33: Carson Chamberlain, Musician/Songwriter/Producer

To people who want to make it in the music industry as a writer, musician, or producer... but don’t know how to get started. Carson Chamberlain tells us how he made it in Nashville and worked with country stars like Keith Whitley, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Easton Corbin, and more in this episode of The Doorpost Podcast Project!          

BIO:

Carson Chamberlain, a native of Berea, Kentucky, started professionally in the music business as a musician, bandleader and tour manager for the late Keith Whitley.  After Keith’s untimely death in 1989, he became tour manager for Clint Black, and later held the position of tour manager for Alan Jackson.  In April of 1994, Carson took the position as Director of A&R for Mercury Nashville and was promoted to VP of A&R until his departure in August of 2002.   Now Chamberlain is focusing all of his energy on writing and producing.

As a BMI songwriter, Chamberlain has penned several number one singles for Alan Jackson such as “Love’s Got A Hold On You,” Everything I Love,” and “Between The Devil And Me.”  His penned song, “The Best Day,” the first single release from George Strait’s Greatest Hits LP, quickly moved up the charts and stayed at #1 for three weeks.  

As a record producer, he has had other #1 success with the Mark Wills’ singles “I Do (Cherish You),” “Don’t Laugh At Me,” and “Wish You Were Here,” all #1 songs from his platinum-selling LP entitled “Wish You Were Here.” Chamberlain also, produced the #1 song “Back At One” from Mark Wills “Permanently” LP .

Chamberlain penned Travis Tritt’s hit single “Country Ain’t Country,” and scored cuts on Gary Allan’s  Alright Guy album as well as Alan Jackson’s Greatest Hits, Greatest Hits Volume 2, and Alan Jackson’s 34 Number Ones, the single release “Another Side of You” on Joe Nichols, and the single release “Groovy Little Summer Song” on James Otto.

In 2002, Chamberlain produced the Billy Currington’s debut album for Mercury Records.  Chamberlain also co-wrote the single “Walk A Little Straighter and “I Got A Feelin’ “ both top ten country singles. Chamberlain also produced Billy Currington’s #1 singles  “Must Be Doin’ Something Right” and “Good Directions” on his platinum selling album “Doin’ Something Right” and #1 singles “Don’t”, “People Are Crazy”, and “That’s How Country Boys Roll” from his gold selling album “A Little Bit of Everything”. Chamberlain also produced Billy Currington’s #1 singles “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” and “Let Me Down Easy” from his “Enjoy Yourself” album.

In 2009, Chamberlain produced Easton Corbin’s debut album. The first single “A Little More Country Than That” went to #1 and was the first single on a debut male artist to reach #1 in 7 years. The second single “Roll With It” also reached #1, making it the first time for a debut male artist to reach #1 with two consecutive #1 singles in 17 years. Chamberlain co-wrote the Corbin singles “I Can’t Love You Back” and the third most played song on Country Radio in the year of 2013 “All Over The Road”.

Chamberlain is currently in the studio producing an album on Jackie Lee, a new artist on Broken Bow Records. 

Other artists who have covered Carson’s songs include Jamey Johnson, Craig Campbell, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Sammy Kershaw, James Otto, Hank Williams, Jr., John Michael Montgomery, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mark Wills, Julie Roberts, Blaine Larsen,, Keith Stegall, Don Williams, Jeff Bates, Chad Brock, Ronnie Milsap and The Lynns.