Valerie Carter
Encyclopedia
Valerie Carter to James J and Dorothy Carter, is an American
singer-songwriter
. Carter is perhaps best known as a back-up vocalist who has recorded and performed with a number of singers including Jackson Browne
, Don Henley
, Linda Ronstadt
, Christopher Cross
, The Outlaws and, most notably, James Taylor
.
Carter has written songs for Judy Collins
("Cook with Honey" from Collins' 1973 album True Stories and Other Dreams
), Jackson Browne
("Love Needs a Heart" from his 1977 album Running on Empty
) and "Turn It into Something Good" (from Earth, Wind & Fire
's 1980 album Faces) to name but three.
She has recorded six albums of her own.
On May 13, 2010, while out on bail and awaiting trial, Carter was again arrested in St. Petersburg, this time by the Pinellas County Sheriff's department for possession of cocaine, possession of chloral hydrate, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while under the influence, driving while her drivers license was revoked or suspended and resisting arrest without violence.
This second arrest resulted in her admission into a pre-trial intervention program, administered by Pinellas County Florida Court Judge Deanna Farnell.
This program, commonly referred to as "Drug Court," resulted in her voluntary commitment to a dual diagnosis rehabilitation facility for the medical comorbidity of anorexia nervosa and addiction to cocaine as opposed to being tried for the charges.
After spending ninety days in a Texas dual diagnosis rehabilitation facility she was re-released into the pre-trial program and after successfully completing all of the courts requirements she became a graduate of Judge Farnell's "drug court" program on May 25, 2011.
Her former employer, American
singer-songwriter
James Taylor
appeared at her "drug court" graduation ceremonies in a congratulatory effort on behalf of all of the graduates.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
. Carter is perhaps best known as a back-up vocalist who has recorded and performed with a number of singers including Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
, 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...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. His debut album earned him five Grammys. He is perhaps best known for his Top Ten hit songs, "Sailing", "Ride Like the Wind", and "Arthur's Theme ", the last of which he performed for the film Arthur starring Dudley Moore...
, The Outlaws and, most notably, James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
.
Carter has written songs for Judy Collins
Judy Collins
Judith Marjorie "Judy" Collins is an American singer and songwriter, known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records ; and for her social activism. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
("Cook with Honey" from Collins' 1973 album True Stories and Other Dreams
True Stories and Other Dreams
True Stories and Other Dreams is an album by American singer Judy Collins, released in 1973. It peaked at No 27 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts....
), Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
("Love Needs a Heart" from his 1977 album Running on Empty
Running on Empty (album)
Running on Empty is the fifth album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. Released in 1977, the album reached #3 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart in 1978 and stayed on the charts for 65 weeks...
) and "Turn It into Something Good" (from Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
's 1980 album Faces) to name but three.
She has recorded six albums of her own.
Later Years
On October 23, 2009 Carter was arrested in St. Petersburg Florida, by the St. Petersburg police department for two counts of possession of crack cocaine, driving while under the influence ("D.U.I"), driving with her license suspended or revoked, resisting arrest without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.On May 13, 2010, while out on bail and awaiting trial, Carter was again arrested in St. Petersburg, this time by the Pinellas County Sheriff's department for possession of cocaine, possession of chloral hydrate, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while under the influence, driving while her drivers license was revoked or suspended and resisting arrest without violence.
This second arrest resulted in her admission into a pre-trial intervention program, administered by Pinellas County Florida Court Judge Deanna Farnell.
This program, commonly referred to as "Drug Court," resulted in her voluntary commitment to a dual diagnosis rehabilitation facility for the medical comorbidity of anorexia nervosa and addiction to cocaine as opposed to being tried for the charges.
After spending ninety days in a Texas dual diagnosis rehabilitation facility she was re-released into the pre-trial program and after successfully completing all of the courts requirements she became a graduate of Judge Farnell's "drug court" program on May 25, 2011.
Her former employer, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
appeared at her "drug court" graduation ceremonies in a congratulatory effort on behalf of all of the graduates.
