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Kurt Carr

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Kurt Carr
The Kurt Carr Singers perform for President George W. Bush and guests on June 17, 2008 in the East Room of the White House
The Kurt Carr Singers perform for President George W. Bush and guests on June 17, 2008 in the East Room of the White House
Background information
Born (1964-10-12) October 12, 1964 (age 61)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
GenresGospel, praise & worship
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, piano
Years active1984–present
Labels
Websitewww.thekurtcarr.com

Kurt Carr (born October 12, 1964) is an American gospel music composer, songwriter, producer, and singer. While living in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, he served as Minister of Music at The First Baptist Church of Hartford located at the time on Greenfield Street. He is currently the Praise and Worship leader at The Fountain Of Praise in Houston, Texas.

Kurt Carr blends various genre-influences and Gospel subgenres into his music. His ensemble, The Kurt Carr Singers, are featured on all his albums and are present on most of the albums he produced and composed for other recording artists. Kurt Carr has won at least four Stellar Awards.

Biography

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Early years

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Kurt Carr was born on October 12, 1964, in Hartford, Connecticut. In his childhood, he was focused on his instrument playing, and eventually also into compositions and singing. He grew up in a family that believed in Jesus, and according to Kurt Carr himself, followed "Godly Principles." However, the family were not heavily devoutly involved in church services. It was around the age of 13, Kurt Carr found himself being increasingly drawn to the church, eventually prompting the rest of his household to attend regularly. During this period, in his early teen years, he performed as an actor and dancer at the Hartford Stage Company in a Broadway musical called On the Town, which was directed by Clay Stevenson. He became an active member in his church's music department. At the age of 17, Carr chose to further be attentive in his eventual career. After high school, he entered into the music program at the University of Connecticut, where he studied classical music and earned a Fine Arts degree. Carr is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Music career

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Early career

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Kurt Carr, after being further involved into the realm of church, was inspired under The Hawkins Family, and was cultivated under Richard Smallwood in his inception of his career. Kurt Carr eventually relocated to the Los Angeles region in the mid 1980s, subsequently hired to be musical director and pianist for Rev. James Cleveland, working for his church establishment of Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, alongside further aspects in the same established church and related career and ministry. This allowed Kurt Carr to be further into the Gospel Industry, including GMWA events and also on Bobby Jones Gospel. Being under the then-considered, "relevant" gospel figures, allowed Kurt Carr to further solidify his own career. In June 1987, Kurt Carr formed his first widespread wave of the gospel vocal ensemble titled The Kurt Carr Singers, continuing from the previous variant of the singers from the prior periods in the home area of Kurt Carr. The singers commenced their debut EP, I'm Glad in 1988 released on the Independent label. After signing with Light Records in 1990, the major label debut album was recorded in periods between July 1991, in concert, with further subsequent work of the record. The record, titled Together, featured blend of Traditional Gospel Music, R&B, Funk, Soul, and Classical Music, and was released in late 1991. Notable tracks included rendition of Love Under New Management, alongside the return of the indie-debut version "Holy, Holy, Holy." The record featured Kurt Carr in his role of, songwriter, arranger, producer, instrumentalist, and singer. The record charted, Number 10 on the Gospel Billboard Charts, and was Stellar Award Nominated. While still working under the ministry established under Rev. Cleveland, Carr became attendee of West Angeles Church of God In Christ, under the pastoralship of Bishop Charles Edward Blake. During the early and mid 1990s, Kurt Carr used dual roles in working for the ministry established under Rev. James Cleveland and being installed-music minister of the choir of West Angeles Church of God In Christ. In this vicinity, Kurt Carr was able to further be in the realm of both Contemporary Gospel Music and Praise & Worship. Andraé Crouch had also had his collaborations in working with Kurt Carr in his career, and further inspiring him directly. Transitions in the Light Records label, led to GospoCentric Records which was owned and co-founded by to Vicki Mack Lataillade.

