High Achieving Country Artist Brei Carter Talks Family, Faith & The Power of Country [2022]
She is not only a southern pop country artist, she also has a masters in International Relations, a doctorate in Theology and she is a proud US Army vet. This high achieving country artist has also written three books! Her songs embrace her love and devotion to family with influences of Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn and Aretha Franklin. She made a leap of faith, quitting a lucrative medical sales job to pursue a career in country music.
Sue Bonzell
She has a doctorate in theology. She is an Army veteran, and she is an amazing country artists Brei Carter is here. Welcome Brei,
Brei Carter
Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate
Sue Bonzell
I I’m loving that you’re here. We have a lot to talk about. First of all, I mean, the amount of schooling, I’m looking at your resume, and I’m like, Dang, this girl is like smart. So tell me about all of all of this college that you went through?
Brei Carter
Well, you know what, my mother, she’s just always been about, get your education, get your education, you know, the things that we hear is a little kid. And, you know, here’s really, I’m from Louisiana, I got my bachelor’s degree. Then I joined the military, got my master’s degree, and then went on to the workforce, active duty, went back, got another master’s degree, and then got a doctorate in theology. So I’m an educated girl again, she is an educated girl. She’s smart. She’s mine, she came to my show. So very, very Yes.
Sue Bonzell
So I mean, that’s kind of an interesting route for you. And I think that you had like a, you know, a pretty, pretty high end job before you decided, hey, you know what, I think I’m gonna do this country music thing. Tell me about that. Like, how did you get into like, hey, coming to Nashville, I’m doing the country music thing.
Brei Carter
Well, unfortunately, back in 2014, my biological father, he passed away, and there was just something in me did a little soul searching spending time with my father’s family. And just realize that I was I was meant to do country, country music. And the weird thing is actually, as I started on this journey, this path, my mom said, You know what, when you were little, and you said, that’s what you wanted to do. So it’s amazing how things kind of really come back full circle. So I was doing on medical device sales, I was selling a pacemaker full rein, helping people that suffer from severe depression and epilepsy. And it was just burning inside of me. And I said, Hey, you know what, no more. It’s time for me to do what God is leading me to do. And Nashville Bound. I was.
Sue Bonzell
Wow. I mean, that’s pretty. That’s pretty incredible. I mean, it’s kind of like a leap of faith in some ways, for sure to say, Okay, I’ve got this job, you know, and usually medical sales you do you do pretty well, and then you kind of like, okay, let’s go to country.
Brei Carter
Oh, for sure. So when you say that leap of faith, it brings up a great point because faith, faith is everything to me, God, that is first and foremost. So everything that I do it is based on God and faith and trying to be led in the path and direction I’m supposed to go. And here she is now.
Sue Bonzell
So okay, let’s talk about some of your music. So I’ve heard it described, you know, obviously country, but soul and southern pop. Yes. So it’s kind of a little bit of a fusion. So tell me about your musical style and kind of what you how you feel about it for sure.
Brei Carter
I say country because there you get all the instrumentation there. Some of the music, you may hear Twain and it depends. Not all the time, but it’s really the instrumentation. In addition to that the soul, I guess the gospel portion of it, because growing up in Louisiana growing up in Lonestar Baptist Church, a small family church, growing up singing in choir, and I think some other people just coined it southern pop. I didn’t even know that. Other than perhaps Southern rock, I don’t know it just kind of intertwined together and it just, it just became recorder
Sue Bonzell
But there you go with it. So it’s your own kind of your own personal style. I like to think so. Well, Brei Carter brand, we left that like that. Now, I got to meet you originally at CMA fest, and that was your first CMA fest. Is that right? So you got my perform? Yes. So tell me about that.
Brei Carter
My debut at CMA fest 2022. This year was so surreal. Honestly, I am still hanging on that cloud. And I can’t believe that it’s over. Obviously it is because I’m back to the hard work. But it was just unbelievable. Just the fans there the camaraderie people getting together, the Escort going back to perform on stage. And it’s amazing that you’re asking about this because people were like, Okay, so you’ve attended in the past? And I’m like, yes, they’re like, So which do you prefer being on on the fan side or the other side? And I’m like, You know what, I love being a fan. But I’m on the right side, I’m where I’m supposed to be. So that’s what’s important.