Solo albums
- Just a Stone's Throw Away — 1977
- Wild Child — 1978
- The Way It Is — 1996 (reissued in 2006 with different track list)
- Find a River — 1998 (5 track EP)
- Vanilla Grits — 2001 (compilation)
- Midnight Over Honey River — 2003 (issued as both CD and double CD)
Selected credits
- Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
— Warm Your Heart — (1991) - Al KooperAl KooperAl Kooper is an American songwriter, record producer and musician, known for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears , providing studio support for Bob Dylan when he went electric in 1965, and also bringing together guitarists Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills to...
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— Everything I Am — (2001) - Anne MurrayAnne MurrayMorna Anne Murray CC, ONS is a Canadian singer in pop, country and adult contemporary styles whose albums have sold over 54 million copies....
— Anne Murray — (1996) - Arnold McCullerArnold McCullerArnold McCuller is an American vocalist, record producer, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. While establishing his own career as a singer, and working as a very busy session musician, McCuller has become best known for his work as a back-up singer for famous artists with long careers, including...
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— Sweet Is the Melody — (2002) - Christopher CrossChristopher CrossChristopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. His debut album earned him five Grammys. He is perhaps best known for his Top Ten hit songs, "Sailing", "Ride Like the Wind", and "Arthur's Theme ", the last of which he performed for the film Arthur starring Dudley Moore...
— Christopher CrossChristopher Cross (album)Christopher Cross is the self-titled debut album by Christopher Cross, released in 1979 . In 1981, it won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year...
— (1980) - Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
— Force Behind the Power — (1991) - Don GrusinDon GrusinDon Grusin , is an American songwriter, producer and keyboardist. He holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Colorado and for a period of his life taught at the National Autonomous University of Mexico as well as at Foothill College, California before deciding to enter the music...
— 10k-La — (1980) - Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald 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...
:- The End of the InnocenceThe End of the InnocenceReleased in 1989, The End of the Innocence is the third album by Don Henley. It is his best selling album, selling over 6 million copies in the United States, peaking at #8. The album released three Top 40 singles "The End of the Innocence", "The Heart of the Matter", and "The Last Worthless...
— (1989) - Inside Job — (2000)
- The End of the Innocence
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— Playing for Keeps — (1980) - Eric CarmenEric CarmenEric Howard Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.He scored numerous hit songs across the 1970s and 1980s, first as a member of the Raspberries , and then with his solo career, including hits such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", "She Did It",...
— Change of Heart — (1978) - FreeboFreeboFreebo is a bass and tuba player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer noted primarily for his work with Bonnie Raitt. He is also a respected session musician who has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, John Mayall, John Hall, Aaron Neville, Dr...
— End of the Beginning — (1999) - Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn 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...
— Strange Weather — (1992) - Hoyt AxtonHoyt AxtonHoyt Wayne Axton was an American country music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. As he matured, some of his songwriting efforts became well...
— Southbound — (1975) - Jackson BrowneJackson BrowneJackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
:- I'm Alive — (1993)
- Looking EastLooking EastLooking East was considered somewhat of a letdown after the success of I'm Alive even after reaching the Top 40 of The Billboard 200. Critic William Ruhlman agreed, writing that the album "is a highly referential work from an artist who started where most end and has been earnestly seeking the...
— (1996)
- James TaylorJames TaylorJames Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
:- Gorilla — (1975)
- In the Pocket — (1976)
- New Moon ShineNew Moon Shine-Track listing:All songs by James Taylor unless otherwise noted.#"Copperline" – 4:22#"Down in the Hole" – 5:15#" Stop Thinkin' 'Bout That" -Track listing:All songs by James Taylor unless otherwise noted.#"Copperline" (Reynolds Price, J. Taylor) – 4:22#"Down in the Hole" – 5:15#"(I've Got to) Stop...
— (1991) - (LIVE)(LIVE) (James Taylor)Live is singer-songwriter James Taylor's fifteenth album, and first live album. Released in 1993, this double CD presents selections from 14 shows during a November 1992 tour...
— (1993) - (Best LIVE) — (1994)
- Hourglass — (1997)
- Greatest Hits Volume 2Greatest Hits Volume 2 (James Taylor)Greatest Hits Volume 2 is singer-songwriter James Taylor's eighteenth album, released in 2000, 24 years after his first Greatest Hits album.-Track listing:All songs by James Taylor unless otherwise noted.#"Secret O' Life" – 3:35...
