

“We used to perform in a ‘bikers’ pub in Melbourne,” Merelyn added. “First we used to be a bit scared of them, but we soon realised that most of them were just big teddy bears in leathers. It was a great experience and eye opener for me to see the respect they had for others, contrary to popular opinion. Hearing them talk about getting out on the road on their Harley’s probably helped inspire this side of Ride.”

After the 2004 release of the Acoustic Gospel album, Leap Before You Look is a return to the contemporary genre of Dance Away The Night and Every Minute. “It’s fun, it's energetic and it’s all original,” David said. “There are emotional highs and heart string pullers; there are loud and proud moments, and tender reflections on life.”

“After Acoustic Gospel we found people pigeonholing us as ‘Gospel Singers’,” Merelyn said. “It is frustrating as there are so many aspects to our music. We like that all our music inspires people. I think both David and I have developed into compassionate people, respecting of all aspects of personal beliefs. That’s not religion; it’s integrity.”

“I think Leap Before You Look really reflects on how we try to live our lives,” David said. “We follow our hearts, and sometimes that definitely requires some leaping.”

“A lot of times you just have to take a jump into the unknown,” Merelyn agreed. “In 2006 it all seemed to come together; it was the creative year we had been waiting for. Leap Before You Look is the expression of that.”

“I've always believed that sometimes not taking a chance because of fear can mean missing out on some incredible opportunities,” David added. “This doesn't work for everyone, but it does for us. It has led to some of the most rewarding times in our lives.”

As usual for a Carter & Carter album, the lead vocals are shared. The emotionally intense songs are voiced by Merelyn, but David’s seem to be about escapism and working hard at being a couch potato.

“In actual fact David is definitely the more romantic of the two of us,” Merelyn smiled. “That said, David is most definitely ‘domestically challenged’. I’ve given up trying to crack the whip – it just wastes energy!”

“Hey!” David objected. “I protest!… although there was the case of slight electrocution when repairing a dishwasher that Merelyn never lets me forget.”

“If I could make it my signature tune without getting in domestic trouble Puttin’ Off Til’ Tomorrow would be a high contender,” he joked. “But Open Road is definitely my theme song. I love pointing the car towards the horizon, turning up the radio and enjoying the scenery.”

“David is into a bit of escapism,” Merelyn said. “I love nature and the country too. Maybe we escape for different reasons, but the result is the same – we like to get away from it all and relax.”

At the beginning of 2004 Carter & Carter went into negotiations for a major record deal with a label that was branching out into the country genre. The deal would have seen their music taken world-wide.

“It was very exciting,” Merelyn said. “We spent six months working on that and as a result we recorded Play That Song. Somewhere between finishing that and getting onto the rest of the album, the whole thing fell off the rails.”

Regretfully, the record company couldn’t raise the finance required for the expansion plans. “They treated us with great respect,” Merelyn said. “They understood our songs are very special to us. We need to keep creative control, so being independent has been great in that regard. However, it would be great to have a bigger team around us to take care of everyday business; people who share the vision of what we want to achieve with our music.”

Merelyn has been a mentor to many young aspiring artists, lately in the role as a tutor at the College of Country Music. “I get great personal satisfaction in helping others reach their potential,” Merelyn said. “Being a tutor at college is great, challenging, and fun! It’s not like we know everything, but we don’t mind sharing the things we could have done better in a hope that is might help others from making the same mistakes.”

Leap Before You Look will have its official launch at a free concert at TREC on Thursday 25 January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

With songs that touch the hearts of fans far and wide, mistakes for Carter & Carter are few and the Ride is breathtaking.

Carter & Carter Interview with Deb Minter about their new album - January 2007

CARTER & CARTER are amongst Australia’s most loved Country Music couples. With the release of their fourth CD Leap Before You Look, good friend and Country Music Capital News writer Deb Minter went one on one with DAVID and MERELYN.

Deb: 2003 had a stunning start, with Candlelight & Kisses winning you the Golden Guitar. You’ve been nominated in the Golden Guitars for Best Group Duo again in 2007 for Ride. As we go to press the tallies are in and it’s out of your hands. How does it feel to be so close to the podium once again?