Sue Bonzell
It’s kind of cool. I mean, during the, you know, CMA fest, you’re looking around and you see all the, you know, the dark vehicles with the dark windows, the chintan it’s like, ooh, who’s in there? And it’s like, oh, it’s pre Carter. That’s who’s in there? Yes. One day you guys really know me but you know, it’s still a process and I’m still growing. Absolutely. So now you got a new a new album, correct? Isn’t it?
Brei Carter
No, I new a new album coming out. Okay, called brand new country, probably the set August September timeframe. It’ll be fully released. It’s going to be a treat, there’s probably going to be at least 15 songs on the album and some of them some of the songs will be songs that I’ve released previously, but there’s gonna be a ton of new new tracks so it’s definitely check me out.
Sue Bonzell
Okay, so we have to talk about Charlie pride. Yes, kissin Angel. Good morning. You’ve heard that song is that going to be on the album?
Brei Carter
Of course. Of course. I mean, I grew up with my father singing Mr. Charlie pride because Angel Good morning. Yeah. So it’s just it was just fitting for me to actually do that song. And you know, when I first recorded it, and I decided to do it, Mr. Charlie pride was still alive. And I was so. Sending them like, oh my god, one of my dreams was that I recorded, he would love my rendition of it. And then someday we’d be on stage performing it together. But unfortunately, before I released it, he had passed away, but his wife, Miss Rosie, and she actually gave her blessing on my rendition of it, the video and all of that. So, I mean, it’s, it’s still a dream can come true. And I’m still really happy about that.
Sue Bonzell
That’s really neat. So I mean, let’s talk about being a black artist in country music. So you know, I’m loving seeing so many more, especially black females coming up in country music. What’s your experience been like with that in country music?
Brei Carter
You know what it’s been kind of hit or miss. Everyone’s different only because some people aren’t used to it. Well, me being from Louisiana and living in the country, I grew up with the music. I grew up with the culture. So it’s who I am. So it’s not an act. It’s not me trying to be something that I’m not. And I think over a period of time, people will see that, but I’ve had some great experiences, but I’ve had some that hadn’t been so great. Yeah, unfortunately, I did a performance during the CMA fest, and I was told that, I guess some good old man or something. Say some good old man. When I was onstage at the retail mall, he came by and he was just like, he was kind of shocked because I had the poster and he heard the music. It was like, so like, bah humbug, but who cares? I mean, you know, I’m being true to myself. So and this is the journey and the path. So I’m gonna keep pressing forward. Well, the more that the more the merrier. I mean, inclusion diversity apps. I mean, you gotta you gotta follow your heart doesn’t matter what color you are. Just just make the music because music has no colors have music has no boundaries. Music is music. Music saves lives. So that’s what I’m hoping to do. That is the that is the power of country music. Yeah, really powerful. It is.
Sue Bonzell
And I love like you said, it’s like, it’s who you are. You’re expressing yourself. And this is, that’s one of the things I love about country music is it is so healing for so many people in so many different ways. When you’re putting out your music and things that you’re writing about and your style and people connect with that. And it’s like, I just I just love that and I love your voice.
Brei Carter
Thank you.
Sue Bonzell
So okay, so what’s next? Okay, it is time for my world famous game. Truth or truth here at the up and country studios in Nashville. Are you ready to play Brei? I’m kind of nervous, but I’m writing. Okay, you get to pick your own questions. Yay.
Brei Carter
Tell us your cheesiest pickup line. Oh, my goodness. Can I pull another one?
Sue Bonzell
Yes. Okay. Do you want to know you’ll think of one on the way home
Brei Carter
what’s the craziest thing you’ve done on public transportation? Completely undress and redress. That’s the craziest thing that like in the back of an Uber taxi. Exactly. I had to strip down white dress because I was running crazy late, got stuck in traffic and just had to fully fully disrobing and reroute to do what you got to do. Right. You’re like, yeah, I forward. Forward, everybody.
Sue Bonzell
Okay, good. Let’s get another one. I’m nervous.
