Biography

Gordon Carter was born in Cumberland which is located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The second oldest of four boys, he is a third generation valley resident and it is his roots and love of the land that comes through, not only in his music and lyrics, but also in his performances.

Gordon has been writing and performing music since his early teens. It was the early influences of folk artists such as Bob Dylan, John Prine, Joan Baez and Emmylou Harris that inspired and encouraged him to hone and perfect his art.

With his innate storytelling gift, combined with a compassion for the land he lives on, he brings to life stories of draft dodgers, touching tales of his family, and social/political songs from the local area.

Gordon's sense of melody and thought-provoking lyrics make him one of the foremost songwriters in the Comox Valley today. This talent is not only recognised by his local peers but also gained attention outside Canada. One of his songs, "The Last Blue Moon," was recently recorded in Nashville by country performer Diane Gentes. Another song "St Regis Hotel" was recorded by English/Canadian artist, Sue Pyper, on her CD, "Before You Learn To Fly".

Diane Gentes first heard “The Last Blue Moon” on a trip to the Comox Valley, and is hoping to record more of Gordon Carter's songs on her next CD.

Gordon’s debut CD "Rivers & Roads" has been a long time coming. The CD, produced by Doug Cox, was released in July 2005, and contains 13 self-penned tracks . It features some of BC’s finest musicians such as Daniel Lapp, Diamond Joe White, Tammy Fassaert and Sue Pyper.

Gordon Carter is a rare breed in this world. He writes from the heart and writes about his local heritage and homeland. He is the kind of songwriter that defies time. In this day of mass-produced music, his work stands up against the classic songwriters of our day. If we had a 2005 Woodstock, Gordon Carter would be there. >

Tammy Fassaert, famous Bluegrass performer who performs a Gordon Carter song in her live performances, says:

“Gordon Carter’s songs tell poignant stories of colourful characters from various chapters in Vancouver Island’s past, evoking empathy and kinship in listeners while drawing them in to the scene."

Gordon is not only an excellent songwriter and performer, but he is an accomplished musician, enhancing his songwriting with a guitar-picking style he has made his own. He is an Old School storyteller and songwriter in a world that is too short of artists that can relay history in the musical and oral tradition that Canada was founded on.

It is this tradition that inspired Gordon to take his music on the road. He is a prolific performer and is a favourite amongst the Vancouver Island music scene.