Merelyn: We have been nominated for Golden Guitar 7 times now. They are hard to win. Candlelight and Kisses was such an unexpected thrill. But it is just an honour to be in the Top 5. Everyone in the finals of any awards probably deserves to win, as do many who don’t make it there. Being there is great, winning would be even greater, but we are also going to be happy for the winners whoever they are.

Deb: Ride is a song of escape and personal freedom. Where did the concept come from?

Merelyn: We used to work in a ‘bikers’ pub in Melbourne every Friday night for a year.  First we used to be a bit scared of them, but we soon realised that most of them were just big teddy bears in leathers. It was a great experience and eye opener for me to see the respect they had for others, contrary to popular opinion. Sure there were some bad eggs, but mostly they were great. Hearing them talk about getting out on the road on their Harley’s probably helped inspire this side of Ride.

David: One of the reasons this song came about was an experience Merelyn had on a thoroughbred racing horse. She was offered a ride at a horse stud place and being a girl that loves a challenge she immediately said yes. When Merelyn got on his back, he took of at a gallop for the nearest low hanging tree in the paddock and tried to knock her off. She regained control and had a great ride on a very flighty horse. The look in her eye was a little bit of fear but a whole lot of excitement. This is the essence of what Ride is about – finding something that makes you feel alive and part of that feeling is because you’re not totally in control.

Deb: Ride was the only single released in 2006. You have a great body of work; how difficult is it to find one stand-out song as a single - to put your faith in that one song - win or lose? After all, with an album you have 10 or 12 tracks to choose from.

Merelyn: We write every song to be a single. That is our belief in our songs and how much we work on them before we record them. However, not all turn out to be single material. Choosing a single before an album is released is harder than afterwards, because once it’s out there, there are a lot of opinions from fans and industry to draw upon. Before that it is our opinion of which one we think the public will love. It is a bit scary particularly as it costs so much to promote each single. We put a lot of thought into it, but in the end we usually go with our gut reaction and see what happens. We have been very lucky so far.

Deb: The new album Leap Before You Look is back in the contemporary genre of Dance Away The Night and Every Minute.

David: This is definitely a direction that suits Carter & Carter. It’s up, it’s fun, it’s all original and it’s indicative of our live shows. It’s contemporary, it takes some risks, it's energetic; it is very much like our life. There are emotional highs and heart string pullers, there are loud and proud moments, and tender reflections on life. It’s definitely Carter & Carter, but it really shows a growth in our song writing and shows how much we love to perform. Music is essential to our lives and we hope the importance of the story behind the song is evident in every moment of this album. We’ve got a great bunch of musicians, most of whom are friends now, who play with us on these songs.  They know who we are and what we want to express, which has made it such a creative experience all round. Everyone has been incredibly excited about the direction. This is a country album Carter & Carter style.

Deb: What’s behind the title track Leap Before You Look? It seems a strange play on words.

Merelyn: 2005 was a year of a bit of personal struggle, when we both had to sort out our priorities, set some new goals and activate a few new dreams. A lot of times you just have to take a jump into the unknown. In 2006 it all seemed to come together; it was the creative year we had been waiting for. We got direction, we got ourselves sorted out in our own heads, we were able to move on together into what we knew would be a very exciting time for us both. Leap Before You Look is the expression of that.

David: I think it really reflects on how we try to live our lives. We follow our hearts, and sometimes that definitely requires some leaping. The song in a poetic way is about how Merelyn and I followed our dreams and how we got together. Doing music as a full time career is all about taking chances and hanging it all out there for whatever happens. There are definitely leaping before you look moments when we are just hanging on to see how we land. I've always believed that sometimes not taking a chance because of fear can mean missing out on some incredible opportunities. This doesn't work for everyone, but it does for us. It is who we are and has led to some of the most rewarding times in our lives.

Deb: Merelyn’s songs seem focussed on feelings and emotion experiences; David’s seem to be about escapism and - let’s face it - avoidance of physical exertion. Is David really the lounge lizard slacker and does Merelyn really have to wield the whip at home?