Brei Carter
Oh, if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life. What would you choose? Well, I’d probably choose between three things. My mom’s strawberry Punchbowl cake, which is to die for home. Sushi. I’m a sushi fanatic sushi lover. Probably cheese.
Sue Bonzell
It’s kind of like if you’re on a deserted island. It’s like yeah, for me. It’s like the cheese in the wine. That’s what’s going on. Those are good. So what’s in the what’s the strawberry Punch, punch.
Brei Carter
Punch row cake. It’s literally it’s a big Punchbowl that my mom makes and it’s layered 10s of strawberries cool with her special yellow kind of cake white cake that she makes. And there’s layers on top of layers and you got to dig down and scoop and it is all it is to die for. I get it when I’m home and she makes it breakfast lunch and dinner.
Sue Bonzell
Okay you’re also case sugar overload does not matter right?
Brei Carter
No, not at all. Because there’s no calories in it. She works all the calories there’s no fat exactly because she loves you. Yeah, see course it’s made with love. That means no calories. Exactly.
Sue Bonzell
We got it all figured out. You want to do one more? One more I get one more
Brei Carter
what is the one thing you would stand in line an hour for? I would stand in line for an hour to see a great concert dear some good music. I would do it all day every day.
Sue Bonzell
Who would be your your number one maybe some of you haven’t seen yet or somebody you’d like to.
Brei Carter
I’ve seen Shania Twain. I love her. I haven’t seen dolly live. There’s just so many. Honestly, there’s so many old greats that I like to see because who knows when they’ll be gone or I’ll be gone. So really any anyone that I’ve loved their music I’ve set an hour or two, just to just to hear them perform dolly I would definitely for sure. I’d wait many hours. All day every day. All day every day.
Sue Bonzell
Bring a sleeping bag in the pillow. Yeah. Okay, we’re making the thing. Yes. Awesome. Well, thank you so much for playing the game. She answered wonderfully. Except for the cheesiest line and I know I’m gonna think of Yeah, so think of a good one. Call me. Yes, I will. I’ll put it in the comments. Okay. So we’ve got the album. Are you going to be playing some shows in Nashville or anywhere else?
Brei Carter
Yes. Well, I have the other big thing is the Josie awards. I was nominated for modern country female country singer of the year. Wow. And also my song gave him a girl that got released last year and went to radio it turned it on Music Row and what have you and played at a lot of different stations. So I’m hoping to actually win that award for Song of the Year and modern country female singer of the year.
Sue Bonzell
Wow, what an honor. That’s cool. I think so. I love it. I love it. Okay, so that we can look forward to that. We’ll be like checking two sets in October now and October Okay, we’re gonna stay tuned for that. And of course, go get her album is out now that correct? No, the album. That’s right. Yeah, September, October, August,
Brei Carter
August, September, the album will be out and ready. It’s going to be titled, brand new country, so and it’s gonna be kind of brand new country because you’re gonna get a little of everything. You’re gonna get a little of Aubrey Carter insight. And just one more thing. So I want to talk about that. You mentioned how country music is healing, you know, the stories that are intertwined and interwoven into other people’s lives. My story is someone else’s stories. Yes. So we can all relate with one another one way or another?
Sue Bonzell
Yeah, I totally agree with you. Yeah. Now when I when I first met you to this girl who’s got the style, like that doesn’t quit and y’all got the fringe. I love the fringe. We actually I was wearing a fringe something and then you turned around. I saw you again and you had it too.
Brei Carter
So we’re all about suffering. And I haven’t learned it yet, but I will be definitely
Sue Bonzell
Okay, good. Nice. Yeah. So follow Brei Carter. It’s b r e i brei Carter’s make sure you find her on the socials. And you can check out her style too. And of course, the music.
Brei Carter
Yes, thank you. I appreciate the follows the likes the love, purchase the downloads, all of the above and all of the love and support.
Sue Bonzell
Awesome. Well, thank you so much for being here today. And we’ll definitely keep an eye on yeah.
Brei Carter
Thanks for having me. I appreciate it. Absolutely.
Sue Bonzell
Thanks for watching up in country. Be sure to like and subscribe And leave us a comment. We do new episodes every Tuesday. And be sure to follow up and country on Instagram Tik Tok and Facebook and you can follow me to add Sue Bonzell on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.
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