Max Carl
Encyclopedia
Max Carl Gronenthal is an American rock singer, keyboardist
, guitarist
and songwriter
. He is the current lead singer of the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad
. In addition, he spent several years as the keyboardist and lead singer for the mainstream rock
band 38 Special, for whom he co-wrote and sang lead on the hit song "Second Chance
".
and raised in Nebraska, graduating from high school in 1968. Throughout 1968–69, he played a significant role as a member of the Norfolk, Nebraska
-based New Breed Blues Band, during which time he enhanced his interest in rhythm and blues
music. Beginning as a saxophonist in this band, he later became the lead vocalist
/keyboardist
in the group. However, in 1969, he left to join the Lincoln
-based Chancellors.
and refine his songwriting abilities in Oklahoma City
. He frequently performed with fellow Midwesterner Tommy Bolin
in various jazz
/rock
fusion groups. By the late-1970s, Carl had graduated to performing on albums by "bigger names," such as Rod Stewart
and Dusty Springfield
.
Around this time, Carl decided to begin recording as a solo artist. His debut album, Whistlin' in the Dark
was released in 1979 under his given name, Max Gronenthal. A second solo album, Max followed in 1980.
, Dan Fogelberg
, Bonnie Raitt
, Don Henley
, Glenn Frey
, Timothy B. Schmit
, Bette Midler
, and Kenny Loggins
. In 1982, he also formed a 60s R&B cover band, which was eventually named "Jack Mack and the Heart Attack". This project also incorporated some Max Carl-penned original R&B-styled songs into their repertoire, including the semi-classic "Cardiac Party."
In addition to performing, Carl also found time during the mid-80s to compose tunes for various movie soundtracks, performing on many of them as well. Films such as Police Academy
(1984), Grandview, U.S.A.
(1984), and Doin' Time (1985) include his compositions. In 1986, he would co-write "Come and Follow Me" as a duet with Marcy Levy, which played during the closing credits of the movie Short Circuit
.
Meanwhile, in 1985, Carl left Jack Mack and the Heart Attack to record his third solo album. Unlike the first two solo albums, The Circle would be released under his stage name "Max Carl." The album's title track would be included on the soundtrack for the John Hughes film Weird Science
. Later that same year, Carl was invited to join .38 Special, a request that he eventually accepted.
Carl rehearsed with the band frequently, and by 1988, he joined forces with the southern rock
stylings of .38 Special. That year, the band would release the Rock & Roll Strategy
album, which included the Cal Curtis/Jeff Carlisi tune that was reworked into (giving additional writing credit to Carl) "Second Chance
," featuring Carl on lead vocals. "Second Chance" introduced .38 Special into a whole new market, when it reached the top of the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1989. Carl remained in .38 Special into the 1990s, but left shortly after the release of the band's Bone Against Steel
album in 1991.
At this point, Carl moved to Nashville, where he continued to write/perform on tunes for the likes of Joe Cocker
, Bad Company, Richard Marx
, and Charlie Daniels
. Later in the 90s, he became fascinated with a "family" of musicians in Mississippi
who performed a very original historical and heartland-infused brand of music. Relocating to Mississippi, Carl began performing with this group of musicians, forming what would become Max Carl and the Big Dance. This experience ultimately culminated in the release of the album One Planet – One Groove (under the "Max Carl and the Big Dance" moniker) in 1998. Featured on this album are several of Carl's original compositions fused with this new "southern funk"/"Mississippi sound," as well as covers of various 60s hits done in this style.
, Otha Turner, and Jennifer Warnes
, among others.
Carl's current work is on the Speed Channel
's grassroots drag racing competition Pinks
franchise. He is the composer and performer of the theme music as well as transitional music throughout the show. Through this endeavor, he has released a CD soundtrack for the show entitled Max Carl: Fuel, produced by Max & Steve Music, LLC.
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He is the current lead singer of the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them...
