singer, songwriter
For the record…
Disillusionment with the Christian music scene.
He became a solo artist
family values
Criticized by many reviewers.
song for son
selected discography
Fuentes
Carlisle jokes aboutbutterfly kisses, his self-titled hit album from 1997, making him an overnight sensation. The album was first released in 1996 aspilesof Grace for the contemporary Christian market and only later received Grammy and Country Music Association Award nominations.“This feeling at night”carlisle thesetv guide,“it lasted about 23 years.”
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Bob Carlisle began performing in clubs during the 1970s. He gained a reputation as a session musician in the early 1980s, singing background vocals for other artists and groups, includingBarry Manilow, REO Speedwagon, Newton Juice,variegated crueand poison. In 1984 he formed The Allies with Randy Thomas and Sam Scott. The group performed together for nine years and released six albums. He has released two solo albums on Sparrow Records,bob carlislein 1993 anda man's hopein 1994. He finally gained national attention in 1997 withButterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace), an album on Jive Records that went double platinum (two million
for the record…
Nation inSanta Ana, CA; married late 1970s; wife'her name, Jacque; children Brooke and Evan.
He worked as a session musician in the early 1980s.'is doing choirs forBarry Manilow, REO Speedwagon, Newton Juice,variegated crue, Poison and others; he formed the Christian rock band The Allies with Randy Thomas and Sam Scot in 1984; He co-wrote songs recorded by other country artists, including“Because'you come here looking for'So,”byparton doll; he released his first solo album,bob carlisle, na Sparrow Records, 1993;hope of a man, 1994; signed with Diadem, releasedshades of grace, 1996;shades of gracehas been repackaged and reissued asbutterfly kisseson Jive Records, 1997.
Awards:“butterfly kisses”won the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award for Inspirational Song of the Year and Song of the Year, 1997;Butterfly Kisses/Shadows of Gracecertified double platinum, 1997;“butterfly kisses”named Song of the Year, 1998.
Addresses:Record company —Jiva, 137–West 25th Street 139,NY, New York 10001.Manager—Ray Ware Management, 251 Second Ave. South, Suite 5, Franklin, TN 37064.website —www.bobcarlisle.com.
sold units). Ironically“butterfly kisses”it had been written as a gift to his daughter Brooke'sixteenth birthday and it was a song that Carlisle never intended to record.
A strong family man, Carlisle'S's family background has influenced his music. He tells a story about his seventh birthday, when his father took him to Montgomery Ward.'s and allowed the birthday boy to choose what he wanted. After giving the matter some thought, Carlisle selected a guitar. After that, his father also let him take guitar lessons. This was the beginning of Carlisle'a lifelong passion for music. He learned to play the guitar and read music; eventually he even learned arranging and orchestration.
Carlisle has a variety of musical roots. R&B was an early influence, withotis redding, Wilson Pickett eJames Brownamong your favourites. She grew up with bluegrass and country country music. Her father, an acoustic merchant.musical instruments, often allowed Carlisle to play with his friends; big musical names like guitaristdoctor watsonand double player Tut Taylor.
Disillusionment with the Christian music scene.
As a teenager, Carlisle became interested in the music of the Jesus movement in Southern California. He joined his first band, Good News, when he was sixteen. His next group was Psalm 150, where he met Randy Thomas, with whom he would later collaborate on many songs. Psalm 150 made an album. Eventually, however, Carlisle became disillusioned with the Christian music scene's opportunities to earn a living.
After high school, Carlisle was offered a music scholarship to college, but he turned it down to pursue acting. In the late 1970s, he married his wife, Jacque. They had two children together, a daughter Brooke and a son Evan. It was then that Carlisle established himself as a highly paid session musician, performing background vocals for many artists and groups. At the same time, he was learning the ropes of record production and was also playing a regular gig at the Rosie's.'yes, a club inThe Angels.
In 1984, Carlisle once again found himself dissatisfied with his job. The Christian singer hated the clubs and bars where he played. One night, in the middle of a show, he left the stage in disgust and prayed for guidance. Within a week, Sam Scott and his old friend Randy Thomas, who sang with the Sweet Comfort Band, a Christian group, asked Carlisle to become the lead singer of a new band called The Allies. This was the answer to Carlisle.'s prayers. The Allies were soon signed to Light Records. They were together for nine years and recorded six albums together.
He became a solo artist
The allies were based in Colton,California, but they played most of their shows at venues east of theRocky Mountains. They soon realized that a change toNashvilleIt made sense. After the group broke up, Carlisle stayed in Nashville,Tennessee, to pursue his career as a contemporary Christian artist and composer.“Because'you come here looking for'So,”a song that Carlisle and Randy Thomas co-wrote, was a hit forparton dolland his success strengthened Carlisle's confidence in his songwriting talent.
His first solo album,bob carlisle, was released on the Sparrow label in 1993 and not long after their second album Sparrow,a man's hope, it went off. Carlisle was released from his contract with Sparrow in 1994 and when Diadem president George King offered him a contract, Carlisle realized he had nothing to lose. At that moment, he completely changed his attitude towards music.“I decided to just write music with my heart and soul,“told Audrey T. Hingley aboutchristian reader,“and stop chasing musical success.”This decision resulted in the successshades of grace, released by Diadem in 1996. The album featured the Christian single,“mighty love,”and the surprise blow“Butterfly kisses.”
