ABOUT RICK

Welcome to my musical journey.

I have experienced a life in music on both sides of the stage, as a performer/songwriter and as executive for some of the iconic musical instrument brands in the music instrument industry that I helped to launch, including SWR Engineering Inc., Phil Jones Bass, Kala Brand, and others.

I have had the privilege to meet and encounter some of the most famous musicians of all time mostly through product endorsements and call as friends many the top tier players in their field. 

Just a few of these stories include:

I saw the Beatles at Dodger Stadium and then years later had the good fortune to be in a private rehearsal with Paul McCartney and his band. While walking through the stage among the instruments I was able to touch one of Music’s Holy Grail, Paul’s Hofner bass, that he had played on that final Beatles tour.

I was teasingly cussed out by Pete Townshend (with a twinkle in his eye and smile on his face) backstage at a Who concert.

I stood at the feet of B.B. King at the Whiskey a Go Go when I was a teenager then spent a week playing in a band on the same bill with him in Las Vegas. It turned out our band had been hired as a favor from a high ranking executive with connections to organized crime. As a result our opening night set was celebrated in BB’s dressing room without prior authorization, much to the chagrin of his managers. BB himself couldn’t have been more welcoming and wonderful. (long story) 

I had many encounters with the Grateful Dead including one afternoon when I was visiting with Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead on stage prior to a concert. I heard a very familiar guitar tone and turned around to see Jerry Garcia warming up a few feet away. There was no one in the audience.

I discussed cars with Neil Young as we inspected his vintage 50’s Cadillac at Oceanway Recording in L.A.

I got to meet and hang out with Eddie Vedder and Pearl jam while directing an ad assignment featuring bass player Jeff Ament with a photographer. We had 10 minutes to get an iconic shot from the mosh pit while being jostled about. One of the shots became iconic and ended up on the cover of Bass Player Magazine.

I met Tony Bennett a few times, he always introduced himself graciously saying, “Hi I’m Tony Bennett”!

All along I have always written and recorded songs. One of my songs “Diamondland” was played on KABC for opening day at Dodger Stadium and another tune was published for Natalie Cole and Smokey Robinson. There was also a song titled “Running” selected as the theme song for a Hollywood marathon.

My Band, Coast Highway, is based in Sonoma County and performs regularly

My Guitar Remembers

The new album, My Guitar Remembers features expertly crafted songs from Rick Carlson with a heavy dose of Americana influence that feature his remarkable voice and instrumentation. Songs include the captivating “Cheyenne”, an opus to Native Americans which has received radio airplay and acceptance from the Chyenne/Arapahoe nation. The historically based “So I Went To Manzanar” is inspired by a visit Carlson’s Dad made to the Japanese Internment Camp during WWII. “Send Me A Letter” is an ode to road warriors that traces a reverse journey on Route 66 beginning in San Bernardino. The fun and catchy “65” time travels back to the energy of the cool Southern California vibe of 1965 and events from that year. The Touching “Until You” is Mendocino County influenced with images of the Coast Highway and Anchor Bay.  My Guitar Remembers is a collection of memorable themes and melodies infused with upbeat energy to be enjoyed again and again.