. In addition, he spent several years as the keyboardist and lead singer for the mainstream rock
Mainstream rock
Mainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
band 38 Special, for whom he co-wrote and sang lead on the hit song "Second Chance
Second Chance (38 Special song)
"Second Chance" is a song by American rock band 38 Special, from their eighth studio album, 1988's Rock & Roll Strategy. Written by keyboardist Max Carl, guitarist Jeff Carlisi and Cal Curtis, the song was released as the album's second single in 1989 and became the band's highest-charting song in...
".
Early life
Carl was born in 1950 in Platte Center, NebraskaPlatte Center, Nebraska
Platte Center is a village in Platte County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Platte Center is located at ....
and raised in Nebraska, graduating from high school in 1968. Throughout 1968–69, he played a significant role as a member of the Norfolk, Nebraska
Norfolk, Nebraska
Norfolk is a city in Madison County, Nebraska, United States, 113 miles northwest of Omaha and 83 miles west of Sioux City at the intersection of U.S. Routes 81 and 275. The population was 24,210 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Nebraska. It is the principal city of the...
-based New Breed Blues Band, during which time he enhanced his interest in rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
music. Beginning as a saxophonist in this band, he later became the lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
/keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
in the group. However, in 1969, he left to join the Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
-based Chancellors.
Developing musical skills
During the 1970s, Carl served stints with numerous bands across the Midwest, pausing briefly in 1976 to study pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and refine his songwriting abilities in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. He frequently performed with fellow Midwesterner Tommy Bolin
Tommy Bolin
Thomas Richard "Tommy" Bolin was an American-born guitarist who played with Zephyr , The James Gang , and Deep Purple , in addition to doing solo work...
in various jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
fusion groups. By the late-1970s, Carl had graduated to performing on albums by "bigger names," such as Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
and Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
.
Around this time, Carl decided to begin recording as a solo artist. His debut album, Whistlin' in the Dark
Whistlin' in the Dark (album)
Whistlin' in the Dark, released in 1979, is the first studio album released by Max Gronenthal, a.k.a. Max Carl.-Track listing:# "Sailfish"# "Still I Wonder"# "You"# "Lookin' For A Girl"# "Get It Straight"# "I Know Your In There"# "Sonya"...
was released in 1979 under his given name, Max Gronenthal. A second solo album, Max followed in 1980.
"Professional Career"
Throughout the 1980s, Carl immersed himself in session work, singing and/or playing on albums by artists such as Elton JohnElton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Dan Fogelberg
Dan Fogelberg
Daniel Grayling "Dan" Fogelberg was an American singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, whose music was inspired by sources as diverse as folk, pop, rock, classical, jazz, and bluegrass music...
, Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
, Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
, Glenn Frey
Glenn Frey
Glenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
, Timothy B. Schmit
Timothy B. Schmit
Timothy Bruce Schmit is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as bass guitar player and singer for Poco and the Eagles. Schmit has also worked for decades as a session musician and solo artist.-Early career:Raised in Sacramento, Schmit began playing in the folk music group...
, Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
, and Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
. In 1982, he also formed a 60s R&B cover band, which was eventually named "Jack Mack and the Heart Attack". This project also incorporated some Max Carl-penned original R&B-styled songs into their repertoire, including the semi-classic "Cardiac Party."
In addition to performing, Carl also found time during the mid-80s to compose tunes for various movie soundtracks, performing on many of them as well. Films such as Police Academy
Police Academy (film)
Police Academy is a 1984 comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson, and starring Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall and G.W. Bailey. It grossed approximately $146 million worldwide and spawned six more films in the Police Academy series.-Plot:...
(1984), Grandview, U.S.A.
Grandview, U.S.A.
Grandview, U.S.A. is a 1984 American comedy-drama film directed by Randal Kleiser. It stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Carole Cook, Ramon Bieri, John Cusack, Joan Cusack, M. Emmet Walsh, Michael Winslow, Troy Donahue, and Steve Dahl. The original music...