Merelyn: Ha funny. That’s actually a good question and an interesting take on us. In actual fact David is definitely the more romantic of the two of us and more emotional in his outlook on life. I spend a lot of time pondering life and what it means and how I fit in but not really from an emotional point of view. But I also feel other people’s emotions very strongly on occasions and I certainly get moved by life’s experiences. I am a bit of a studier of human nature.

That said, David is most definitely ‘domestically challenged’ and will admit it. I have given up trying to crack the whip – it just wastes my energy!  David is into a bit of escapism.  I’m not really but I do love nature and the country and am not terribly fond of city life so I am more than keen to get away from it all too.  Maybe we escape for different reasons, but the result is the same – we like to get away from it all and relax.   We wish we could do that more often.

David: I must protest that I am ‘domestically challenged’ or though there was the case of slight electrocution when repairing a dishwasher that Merelyn never lets me forget.

Open Road is definitely my theme song from the album. As a musician the business side of music is a big part of what we do and can be very draining for creative people even though we know it has to be done. Getting out and going to a show involves pointing the car in the right direction, turning up the radio and enjoying the scenery around us. If I have a great CD on I can drive for hours. Oh and if I could make it my theme song without getting in trouble Puttin’ Off Til’ Tomorrow would be a high contender.

Deb: So is each song is a real compilation of both of you - or does Merelyn mostly write the emotional songs and David responsible for the escapism songs?

Merelyn: Definitely a compilation. Puttin’ Off ‘Til Tomorrow is as much mine as it is David’s. We are very different in our natures, but also very similar too. I guess that’s why it works for us. We are both so passionate about our music and about our lives in general. There have been some great arguments over songs. We are not ashamed of that. It is part of who we are. David and I come from completely different musical backgrounds. Dave grew up on BON JOVI and harder rock bands and I loved fluffy gospel pop like AMY GRANT. Try putting those two styles together and please us both. Over the years our tastes have grown together. We both love the ballads and we both love to rock it out. It is getting easier to make us both happy

David: We have written and co-written all twelve songs – fulfilling another dream of ours.  We take song writing very seriously. Songs have the ability to move people, and we want our songs to be stories that touch people’s lives.

Deb: It must have been a very emotional year for you especially Merelyn, with your little girl Amy getting married. I know the readers will be astonished to discover that your daughters are actually old enough to leave home. Do you find your songwriting has reflected on the actual emotions you’ve been experiencing?

Merelyn: I am a little self conscious about having a child getting married; I still feel 21 myself! I was so very young myself when I had the girls; definitely a child bride. Then, after the divorce, the girls and I spent almost five years with just the three of us, and it was an amazing time of bonding and forming a very special type of relationship. The words in My Little Girl are about as personal and emotional as I can express. There are some things a mum needs to keep close to her heart. David was a big part of writing the song, but it definitely comes from a mother’s point of view.

David: I came into the girl’s lives when they were very young, so I definitely feel as proud of them as any father could. It was such a thrill when Amy asked me to walk her down the aisle along with her natural father.

Deb: The title track Leap Before You Look is an autobiography of your meeting and marriage. Truthfully, was your union something inevitable or was it truly a leap of faith - as a single mum, Merelyn must’ve been carrying some baggage and David was a year or two younger, taking on a readymade family.

Merelyn: Baggage? What baggage? Ha! I know that when David and I met there was a lot going on in my life, but I pretty much had it sorted out before we got married. It was a big challenge for David to marry three hormonal girls! He is a great husband and father and we have been so lucky that he handles it all as well as he does. David is very loyal and loves with his whole heart – we are the lucky ones to be the recipients of that.

David: From the outside looking in it may seem like Merelyn came with a lot of baggage but from my point of view particularly now looking back I’d say all that stuff was more like bonuses.

Deb: Your music of hope and thankfulness for simple joys is different from the classic country stereotype of lost love, betrayal, hillbilly moonshine, mom, grandpa or the dog dying and evading the long arm of the law. Is that a conscious effort to show the world that it can be full of love and joy?

