Matoaca resident Katelyn McCarter has overcome several of life’s obstacles in the music industry on her way to becoming a Christian Recording Pop artist. A two-time International Music and Entertainment Association Christian Female Vocalist, Christian Entertainer of the Year award-winner and Rebirth Radio’s 2013 Song of the Year and Rising Artist of the Year award winner, McCarter dropped her connection with a national record label in 2013 and is now an Indi Artist. With the invigorating strength she receives from God, she will be celebrating the release of her first CD “Chasing the Wind,” with a concert on Friday, Dec. 18. The concert starts at 7 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church located at 3110 Greenwood Ave., Colonial Heights. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets, $5, are available online and at the door.
Go online and Google McCarter and you will find listing after listing leading into pages of her rise and favorable reviews in the music industry. Socinbids remarks on the strength of her vocal abilities and her talent. One of her first singles, “Free From Me,” is getting radio play nationwide and with the release of “Chasing the Wind,” the rousing, energetic CD cover song should quickly follow the same path.
Another cut on the CD, “Unmistakable” is also capturing great reviews. Jodie Berndt, a Gold Medallion Finalist wrote, “With rafters-raising vocals and lyrics that tap into our deepest longings, Katelyn McCarter’s “Unmistakable” hits all the right notes. Lean back in the arms of mercy and just let this unforgettable song wash over your soul. You are loved!”
“I am so humbled and feel honored to have people say that about me and to recognize our work,” McCarter said about the reviews during a recent meeting. “God is so good. It is so humbling how much God loves us. He has opened the door for me.”
McCarter said she wants to travel the world through her music. She is not looking to be famous, she just wants to be able to reach people through her music and give them hope and feeling of joy that God can bring through music.
“I want to be what God is calling me to do,” she said.
Music came early in McCarter’s life with piano and voice lessons at a young age, singing in church, and Show Choir at Matoaca High School, but it wasn’t until she began her voice studies under Cynthia Donnell, her mentor, at Virginia Commonwealth University that she realized she wanted to be a Christian Pop singer.
“She made me the singer I am today,” McCarter said about Cynthia Donnell. “She pushed me as an artist and singer. She helped my voice do things that I could not do. I think of her every day when I warm up.”
McCarter worked with Nashville-based Grammy-nominated and Dove Award winning producer/songwriter/engineer Rusty Varenkamp on “Chasing the Wind.” Varenkamp’s past projects include TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, David Crowder and Tenth Avenue North.
The exuberant, McCarter illuminates the stage whether it is a national stage or her church stage. Singing about life, love, and the lessons she has learned from God along the way.
During her CD release and Christmas concert, she will also be joined by special guest, The Worship Collective, a Chester Christian rock group. Tickets for the CD release and Christmas concert are available at Rainbow Christian Bookstore in Colonial Heights and ModVinTique in Old Towne Petersburg or visit katelynmccarter.com. You may also view McCarter’s newly released music video “Chasing the Wind,” on her website.
