Michelle Lee On Air Caroline Owens – August Artist Spotlight
Artist Spotlight – August 2024
Denton, NC is a small town in North Carolina that is known for giving that true “small town” feeling to both residents and visitors. Denton is just under two square miles in size and is home to for under 2,000 residents. It may be a small town (outside of Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greensboro) but it has so much to cover. In town you can find the widely known Denton Farm Park that is family owned and offers a variety of activities along with having the largest display of steam, gas, and antique farm equipment in the Southeast. If you prefer being on the water, then High Rock Lake is the place for you. High Rock Lake is one of the largest lakes in NC and is the spot for any water sport you can think of. In addition to all the beautiful scenery, restaurants, shopping and lake activities, Denton, NC is now known for being the hometown of one very talented rising bluegrass artist. This month we are shining the spotlight on that rising star – we are hoping to bring the attention of Caroline Owens to many more people.
Heartbreak songs are Caroline’s favorite type of song to write. You would think being born in February, the month of love, that love songs would be her favorite. Nope, not Caroline’s – she will tell you that probably nine out of 10 songs are sad, and she loves sad, emotional songs. Now, with that said, when she writes, Caroline is always looking for that different idea/thought, a change in the melody or chord structure or with the goal of writing something that is relatable to folks. She is always searching for that song that allows fans to feel something when they hear her music whether it is a happy, inspirational or a ballad of love loss song.
While Caroline was born and raised in Denton which she will always call home but is also making Nashville, TN her home part-time lately. The music world may keep her busy and, on the road, but she always loves coming home to Denton, NC when she can. Her music journey began at the young age of two yrs. old when Caroline graced many with her talent of singing. While the audience was always forgiving, the ability to share the stage with her grandpa (a Baptist Preacher) on Sundays and midweek services helped build Caroline’s confidence to where it is today. To accompany her voice, she began playing piano at the age of eight yrs. old and then picking up the guitar at the age of 12.
Do you remember what you were doing at the age of 16? Well, Caroline was sitting on a couch singing “When God Dips His Pen of Love” with Suzanne Cox of The Cox Family and Alison Krauss, 2021 IBMA Hall of Fame Inductee. That is a moment that Caroline will remember for life and always talk about. Alison Krauss has always been Caroline’s biggest inspiration and a guidance to where she is now in life. Caroline didn’t mention how long she was speechless when she first met Alison Krauss, let alone to be able to sing with her. Caroline also remembers that first time she was ever “star struck”. Winning her first big competition that was hosted by The Isaacs, Caroline remembers being so nervous and barely able to speak when Sonya Isaacs came into the room. Having moments like these have definitely helped mold Caroline in her music career. If there was one artist/musician (that has passed) that Caroline would like to sit down and talk with was an easy question to answer. She would love to thank Keith Whitley for all the great music that he created and left behind for us to appreciate for years.
Talking with Caroline, I had to ask if there were any artists that she would like to do a collaboration with. It took her a while to narrow the list down to her top three, but I absolutely love the three she chose – a collaboration with Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, and/or Norah Jones would be off the charts!
We are all aware that Caroline has a beautiful voice but there are many who are unaware of her song writing talent. Billy Blue Publishing took notice of her songwriting abilities and signed her earlier this year (2024). Since signing her first publishing contract she has had the privilege of co-writing with many known songwriters like Jerry Salley, Rick Lang, Bill Whyte, plus many more. Just recently Caroline sat down with the songwriter extraordinaire, Mike Richards, for nearly 8 hours straight. The result was a song titled, “Falling” and is the song to date that Caroline is most proud about. Definitely something for us to watch for in the future.
As much as Carolina loves to write songs, she absolutely loves singing them and having the opportunity of touching others. When writer, Laci Mack, pitched Caroline a song titled, “Build Me An Ark”, it caught Caroline on the first note. Caroline loved the way the instrumentation wrapped itself around the vocal, and the upbeat “sing-songy” sound of a song that sounds much older than it is. It is timeless in the eyes of Caroline.
Caroline was told “Get a band. Play with anyone you can” by Alison Krauss and she did just that. If Caroline could offer any up-and-coming artist advice, it would be “You are right where you belong. It’s okay to give yourself some credit. Stand tall! You earned it!”. Caroline, herself, learned that imposter syndrome is real and that it was a difficult thing to go through as an artist, but she is an excellent example that you can keep it from holding you back.
Caroline Owens is an artist that has a voice that leaves a mark in people’s minds and hearts along with the words that she shares through her lyrics. Like many of her fans know, her songs have been no stranger to the Bluegrass Borderline Weekly Top 10 Countdown with Michelle Lee. Caroline Owen’s song “Heartbreak Train” was the #1 song on the Year End in Review of the Top #1 Songs in 2023. The past few months Caroline has been on the Weekly Top 10 with her song “He Loves Me Not”.
Rapid fire questions –
What is your favorite Holiday and why? Christmas. The Carols, the lights, and the chill in the air – she just loves the nostalgic feeling it brings me! She actually starts buying gifts in the summer. She started getting excited just thinking about it while answering these questions. Haha!
What is your favorite saying/quote? “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” – John C. Maxwell
What is your dream destination? Ireland, her answer will always be Ireland. She surely hopes she gets to tour there someday!
What state has been your favorite to do a concert/event in? North Carolina at The Malpass Brothers Country & Bluegrass Festival. It is her favorite event of the year, and of course her favorite state.
What was your first car? Black BMW 325 wrapped in a pink bow given by my patients on my 18 th birthday.
What is your dream type of car? BMW X6 – she sure does love her BMW’s
Do you have a hobby outside of music? She is a workaholic which causes her to not have many hobbies. When she does get a chance to take a break, she loves fly fishing and reading – sometimes even at the same time!
What is your favorite kind of Ice Cream? After a true internal struggle with trying to select only one flavor, a sucker for ice cream or anything sweet, for that matter – she finally made the decision and went with hand-dipped cotton candy. I have to admit, I am now on the hunt for this flavor!
Do you have any pet(s) and what are their names? 3 dogs: Sugar, Bella and Tank; 2 cats: Clementine and Baby. To give you more warm feelings, Sugar and Tank are both rescues.
What is your favorite book that you read or author that you like to read? Caroline’s favorite book of all time is “The Midnight Library”, by Matt Haig. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy novel, which follows the fictional life of Nora Seed, who finds herself in a library between life and death, with the opportunity to try out alternate versions of her life and find the one where she truly belongs. I read it 2 years ago, and still think about it every day. Five Stars!
What your favorite subject in school – high school or college? Science – she almost went into medical school to become cardiothoracic surgeon!
What is your favorite movie line? “Life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences, but rather it’s a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan”. My favorite quote from my favorite movie, “Serendipity”.
Announcements:
Caroline has been working on lots of new music in the Billy Blue studio. Many of the songs are her original songs along with some that she has co-written with. She has been working hard on her 2025 tour and is so excited, as it will be their busiest year yet. Until next year, Caroline is celebrating and feeling blessed for signing with Billy Blue Records, as both a writer and an artist, along with being nominated for the 2024 IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year.
Congratulations Caroline!
Make sure to head over to Caroline’s website, https://carolineband.com, for all up-to-date information and merch.
“Her soaring vocals have now caught the attention of our entire industry, and her songwriting and infectious personality are rare for her age. Caroline Owens is the whole package, and we believe she has an incredible future in bluegrass music! We are grateful to welcome her as the newest member of the Billy Blue Records family, and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial musical relationship!”
— Jerry Salley
