Biography

Other Releases
https://airplaydirect.com/CarlBentleyTheseAreMine

For Bookings:
Carl Bentley
317-402-6654
carlbentley@carlbentley.com
https://www.carlbentley.com

See Review by Bluegrass Unlimited
https://bluegrassunlimited.com/article/carl-bentley/

See Review of "These Ole Blues" by John Lawless of Bluegrass Today.
https://bluegrasstoday.com/these-old-blues-debut-single-for-carl-bentley/

The Tunes
1. These Ole Blues
Carl's rendition of "These Ole Blues" is not just a tribute to Larry Sparks, but also a different spin on a song that has been sung and recorded by several groups through the years. You will hear Carl play a solo on the guitar that makes his Spark’s influence pretty evident. Carl’s ability to make a song his own is second to none.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals/Guitar/Baritone Vocal
Rick Hayes - Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

2. Trains Don't Run Here Anymore
Carl wrote the song "Trains Don't Run Here Anymore" about the decline of the railroad industry in Eastern Kentucky and other rural areas of America. The song features Carl on guitar in the opening and outro of the song and very strong and lonesome fiddle work by Tim Crouch throughout. Clay Hess compliments with his bluesy banjo style to round out the instrument arrangement. You can almost hear a locomotive chugging down the line and you will be taken back in time to a place were kids would leave pennies on the track and running across train trestles when the lonesome sound of the engine is moaning in the distance.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals, Baritone Vocals, Guitar
Rick Hayes - Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Clay Hess - Banjo
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

3. Where The Sun Never Shines
Carl wrote "Where The Sun Never Shines" in tribute to all coal miners. Carl's dad, grand- fathers, uncles and most families he grew up around in eastern Kentucky were coal miners. The song is their story and the story of any man or woman who has crawled under a mountain to keep the lights on. The lonesome fiddle of Tim Crouch and the tight vocal harmonies of Carl and Ronnie Stewart make this song a treat for listeners.
Tribute Video
https://youtu.be/sN6nFQ0wAjQ

Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals
Rick Hayes - Rhythm Guitar/Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

4. Tennessee Truck Driving Man
Carl's rendition of the Stanley Brother's classic “Tennessee Truck Driving Man” is second to none. You will hear strong vocals, tight harmonies, and excellent musicianship.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals/Guitar/Baritone Vocals
Rick Hayes - Rhythm Guitar/Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal
Clay Hess - Banjo


5. God Bless A Soldier
Carl touches the heart of all americans with God Bless A Soldier. The song tells the story of young men in uniform and their sacrifices. You will hear powerful lyrics coupled with excellent musicianship and tight vocal harmonies to compliment.
This song will leave you teary eyed.
Credit
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals/Guitar/Baritone Vocals
Rick Hayes - Rhythm Guitar/Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

Tribute Video
https://youtu.be/TVYsaSsZ5vM
6. Sticks And Stones
Carl reminds listeners of his love for country music with his rendition of "Sticks And Stones". Last recorded country by Tracy Lawrence in the 90's, Carl's reboot of the song is second to none. You will hear Carl's wide vocal range as he goes from the lows to highs and coupled with very tight harmonies provided by Carl and Ronnie Stewart. From the beginning to end you will hear the soulful and tasteful fiddle work of Tim Crouch throughout the song. Rick Hayes shares mandolin and guitar duties on the number to finalize this partnership of strong vocals and playing.

Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals, Baritone Vocals, Guitar
Rick Hayes - Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

7. Where The Corn Don't Grow
Carl's rendition of "Where The Corn Don't Grow" is a tribute to Waylon Jennings cut of it. You will hear the progressive mandolin style of Rick Hayes and bluesy banjo style of Clay Hess ringing through. Carl's strong vocal ability is evident as he bounces from high to low through out the song.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Rick Hayes - Rhythm Guitar/Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Clay Hess - Banjo
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

8. Gonna Catch A Train
Gonna catch a train was written by Ed Hamilton. Ed was Carl's second cousin. Carl Changed the third verson of the song to pay tribute to Ed. The verse includes the titles of 4 of Ed's song including the Longview hit "Lonesome Old Home". You will hear driving instrumentation and tight vocal harmonies that reminds us traditional bluegrass is alive and well.
Credits:
Carl Bentley - Guitar/Lead Vocals/Baritone Vocals
Rick Hayes - Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Clay Hess-Banjo
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

9. Closing Mainstreet Down
Carl wrote "Closing Mainstreet Down" about the change of small town America over the last 30 years. He grew up in a small town in Kentucky that used to have a Mainstreet lined with small mom and pop store fronts and close by were several other small towns very similiar. Now the scene is much different as the streets are lined with empty buildings and vacant lots. This song is fitting for most small towns in America today.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals
Rick Hayes - Rhythm Guitar/Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal

10. Lonely Tombs
Carl's rendition of the Hank Williams classic
"Lonely Tombs", offers a combination of raw lonesome country lyrics with a lot of harmony. With only Carl's guitar strumming, the song really focuses the 4 part harmony arrangement. Hank would be proud of the re-make on this classic.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocals, Baritone Vocals, Guitar
Rick Hayes - Bass Vocal
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor vocals

11. Old News To You
Carl wrote "Old News To You" about a love a gone wrong. The song was not a persnal experience for Carl but rather a story of the heartache of love and cheating. You will hear the strong fiddle work of Tim Crouch throughout and the bluesy banjo style of Clay Hess. Add the tight vocal harmonies of Carl and Ronnie Stewart and it's a recipe for some good bluegrass.

Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocal, Baritone Vocal, Guitar
Rick Hayes - Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Clay Hess - Banjo
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal


12. Pike County Jail
Carl doesn’t have a good reason as to why he wrote Pike County Jail. He tried several counties, but Pike county just sit well with the tune. NO he has never spent a night in Pike County jail or any jail. PIke county bordes Floyd Co, Carl's home county in Kentucky. You will hear a very good vocal arrangement of Carl's lead, Ronnie Stewart singing Tenor and High Baritone. Tim Crouch supplies the driving fiddle to open the song. Rick hayes keeps the music moving with an agressive mandolin break. You will find yourself toe tappin to this one.
Credits
Carl Bentley - Lead Vocal, Baritone Vocal, Guitar
Rick Hayes - Bass/Mandolin
Tim Crouch - Fiddle
Clay Hess - Banjo
Ronnie Stewart - Tenor Vocal/ High Baritone Vocal


More Info About Carl:
Carl grew up in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. He was exposed to bluegrass and gospel music at a very early age when he would sing in church with his mom and dad. By his teen years, he was playing guitar along-side his dad who taught him to play. In his spare time he would play along with old Stanley Brothers records and country records which led him to develop a vocal style of his own. One of the albums was an album that featured Keith Whitley singing lead for Ralph Stanley. Carl remembers that day very clear and still says to this day, “When I heard Keith sing, it was then I knew I wanted to be like that guy. Nobody can do it like he did, but if I ever was inspired by anyone, it was Keith for sure” Carl has spent 30 years singing both country and Bluegrass music. He has shared the stage with some of the business top acts such as James King, Ralph Stanley II, Melvin Goins, and many others. He has recorded 2 full length bluegrass albums and 1 country album. His most recent (self-titled “Carl Bentley”) will be released January 2023. The album features 6 songs Carl wrote as well as 6 classics. Carl’s show is focused on tight vocal harmonies, and songs that he wrote himself. His songwriting ability is second to none. When Carl and his band take the stage, you can expect a high quality (Both dress and musicianship) and high energy performance. He has a special ability to connect with an audience like no other. James King once told him “You do it the way I did 20 years ago and that is not just sing but make them feel what you sing”. Any Audience will not be disappointed by a Carl Bentley set.

For a full Biography visit:
https://carlbentley.com/about