1994–2000: Serious About It! and No One Else

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Now signed onto GospoCentric, Kurt Carr spent periods producing and working with other acts, while the record label was developing. The singers had their debut on the label titled Serious About It! recorded in early 1994, with the record copies being available in late 1994. The album featured songs including the rendition of Salt-N-Pepa's "Whatta Man" titled, What a God, You Always Make A Way, and most notably, Surely God Is Able. Due to the challenging factors of the GospoCentric label, the record had charted in Number 21 in the charts in 1995, leading to gradually less-widespread promotion of the record. However, the involvement on the label and possibly also, the levels of success of the record, lead the Kurt Carr and the Singers to be featured on the "Why We Sing tour" with Kirk Franklin & The Family in 1995. After the period of touring, In July 1996, the singers commenced the following album on the label, No One Else, to be recorded at the West Angeles Church. The record was also subject to the record label complexities, which led to delay in the record being available, before it was successfully sold in March 1997. The album also featured Anastacia, Mary Mary, and Andrea McClurkin-Mellini (sister of Donnie McClurkin) serving as a few of the several additional background singers.[1] The album most notably featured "For Every Mountain," which became one of the Carr's most known features over time. Other tracks were notably present, included the Jazz and R&B-influenced version of Kumbaya. The record also included the hip-hop "influenced" version of the previous rendition done under Edwin Hawkins, titled Do You Know Him, which is the of the same title in song. Both Serious About It! and No One Else, featured blending of R&B, Hip-Hop, Choral Compositions, and further intertwined into the musicality Kurt Carr had set forth. No One Else sold over 100,000 copies and was Number 8 the Billboard Charts for over one year. Due to subsequent success of later records and the still-complexities involved with the record, No One Else had also received notable lack of attention for periods, with For Every Mountain often had been recognized, largely in being included in later playlist records, later renditions, and widespread availability of the sole song. Despite the "lower" attention given to the early records, the lineups of most of the singers who joined between 1987 formation to No One Else, even with certain members staying in the lineup after No One Else was done and had left later on, had reunited in notable occasions – most notably, the 2025 Choir Master Awards.

2000–2012: Growing success and acclaim

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In 2000, Awesome Wonder was released. While the previous records were largely, if not mostly, received well on charts and sales, Awesome Wonder was considered a higher-exceeded record to be known in the mainstream. Notable tracks included I Almost Let Go, Set The Atmosphere, and most notably, In the Sanctuary. The latter of the three became widespread inside its first year of release, eventually leading to internet memes, and the alike, in result of the success of the song over twenty years after the release. The album stayed in the charts longer than the previous albums and eventually earning gold, and nearly platinum. The record was known for its broader Praise & Worship vision, incorporating further ministry-centered doctrine in lyrics, alongside the lyrics being increasingly "complex" and with further congregational focus, which departed from the overtly "urban sound" on the previous records. In the Sanctuary eventually transcended countries and regions during the early 2000s. In 2002 and 2003, Kurt Carr worked with Byron Cage on the third album and overall GospoCentric debut for the latter, titled "Live at New Birth Cathedral." In July 2004, Kurt Carr had the concert recording for much of The Kurt Carr Project: One Church which was successfully released in March 2005. The album was billed as "the Kurt Carr Project"; featuring the combination of the Kurt Carr Singers and several additional background vocalists. The record extended the worship-centered sound of Awesome Wonder, with the theme of this record being centered on blending the music genres of various regions. Notable features included "God Blocked It," among other notable tracks which were considered – "staples." Shortly after The One Church Project was sold into records, Kurt Carr began working with Bishop Paul S. Morton and Tramaine Hawkins. While working with Bishop Morton, Kurt Carr began to conceptualize his own subsequent album. The first two disc album Just the Beginning, which was released on his self-titled label Kurt Carr Gospel and Zomba in 2008. Kurt Carr extended the "sound" of the previous two records, with heavier focus on congregational music and emulation of the charismatic church services.

2012–present: Current

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In 2013, Bless This House was released on Verity Gospel Music Group, which was the renaming of Zomba Gospel. The record notably included the single "I've Seen Him Do It." The blended the ministerial focus of the 2000s records, with also the return of urbanized mainstream features, including the disco-influenced Always Covering Me and R&B/Pop influenced, It's A Good Day. The album debuted Number 1 on the charts. During the personal transitions during the early to mid 2010s, Kurt Carr released Bless Somebody Else on RCA Records' Gospel Label RCA Inspiration in 2019 in which Kurt Carr Gospel Label from Just the Beginning returned. The album continued the similar sound from the previous album. The titular single was released the same year of the record release of Bless Somebody Else, with "Blessing After Blessing," following one year later. Kurt Carr is currently set to release his upcoming record, being the first for the 2020s.