— (2000)
- Jimmy WebbJimmy WebbJimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park"...
:- Angel Heart — (1982)
- Suspending Disbelief — (1993)
- Jorge CalderónJorge CalderónJorge Calderón, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer best known for his collaborations with Warren Zevon. He holds the unique distinction of having been credited on all of Zevon's post-1976 albums with the exception of My Ride's Here...
— City Music — (1975) - Julia FordhamJulia FordhamJulia Fordham is a British singer-songwriter based in California. Her professional career started in the early 1980s, under the name "Jules Fordham", as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and Kim Wilde.-Career:...
— Swept — (1991) - Julie MillerJulie MillerJulie Miller is a songwriter, singer, and recording artist currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. She married Buddy Miller in 1981...
:- Orphans & Angels — (1993)
- Invisible Girl — (1996)
- Keiko MatsuiKeiko Matsui, born in Tokyo as Keiko Doi, is a Japanese smooth jazz/jazz fusion/new age/ keyboardist and composer whose career spans three decades, during which time she has released twenty CDs and has received international acclaim....
— Sapphire — (1995) - Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
:- Winter LightWinter Light (Linda Ronstadt album)Winter Light is an out of print New Age-styled album by American singer/songwriter/producer Linda Ronstadt, released in late 1993. Although it sold less than 300,000 copies in the US, it stands as one of Linda's most acclaimed albums.-History:...
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— (1996)
- Winter Light
- Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
— The Last Record AlbumThe Last Record AlbumThe Last Record Album is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1975. .-Track listing:#"Romance Dance" – 3:49#"All That You Dream" – 3:52...
— (1975) - Lyle LovettLyle LovettLyle Pearce Lovett is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded thirteen albums and released 21 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Cowboy Man"...
— Road to Ensenada — (1996) - Maureen McCormickMaureen McCormickMaureen Denise McCormick is an American actress, celebrity and recording artist. She is most widely known as a child actress who played Marcia Brady in the television series The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974.- Early life and career :...
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— (1995) - Neil DiamondNeil DiamondNeil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
:- Lovescape — (1991)
- Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building — (1993)
- "Christmas Album, Vol. 2" — (1994)
- In My Lifetime — (1996)
- Nicolette LarsonNicolette LarsonNicolette Larson was an American pop singer. She is perhaps best known for her work in the late 1970s with Neil Young, as well as her 1978 cover of Young's "Lotta Love". The song, her debut single, was a Number One Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks hit and #8 pop hit that year...
:- Nicolette — (1978)
- All Dressed Up & No Place To Go — (1982)
- Randy NewmanRandy NewmanRandall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
— Born AgainBorn Again (Randy Newman)Born Again is the sixth album by American composer Randy Newman. It has been generally received by critics as one of the low points in his catalog, though fans were much more merciful with their opinions...
— (1979) - Rick DerringerRick DerringerRick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
— Free Ride — (2002) - Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
— Time Takes TimeTime Takes TimeAlthough the booklet's credits include the statement "Tom Petty appears courtesy of MCA Records," Petty is not listed as a player or vocalist on any of the booklet's track-by-track personnel listings.-Personnel:...
— (1992) - Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
— Fat City — (1992) - Tom JansTom JansTom Jans was a folk musician from San Jose, California. He is perhaps best known for his song "Lovin' Arms" , which has been performed and recorded by dozens of artists and bands, including Elvis Presley, Dixie Chicks, Natalie Cole, Kris Kristofferson, Olivia Newton-John, Rita Coolidge, Livingston...
— Eyes of an Only Child — (1975) - Vonda ShepardVonda ShepardVonda Shepard is an American pop/rock singer. She appeared as a regular in the television show Ally McBeal from seasons 1-5 in which she played a resident performer at the bar where the show's characters drank after work. She plays piano, guitar, and bass.-Biography:Vonda Shepard was born in New...
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— (1998) - Willie NelsonWillie NelsonWillie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
— Healing Hands of Time — (1994)