Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carl Baldassarre. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carl, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
It was a series of moments. Seeing the Beatles on TV (Ed Sullivan Show) in February 1964 was mesmerizing. In the summer of 1968 (I was 9 years old), several moments happened: I heard a Burt Bacharach’s Song “This Guys in Love with You” on a transistor radio. I didn’t know anything about music or who it was on the radio, but the song made spontaneously cry because it was so beautiful. I also heard Mason Williams Classical Gas and it made me so happy during an otherwise miserable childhood. Later that summer, I went to my first concert at the Ohio State Fair and saw the Fifth Dimension and The Cowsills. I was so amazed watching musicians on stage playing live (and the audience loving it). I knew then that I wanted to be a musician. Finally, in 1970, when I was 11 years old, my older sister came home from her first semester of university and she played me several vinyl records she brought with her. She played cuts from The Moody Blues, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, and Led Zeppelin. When I heard the guitar solo by Jimmy Page on Heartbreaker, I knew at that moment I wanted to play guitar. Finally, at my first professional gig in 1978, I felt an overwhelming power being on stage. That cinched it for me.
Carl, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a composer, guitar player, producer and educator. I just followed my passion as a child and eventually became a professional musician, band leader and composer. I got into the “industry” by doing what I loved and playing my music in front of anyone who would listen. I also studied music and refined my craft as both a player and composer. Eventually, one thing leads to another and you build a career by trusting your gut and never giving up.
I provide two main products: live shows and recorded music. I’ve also developed production and teaching opportunities along the way. The problem I solve is providing value-added entertainment and a great experience. People are longing for escape and nostalgia and my music and stage personality provide both.
What sets me a part is being extremely audience focused as well as my unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
I’m most proud of my legacy of recorded music and the breadth of my compositional craft. I hope my fans are inspired by my personal story and the example I provide. I think I’m most known for my musical talent and the experience I create when I share my everchanging musical style on recordings or live shows.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The greatest blessing of being an artist is that you have an outlet to express your emotions. Then being able to share your art with the public and learning from them how they experience and connect with your work is the reward.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I was young and a touring musician, it was hard to make ends meet. I made the tough decision to set aside public performance to better provide for my children. My goal was to break the cycle of poverty, addiction and abuse which I experienced as a child. To accomplish that, I had to interupt my music career for a business career. I became successful in business because of my creative background. After many years, my children were off to college and I desperately needed to pivot back into full time music to restart my music career from scratch. Although it was hard work and not as lucrative it was an easy decision as it was time to go back to where I started. What surprised me is that I’m an even better musician and composer because of the experience of pivoting. It’s never too late to follow your passion and talent. The moral of the story is to trust your gut and never give up. A fulfilled soul makes you a better person and and makes life better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carlbaldassarremusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlbaldassarre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlBaldassarreMusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-baldassarre-16943a343/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarlBaldassarreMusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dcJmNERqwuVQzPgR7dUdb?si=bl-MuERoSt-wDM42NZ-btg
Image Credits
David Schwartz
James Douglas
Erick Anderson
John C. Benson