Merelyn: I wish the world WAS full of love and joy. There are some very terrible things going on all the time. Man’s inhumanity to man constantly astounds and devastates me. Most of the time I could throw my hands up in despair because there is so much hurt and anger and sadness, so many people without hope. But I figure I have two choices, get caught up in the problem or be part of the solution. I know it is a cliché, but I make the conscious choice everyday to find something good in the world, to look for the best in people, to be part of the hope that I know is there. Notice I said make a conscious choice, that’s what it is for me, a decision each day to aim for peace.

David: Ditto for me.

Deb: Do you ever feel like writing a tragedy?

Merelyn: Nope, but I have written some very sad songs. Maybe one day one of them might make an album!

David: Every sad song we have ever written has never made it past our record producers or co-producers. There will be an album down the track where these songs will appear but I have a tendency to look for the positive outcome in even sad songs. Hope is something that we could all have a little more of.

Deb: Being independent takes a lot of courage, not to mention financial commitment. Last year you came very close to signing a major record deal.

Merelyn: It was very exciting. The company had plans to expand into country music and we were their first artist choice. We recorded Play That Song with the enthusiastic backing of the company. Sadly, their plans for expansion fell through. That is just a fact of life sometimes. We all had good intentions, but sometimes things happen in business and the money just ain’t there. I live by the thought that it’s not what happens to us in life that shapes us; it is what we do with what happens that can make the difference.

Deb: Each song you have released so far has been created and developed by yourselves. How vital is that creative control to keeping Carter & Carter as your own ‘baby?’

Merelyn: Our songs are very special to us. We don’t want to be directed somewhere we don’t want to go, so being independent has been great in that regard. However, it would be good to have a bigger team around us to take care of everyday business; people who share the vision of what we want to achieve with our music. The right deal would be a big bonus.

Deb: People are always trying to put your music into this or that pigeonhole - Gospel, Ballad, Love Song singers. How frustrating is that - especially after the release of your last CD Acoustic Gospel?

Merelyn: It is frustrating to just be called one thing or another; there are so many aspects to our music. I know that gospel music is a strengthener for many people. The old classic songs we did on the album are a reflection of our upbringing with all the great bible stories, carols and joyous rousing hymns and songs. I think both David and I have developed into compassionate people, respecting of all aspects of personal beliefs. We like that our music inspires people. The nights are never as dark as they may seem and sometimes people just need a word, or a song, to bring them light. The new songs we wrote are a reflection of our desire to find some light for the world.

Deb: Being one of Australia’s top duos for several years now has opened many doors for you - appearing as a main act on many prestigious Festivals and events and now being able to write with some of Australia’s finest songwriters - BRENDON WALMSLEY, MICHAEL CARR and DARREN COGGAN. How difficult is it to adapt your quite distinctive style to the input of others?

Merelyn: We don’t adapt, we just share. It is such a creative process to write with someone else. There is compromise, but it is very good and most of the time very easy.  When you hear our songs written with people such as Brendon, Mike and Darren you can hear their influences as well as our own.  That is why we choose to co-write, it is about getting a different colour into our music, and also about the joy of having such great people and friends on our record. We have written songs on each album now with Rene Ford who just writes lyrics. She has a way of approaching a story that is different to ours, but so right for us. It is very creative.

Deb: Merelyn, you’ve been a mentor to many young aspiring artists, both through your generous hearted advice and role as a tutor at the College of Country Music. What does it feel like to be accepted not only by your peers, but by the paramount industry chiefs as someone who is a valuable asset to the music community with knowledge and experience to guide the youth of country music?

Merelyn: Wow that makes it sound pretty flash. It sometimes feels like people (artists) are too scared to share what they know in case they get overtaken by the ones they help. If we can help other artists improve their music by sharing something of what we know then it is not only good for them, but also the industry as a whole, and therefore for us too. I get great personal satisfaction in helping others reach their potential. Being a tutor at college is great, very satisfying and challenging, and fun! There is also something to be said about helping others to learn by your own mistakes. It’s not like we have got it all right, but we don’t mind sharing the things we could have done better either in a hope that is might stop others from making the same mistakes. 