“butterfly kisses”it was carlisle'first great success as an artist. It was also her music that allowed him to move from contemporary Christian music to pop. Jive Records repackaged Shades of Grace for a mainstream audience in 1997 and in July of that year,Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace)it went double platinum. After being number one on the contemporary Christian charts for almost a year,“butterfly kisses”It was a surprise hitbillboard listsduring 1997. It remained in first place inoutdoorTop 200 Album Chart for seven weeks and also made its mark on the pop and country charts.
family values
Carlisle'S's songs characteristically contain simple messages and are delivered with his expressive voice. Her heartfelt lyrics and emotions often express her strong connection to family values. many songs inbutterfly kissesalso voices Carlisle'feelings towards other members of your family.“You must have been an angel”for example, it is a love song for his wife, Jacque. In“man of word,”Carlisle sings about his parents.“butterfly kisses”is a very personal song of his love and appreciation for his daughter, Brooke. Carlisle wrote the song after seeing some photos of her daughter that were taken over the years. She was almost sixteen at the time, and Carlisle realized that Brooke would be leaving home soon. She chronicled her wistful nostalgia in her song, which contains vignettes of her life from childhood to the time she would marry. Carlisle's wife then convinced him to play.“butterfly kisses,”he never wanted to record, to George King, who in turn convinced Carlisle to include it in hisshades of gracealbum.
“butterfly kisses”the radio play provoked an incredible response. Two veteran radio programmers, Roger Christian of WMJQ in Buffalo,NYand Joe Hann of WRCH in Hartford, Conn., each with more than 20 years of radio experience, noted that the demand for the music was unlike anything they had ever known. Carlisle produced a remixed country version of“butterfly kisses,”and two additional country versions were released shortly after the original, one by the Raybon Brothers and one by Jeff Carson. For a time it was the battle of“butterfly kisses”as all three versions competed simultaneously on the country's radio charts. Carlisle'The album's sales were boosted by its appearance onOprah Winfreyshow and his endorsement ofbutterfly kisses.
Criticized by many reviewers.
Critics were almost universally intrigued by the song.'popularityTempo'snamed reviewer“syrupy enough to serve with waffles.”heather birdtoronto suncalled“silly, tasteless, cloying.”While Kieran Grant, also fromtoronto sunCarlisle noted's“sincerity,”but i thought the melody“tasteless and instantly forgettable….”On a positive note,financial worldnewspaper proofreader, Andrew Peyton Thomas, noted that“butterfly kisses”was so immensely popular because it was“genuine…a strange song…destined to become a classic.”
Despite mixed reviews, Carlisle's fans seemed to have no reservations about“Butterfly kisses.”Carlisle sang a song that touched the hearts of many with his sincere expression of love for his daughter. The song inspired countless reconciliations between estranged parents and children, and soon became a standard at weddings. Carlisle himself sang the song on Brooke'He graduated from high school at Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee.
song for son
Carlisle put a butterfly kiss on Ann Oldenburg's.USA Todayas“the vibration of a'eyelashes on someone else's cheek.”Carlisle has been repeatedly asked if he plans a song about his son Evan.“Sim,”told Oldenburg,“It is'is called,'Get off of it!'”But he and Randy Thomas actually wrote a song for their two sons called“A father'is love.”About his future plans, Carlisle commented withrest and rest,“UE'I will do what I'I have always had, and that is to write and sing songs of my own need and my own passion.”
Carlisle is enjoying his current success, though the demands on his time have been fierce. the success ofbutterfly kissesit spawned several related books, some of them written by Carlisle. He turns down TV specials and other lucrative offers to honor past commitments, like small concerts at churches and county fairs, and to be with his family, whom he considers his priority. the success ofbutterfly kissesIt will certainly open the door to other mainstream music opportunities for Carlisle.
selected discography
bob carlisle, On Board, 1993.
a man's hope, On Board, 1994.
shades of grace, (includes“mighty love”mi“butterfly kisses”), diadem, 1996.
Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace), (includes“You must have been an angel” “man of word,”mi“butterfly kisses”), Jive, 1997.
with the allies
allies, Luz, 1985.
virtues, Luz, 1986.
Shoulder to shoulder, Primavera, 1988.
far from paradise, DaySpring, 1989.
The river, DaySpring, 1990.
man with a mission, DaySpring, 1991.
selected writings
(Com Randy Thomas)“Because'you come here looking for'So”(song), Dolly Parton, 1984.
butterfly kisses(children's book), Tommy Nelson Publishing, 1997.
Butterfly kisses (children)'sbook, available as audio read by Carlisle and his daughter, Brooke), Golden Books, 1997.
butterfly kisses(letters between fathers and daughters), Jack Countryman/Word Publishing, 1997.
Butterfly Kiss Diary(father-daughter magazine), Word Publishing, 1997.
Butterfly kisses and bittersweet tears(stories told by and for Carlisle), Word Publishing, 1998.
“Second of Louisiana,”(music), Mel McDaniels.
“red Neck Son,”(music), Ty England.
Fuentes
newspapers
billboard, May 31, 1997; June 28, 1997; July 5, 1997.
Chicago Tribune, July 10, 1997.
christian reader, September/October 1997, p. 21–24
rest and rest, May 30, 1997.
Tempo, June 30, 1997.
son of toronto, August 19, 1997; July 17, 1997.
tv guide, September 20, 1997, p. 34–35.
USA Today, May 12, 1997.
financial worldDaily, July 22, 1997.
Online
www.allmusic.com
www.bobcarlisle.com
www.canoe.ca/JamAlbumsC/Carlisle_b_butterfly.html
www.young-country.com/BobCarlisle.html
Additional information provided by Spin Cycle publicist Melissa Hambrick.
—Debra Reilly