Meet Carter Vaughan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carter Vaughan.

Carter, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Ever since I was very little, I knew I wanted to pursue music in some sort of way, but it wasn’t until I was nine years old that I first picked up a pair of drum sticks in my first lesson with my father. Since then, I’ve been playing drums as much as I can. Throughout high school and college I played in every band possible; big band jazz groups, marching band, jazz trios, garage bands, etc.

I attended CU Denver to study Music Recording Arts and Music Business with a performance track. After a year of studying, I relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to finish my studies at GCU. I majored in theology, planning to pursue a job at a church, working in ministry.

After graduating from college and working a year at a church in a residency program, I found myself fully immersed in the local music scene for the first time in my life. I had grown up in suburban communities and was never exposed to thriving music scenes in metro areas like the one here in Phoenix, AZ, and even though I had previously decided that I wanted to pursue church work as a Music Director (or something like that)–I found myself magnetically pulled back into the music scene, playing shows, writing music with bands, recording drums for artists, etc. After playing a few shows, I immediately knew this was what I wanted with my life. I realized that this is a passion of mine that surpasses most things in my life–I believe this was a passion placed in my life by God.

Now, I find myself a part of many local music groups, playing drums for bands, artists, studios, etc–with the goal in mind of full-time professional music. I’ve already seen a lot of success thus far through playing larger venues like The Van Buren here in Phoenix, AZ, and traveling out of state regularly for shows with my bands. We’ve performed alongside some very successful artists such as Jared and the Mill, Private Island, Alec King, and others. I’ve also been able to perform in Jazz groups at international jazz festivals, receiving recognition for soloing and performance. When I look back at the progress I’ve made toward this dream of mine, I know it’s only a matter of time at this point before I can commit all my time to music. The next step is for me to get on the road full-time, touring with a successful artist or band. With that, I’ve been working on building my network outside of Phoenix, trying to meet and work with artists and bands in other music cities like Nashville and LA.

I play for a few really exciting acts right now, the first of which is ‘bodie.’ bodie is a solo R&B/Hip-Hop artist based here in Phoenix. He’s seen a great amount of success thus far, and the success only keeps coming in greater and greater amounts. I’m also a part of a band called STOX. We are a 3-piece, alternative pop-rock band, and we’re going to be releasing our debut EP later this year…keep an eye out for it! Dream Mind EP is coming soon. There are many others I have been working with; Lauren Case, Wiseman, Emily Teterud, Erika Sharpe, and there are a few other artists I’ll be working with soon, but for the sake of time, I’ll save sharing about those until later.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Mostly, I play drums for people, whether in the studio or for live performances. I also produce backing tracks for artists and bands for live performance.

My purpose in my crafts is twofold. First, I hope that through my art/creativity/performance, people are able to feel and experience love and joy. I believe it is my purpose to embody love and kindness for all people–that God put me on this earth to add love. Secondly, my crafts in the music industry are primarily support roles. Drums and backing tracks are almost always purposed with adding depth and sonic beauty to a pre-existing song or performance of any kind–so it is my hope that through my involvement in any music endeavor, it is made better. That I may increase the quality of the music the experience. I want to be one who adds to an environment, rather than taking from it. I want to always be adding love to people’s lives, and I always want to be adding quality sound and experience to music when I am involved.

The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Honestly, the biggest thing I’m learning right now is that “making it,” as an artist or creative is all about lowering your cost of living as much as possible, so you can lean fully into the craft you’re pursuing. The less money I have to put towards rent, car payment, etc., the more money I can put into my craft, and the less money I have to make at my day job. Additionally, know your worth. Too many creatives are taken advantage of, and it’s vitally important that you know what your craft is worth and refuse to settle for less.

Contact Info:

• Email: cartervaughan@icloud.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carter_vaughan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cartervaughandrums/?view_public_for=2180537252203241
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNt0sNzPmNvzYHZDgauOuA/featured

Image Credit:
Quinsey Sablan
Giovanni Alain
Royale Kuljian

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