Q&A as appeared in November Issue of Country Music Capital News  

What’s been happening for you in 2006?

This is an exciting year for us as we are recording a new album.  A creative year is always a good one.  RIDE is the first single from our new record and we are currently writing madly and back in the studio this month to finish the album off.  We have spent a lot of time on this one, which has been great. We are also putting together a DVD of what’s happened with Carter & Carter so far – that’s fun!  We have both been producing other artists too which has stretched us musically and creatively.  That has been really good for our own music as we can think further outside of our own box.

 What music do you listen to?

 Merelyn – I listen to instrumental classical music mostly when I need to unwind.  David calls it whale calling music.  It calms me and I can’t sing along and analyse the lyrics and melody, so that is good.

 David - Brad Paisley is big in our stereo and car at the moment.  And there’s always Keith Urban and Amanda Marshall.  All great singers and songwriters.

 What is your favourite film that is about music?

 Merelyn – I love La Bamba which is the Richie Vallens story.  I don’t know whether it is because of the story or Lou Diamond Phillips!  I also love Moulin Rouge and The Producers has been giving me a laugh lately.

What is the quickest song you have written and which song took the longest to write? 

Dance Away the Night took us about 1 hour to write – that must have been a moment of inspiration.  Lead Me Home which I think is equally inspired took seven years.  Writing is from the heart for us so it happens when it happens – I don’t think we can force that.

Even when we are writing to a deadline, it comes from stuff that’s been brooding for a long time.  Having said that, if you asked us to sit and write a commercial song today, we could do it.  There is a lot of songs in our heads ready to be written.

 Who have been your greatest musical influences?

 Merelyn – I am influenced more by songs than by artists.  There are so many both classic and contemporary that give me inspiration.  Amy Grant has always been my starting point.  It is because someone gave me one of her records for my 21^st birthday that I am singing and song writing today.  I love her heart and the ability she has to lay her heart on the table and be so honest and at times vulnerable.  I love that. 

David – I grew up on Bon Jovi and other quite heavy bands, as well as greats like Kenny Rogers and Dolly.  Mum and Dad always had some country music in the stereo.   I too am about the song and am inspired by stories of life.  It’s a lot about hook and melody for me as well.

 What do you enjoy the most about co-writing?

Merelyn – Co-writing is the main way I write.  I love working with other people and love bouncing ideas and letting the creative energy flow between us.  It is not always easy to find someone you can co-write successfully with.  I feel lucky as almost every time I have sat down with someone we have written a decent song.

David – It’s great to share ideas and add different colours to my own writing.  Other people challenge and stretch my thinking.  That’s good for my writing.  Merelyn and I always have to work hard to get to that compromise in our songs where we are both happy.  Even though that is not easy, it means we get the best song.

 Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?

For this album we have been collaborating with Mike Carr and Brendon Walmsley, two colleagues who we respect their song writing so much.  This has come about due to opportunity as much as planning, and we think that is great, because things that happen spontaneously always have a freshness about them.  That makes for great songs.

What’s your favourite song that you’ve written?

Merelyn – Lead Me Home – if a song takes seven years to write you have to love it.

David – My favourite changes as each time I write a new song, I am challenged to make it my best, and my best becomes my favourite.

What song written by another writer do you wish you had written and why?

Merelyn – Amy Grant’s  Faithless Heart.  This is one of the most honest songs I have heard and it came in a time in my life that I needed that honesty.  It challenges me to open my soul and be vulnerable so that others might be touched by my songs.

Why lyric can’t you get out of your head?

David – I’m like most muso’s, when a hook gets in your head off the radio, or at a gig, it stays there for a while – and keeps me awake at night and probably Merelyn too because apparently I sing in my sleep.

What is the best career advice you were ever given?

David – Work smarter not harder – my dad says that – I’m still putting it into practice.

If you were not a songwriter, what might you have ended up doing?