(1984), and Doin' Time (1985) include his compositions. In 1986, he would co-write "Come and Follow Me" as a duet with Marcy Levy, which played during the closing credits of the movie Short Circuit
Short Circuit
Short Circuit is a 1986 comedy science fiction film starring Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg and directed by John Badham. Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, and G. W...
.
Meanwhile, in 1985, Carl left Jack Mack and the Heart Attack to record his third solo album. Unlike the first two solo albums, The Circle would be released under his stage name "Max Carl." The album's title track would be included on the soundtrack for the John Hughes film Weird Science
Weird Science (film)
Weird Science is a 1985 American teen comedy film written and directed by John Hughes and starring Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Kelly LeBrock...
. Later that same year, Carl was invited to join .38 Special, a request that he eventually accepted.
Carl rehearsed with the band frequently, and by 1988, he joined forces with the southern rock
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
stylings of .38 Special. That year, the band would release the Rock & Roll Strategy
Rock & Roll Strategy
Rock & Roll Strategy is the eighth studio album by southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1988. It was the first album to feature new vocalist and keyboardist Max Carl...
album, which included the Cal Curtis/Jeff Carlisi tune that was reworked into (giving additional writing credit to Carl) "Second Chance
Second Chance (38 Special song)
"Second Chance" is a song by American rock band 38 Special, from their eighth studio album, 1988's Rock & Roll Strategy. Written by keyboardist Max Carl, guitarist Jeff Carlisi and Cal Curtis, the song was released as the album's second single in 1989 and became the band's highest-charting song in...
," featuring Carl on lead vocals. "Second Chance" introduced .38 Special into a whole new market, when it reached the top of the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1989. Carl remained in .38 Special into the 1990s, but left shortly after the release of the band's Bone Against Steel
Bone Against Steel
Bone Against Steel is the ninth studio album by southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1991. It was their last album until their 1996 comeback of their tenth album Resolution and the last album to feature vocalist and keyboardist Max Carl....
album in 1991.
At this point, Carl moved to Nashville, where he continued to write/perform on tunes for the likes of Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
, Bad Company, Richard Marx
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
, and Charlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels
Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is known primarily for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has performed and written. Daniels has been active as a singer...
. Later in the 90s, he became fascinated with a "family" of musicians in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
who performed a very original historical and heartland-infused brand of music. Relocating to Mississippi, Carl began performing with this group of musicians, forming what would become Max Carl and the Big Dance. This experience ultimately culminated in the release of the album One Planet – One Groove (under the "Max Carl and the Big Dance" moniker) in 1998. Featured on this album are several of Carl's original compositions fused with this new "southern funk"/"Mississippi sound," as well as covers of various 60s hits done in this style.
Miscellaneous
In addition to the artists already mentioned, he has performed with artists as diverse as James BrownJames Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, Otha Turner, and Jennifer Warnes
Jennifer Warnes
Jennifer Jean Warnes is an American singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. She is known for her interpretations of compositions written by herself and many others, as well as an extensive playlist as a vocalist on movie soundtracks.Between 1979 and 1987 Warnes surpassed Frank Sinatra as...
, among others.
Carl's current work is on the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
's grassroots drag racing competition Pinks
Pinks
Pinks is a franchise series of television programs on Speed Channel based on illegal street racing, held at legal closed drag strips with a theme around drag racing. The original aired from 2005 to 2008, with the spinoff Pinks: All Out following in 2006...
franchise. He is the composer and performer of the theme music as well as transitional music throughout the show. Through this endeavor, he has released a CD soundtrack for the show entitled Max Carl: Fuel, produced by Max & Steve Music, LLC.
As "Max Gronenthal"
- Whistlin' in the DarkWhistlin' in the Dark (album)Whistlin' in the Dark, released in 1979, is the first studio album released by Max Gronenthal, a.k.a. Max Carl.-Track listing:# "Sailfish"# "Still I Wonder"# "You"# "Lookin' For A Girl"# "Get It Straight"# "I Know Your In There"# "Sonya"...
(1979) - Max (1980)