Biography

Audiences don’t just hear the tender, spine-tingling vocals in the roots-based, Southern-influenced Americana music of Carolann Ames; they feel the heart and soul and passion behind them.

More than once likened to an angel with supernatural powers, the guitar- and piano-playing singer-songwriter born in Wyoming and raised in Houston has earned an armful of awards and honors in just a few years, topped by her grand prize win in the 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Her latest album, the independently released SO LONG ABILENE, showcases Ames’ talent for capturing the feelings of life, a musician’s life on the road, following a dream, love, tragedy, hope, joy while describing the sun and snow and other landscapes in her songs — including “Love is a Wildfire,” “Bridgewater Creek” and the title track — as well as the disc’s only cover, Elton John’s “Where to Now, St. Peter?”

Ames’ way with evocative word-pictures brought her the JLSC grand prize for “West Virginia,” on her album SHADES OF INDIGO, and the 2008 CD of the Year Award from Kweevak.com along with nominations, honorable mentions and finalist status in many other songwriting competitions.

Backing her up for about five years, onstage starting in San Diego and in the studio, are Hector Maldonado on guitar and bass, Melissa Harley on fiddle, and Ken Dow on bass. Like Ames, they each came from a musical family. And like Ames, they share a passion for making their music and making it together as they tour nationally.

Booking: Candace Andrews, 858.832.8059; info@carolannames.com

Radio Promotion: Joe Estrada, 562.437.7858; losdude52@aol.com

Media Contact: Heidi Labensart, McGuckin Entertainment PR, 512.478.0578; heidi@mcguckinpr.com

"Given how the current glut of Americana artists has devalued , to come across one that restores your faith in the genre is some kind of miracle. San Diego’s Carolann Ames, Grand Prize winner in the 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, she’s touched by angels as her rich, supple voice (a cross between Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Shania Twain) soars skyward. Ames traverses the Americana spectrum without repeating herself a single time, and it’s this journey she takes you on that’ll be your ticket to heaven.
Fred Mills , HARP MAGAZINE

“Ms. Ames has time and again proven that she is without a doubt the real deal. A “true” singer/songwriter, creating real music...she seems to be able to put into song what the vast majority of us can’t seem to say in our daily lives.”
Dusk Rodgers, CatsAsk.com

"A most refreshing wordsmith/songwriter whose time has come …Americana lives!
Douglas Rowe, Acoustic Avenue WNKU 89.7 Public Radio
"Besides being an electrifying performer, she is also a top flight writer and producer", Lonny Brooks ,Taylor Guitars


-Winner: Grand Prize in the 2004 John Lennon Songwriting
Contest
-Winner: Top 20 CD's 2008 Kweevak.com
-Finalist 2007 WeAreListening.com Singer/Songwriter Awards
-Honorable Mention 2006 Billboard Song Contest
-Honorable Mention -2006 Great American Song Contest
-Honorable Mention 2005 Performing Songwriter Magazine
-Winner CD of the Year Kweevak.com
-Nominated for Best Americana in the 2005 San Diego Music Awards
-Finalist in the National Independent Music Awards