David – I don’t know, I can’t imagine doing anything else

Merelyn – probably a vet

What is your pet hate?

After the first two bars of sound check at a club someone yells out –‘ turn it down - do  you think we’re deaf.’ 

What moment in your life would you relive if you could?

Merelyn – the first time I saw my babies

David – the day I married Merelyn

Who is your dream duet partner?

Expected Answer:

Merelyn – David

David – Merelyn

Real Answer:

Merelyn – Johnny Depp

David – Meagan Gale

 When they look back on your life in 40 years what do you hope people say about you?

I hope it will be said ‘Gee they were talented’ not just that we work hard!

CAPITAL NEWS PROFILER 20 QUESTIONS

In April edition 2002

 1. Can you remember how much was in your first pay packet and what you spent it on?

(M) I can remember my first ‘decent’ pay packet in music.  I was really really broke at the time (as musicians can be from time to time) and I got a gig in a 60’s concept band – you know false eye lashes, choreography and the works, and my first weekend of gigs gave me just over $300.  I was so excited, I spread the cash out on the bed and rolled on it – truly I did!

 2. What type of car did you learn to drive in?

(D) I got the hand-me–down from my sister which was a Morris Minor, a manual which Mum and Dad had bought second-hand and my sister put through the wringer during the first few years she was driving.  I learnt to drive it at the then VFL Park which was great as there was lots of open space and if you ran of the road it didn’t matter too much. 

 3. What type of car do you currently drive?

We have a beat up old blue FORD XF station wagon (only two door handles) and an equally beat up old Magna.  The FORD is usually our touring car but it doesn’t have a heater, so if it’s winter we try to take the Magna.

 4. First job on leaving school?

(M)  I worked in a real estate office.  I even got my sales person license and sold one house.  I didn’t like the whole sales thing so I left to work at the CSIRO.

 5. What’s the worst task or job you’ve ever been given?

(D) The worst job that I can ever remember was a show we were booked at short notice to play in the snowfields at Bright in Melbourne. We were booked as our cover band ‘Spit The Dummy’ and set off on the Saturday to drive the 4 hours to Bright. On the Hume highway we felt a funny vibration followed by the unbelievable sight of our trailer tyre passing us and spinning on down the highway. Luckily we were able to stop without too many problems and the wheel, which continued on down the middle of the highway, didn’t hit anybody else. We called for a tow truck and managed to get our trailer (and the gear in it) to the next town where we had to hire a trailer, at exorbitant rates, to continue on to the show.  We finally got there an hour late, had no tea and set up very quickly only to play 3 sets over 4 hours to 3 people and the bar staff. In the end the money we made was used to pay for the trailer repairs and the temporary trailer hire. Definitely a show from hell.

 6. Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane?

(M)  Keith Urban – well what girl wouldn’t?

 7. If you could change jobs for a day what would you do?

(M)  I can’t think of anything else in the world that I’d rather do.

 (D)  I’d love to have the chance to be part of producing the computer special effects for a movie.

8. Your favourite TV show is?

(D) The Simpsons and Seinfeld (when it was on) – because we don’t get the chance to watch a lot of TV I enjoy short half hour shows that give you a good laugh or a really good movie.

9. The last book you read?

(D) I am currently reading ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Book 2 of the Alliance of Light, a fantasy novel by Janny Wurts.

10. Favourite movie is?

(M) Too many to name them all – La Bamba, Dracular Dead and Loving It, Star Trek V (the one with the whales in it), Notting Hill.  We quote movies around here – it’s quite bizzare.

11. The sport you most enjoy watching?

(M) None

 (D) Cricket (particularly one-days), Olympics and then Aussie Rules footy

12. If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?

(D) Richie Sambora, the guitarist from Bon Jovi. I’ve always been a big fan of his guitar work and he’s married to Heather Locklear.

13. What is your favourite food?

(M)  Anything someone else cooks for me.

 (D) Fish and chips

14. Can/Do you cook?

(D) I have learnt how to cook over the last few years but my repertoire consists mainly of frozen lasagne, nachos, pancakes, toasted sandwiches, egg omelettes, laksa. But I make a mean cup of coffee.