Discography

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Albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
US
[2] 		US
R&B
/HH
[3] 		US
Gospel
[4] 		US
Christian
[5]
I'm Glad
(as the Kurt Carr Singers)
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Charnya Records (#CR 3123)[6]
  • Formats: LP
 — — — —
Together
(as the Kurt Carr Singers) 		— — 11 —
Serious About It!
(as the Kurt Carr Singers) 		— — 21 —
No One Else
(as the Kurt Carr Singers)
  • Released: March 25, 1997[10]
  • Label: GospoCentric (#G2 1S 7575 1 72138 2)[11]
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 — — 8 —
Awesome Wonder
(with the Kurt Carr Singers)
  • Released: September 19, 2000[13]
  • Label: GospoCentric (#75751-70016-2)[14]
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 — — 5 14
The Kurt Carr Project: One Church
  • Released: March 22, 2005[17]
  • Label: GospoCentric, Zomba Gospel (#75751-70058-2)[18]
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 109 27 1 —
Just the Beginning
  • Released: October 28, 2008[19]
  • Label: Zomba Gospel, Kurt Carr Gospel, (#88697297532)[20]
  • Formats: CD, HDCD
 62 — 2 —
Bless This House 43 — 1 —
Bless Somebody Else — — 2 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title[4] Album details[4] Peak chart positions
US
Gospel
[4]
Playlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers
  • Released: September 15, 2009[25]
  • Labels: GospoCentric, Legacy, Verity (#57642)[25]
  • Formats: CD
 33
Setlist: The Very Best Of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers Live
  • Released: December 23, 2011[26]
  • Labels: GospoCentric, Legacy, Sony Legacy (#88691 90780 2)[26]
  • Formats: CD
 50

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Gospel
[27]
"God Blocked It" 2004 3 One Church
"God Great God" 26
"Peace And Favor Rest On Us" 2008 2 Just The Beginning
"Bless Somebody Else (Dorothy's Song)" 2019 18 Bless Somebody Else
"Blessing After Blessing" 2020 —[A]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

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List of other charted, with selected chart positions, showing year charted and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Gospel
[27]
"For Every Mountain" 1996 —[B] No One Else
"I Almost Let Go" 2000 —[C] Awesome Wonder
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

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  1. ^ "Anastacia-Archive.de". Archive.today. Retrieved May 9, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ^
  3. ^ "Kurt Carr Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ a b c d
  5. ^ "Kurt Carr Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original (select Top Christian Albums from the drop-down menu) on November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ "The Kurt Carr Singers – Im Glad (1988, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1988. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "The Kurt Carr Singers – Together (1991, CD)". Discogs. 1991. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Serious About It! - Kurt Carr". AllMusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  9. ^ "The Kurt Carr Singers – Serious About It! (1994, CD)". Discogs. 1994. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  10. ^ "No One Else - Kurt Carr, Kurt Carr Singers". AllMusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "The Kurt Carr Singers – No One Else (1997, CD)". Discogs. 1997. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Collins, Lisa (September 23, 2000). "In the Spirit" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 51. Retrieved January 11, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ "Awesome Wonder - Kurt Carr, Kurt Carr Singers". Allmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  14. ^ "The Kurt Carr Singers – Awesome Wonder (2000, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  15. ^ "Gospel". Billboard. Vol. 114. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 9, 2002. p. 22. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 31, 2020 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. May 27, 2003. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  17. ^ "Kurt Carr (One Church) - Reviews - GospelFlava.com". Gospelflava.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "The Kurt Carr Project – One Church (2005, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  19. ^ "Just The Beginning - Kurt Carr". Allmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  20. ^ "Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers – One Church (2005, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  21. ^ "Bless This House - Kurt Carr". Allmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  22. ^ "Kurt Carr, The Kurt Carr Singers – Bless This House (2013, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  23. ^ "Bless Somebody Else - Kurt Carr". Allmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Kurt Carr – Bless Somebody Else (2019, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Playlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers - Kurt Carr". Allmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers Live - Kurt Carr". Allmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Kurt Carr Chart History". Billboard.com. Archived from the original (select Hot Gospel Songs from the drop-down menu) on November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  28. ^ "Kurt Carr Chart History". Billboard.com. Archived from the original (select Gospel Airplay from the drop-down menu) on November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  29. ^ "Kurt Carr Chart History". Billboard.com. Archived from the original (select Gospel Digital Song Sales from the drop-down menu) on November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  30. ^ "Kurt Carr Chart History". Billboard.com. Archived from the original (select Gospel Streaming Songs from the drop-down menu) on November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.

Notes

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  1. ^ "Blessing After Blessing" did not enter the US Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, but peaked at number 27 on the US Gospel Airplay chart.[28]
  2. ^ "For Every Mountain" did not enter the US Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, but peaked at number 2 on the US Gospel Digital Song Sales chart.[29]
  3. ^ "I Almost Let Go" did not enter the US Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, but peaked at number 18 on the US Gospel Digital Song Sales chart.[30]
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