Mary Chapin Carpenter grew up in New Jersey, cultivating her musical tastes in pretty typical ways including listening to her sister’s record collection, which was heavy on the Mamas and Papas and the Beatles. Although she played guitar and sang in high school, she never considered performing in public until her father suggested she try an open mic night.
After spending time playing in the DC folk scene, Carpenter landed a recording contract and released her first album in 1987. In 1992 she had her most successful album. “Come On, Come On” spawned three top five singles and established her as a country artist. Her following album produced a number one song and a Grammy.
Mary Chapin Carpenter has released 15 albums, and her first album of new material just came out. “The Dirt and the Stars” was mostly written at her Virginia farmhouse and draws from her personal experiences. Having won 5 Grammys as well as CMA and AMA awards, Carpenter has plenty on which to reflect.