15. How do you deal with difficult people in the audience?

(M)  Mostly I get them up on stage and see if they can do any better than we are doing.  Usually they crack then, stop hassling us and start enjoying the show.

16. What song do you never want to hear again?

(M) Any song that I have sung badly!

 (D) ‘Dancing Queen’ & ‘Mamma Mia’ by ABBA both great songs but I’ve sung them too many times to enjoy them any more.

17. You’ve just bought a new house, where would that be?

(M)  On a flat block on top of a mountain, overlooking the sea, close enough to have all the benefits of the city at hand, but far enough away not to hear the traffic, and big enough to house our menagerie of animals.

18. Your favourite holiday destination to date has been?

(M) Tangalooma Island  - I loved the dolphins, and the sheer beauty of the place.

CARTER & CARTER

BEHIND THE HITS

The combination of David and Merelyn Carter has been a breath of fresh air for many country music fans, but they have not had much time to take a deep breath themselves as they ride the independent country music roller-coaster.

"Since the first #1 hit, we've had just one week off," said Merelyn, "but when something takes off, you have to go with it"

The expectations of music fans are always high, and it must be daunting for any artist to experience the pressure of following one success with another.

"So far we've been very lucky," David observed. "Having songs like A Little Place Called Love and Easy Making Love as follow-up radio singles kept the momentum going."

To complement the songs they write themselves, the success of the first album has been a major factor in lifting the amount of quality material offered for the next release. Music publishers and songwriters have been quick to recognise the potential of having a song with the Carter & Carter stamp.

"Hundreds of songs have flooded in from around the world and we've narrowed it down to around 20 for final consideration," said Merelyn, "but as songwriters ourselves, we like to write up to the last moment before we hit the studio, so anything can still happen."

The other factor with any Carter & Carter song is the ability is to transpose them successfully to live performance, and the fans are also a very important factor in the equation when choosing songs for the new album.

"People say they love a particular song because its story touches their hearts," continued David, "and that’s what we try to capture in our performances and albums. Because the first album has done so many things, there is an increased expectation of the second album. Still it’s a pressure we are happy to have."

"Co-writers have been a real boost, and talented people like Rene Ford and Jane Robertson have made writing good songs a lot easier."

Apart from songwriters, there are a lot of people involved in the Carter & Carter success story. Radio, media and the fans have all played an integral part in the story.

David reflected "We've been doing music for quite a few years, but until we started doing country music, we hadn’t had such an incredible response from people. It's been refreshing for us musically - country music is about building relationships with people - it's not just about getting up and singing another song. At a recent show we played for 45 minutes and spoke to people for another two and a half hours – we love that!"

"We also have a great producer, Herm Kovac, who understands us and our music, and whilst the challenges of the next album are a little intimidating, we're excited about the whole process," said Merelyn, "and radio has been fantastic. We owe a lot to Herm and to those media supporters for our success."

Is the Carter & Carter story evolving how the talented duo wrote it three years ago?

"We always planned for more than one album," said Merelyn "The success of the first has certainly helped, but if it hadn't gone as well, we'd still be doing the next one. Dance Away The Night has really been confirmation for us that we're doing the right thing."

It's been very much a self-controlled career to date. The pair has worked incessantly to promote themselves and their music.

"Having the hits has made it a lot easier" said David, "but at the end of the day, we are basically our own record company, publicist, and touring manager. It helps to maintain control and keep a finger on the direction, but you can work 24 hours a day and there's still more to do."

Are there plans for that to change in the future?

"We'd love to have a record company that worked alongside us " said Merelyn, "but it would have to be the right people."

When the pressures build up, are there any secrets for coping and moving on?

Merelyn's final words succinctly reflect the passion inherent in so many successful artists. "There are some days when I understand how people can feel like giving up because it's too hard. But then I remember that the reason I'm doing this is because I just couldn't do anything else. You have to love music to be in this deep, and when we get down we think ’tomorrow will be a better day’ – and it usually is!"

Mike Smith