New E-book Published!

Okay dear friends, here's the e-xciting news I was hoping to share with you. My new novel, No Promises, is now an e-book! You can click here for a free sample. I hope you like it. If you do, and you feel so inclined, go ahead and downloaded the full book to your favorite device from the same page. And, I just got word that it has just been picked up by a few of the other popular e-book retailers that you probably already use. E-njoy!

Peace

Post-Production

Our documentary project, Impassioned, has moved into the post-production phase. We've now begun the process of reviewing hours of footage and audio before we start scripting and editing. I'm so excited!

Speaking of exciting, I will have some very E-xciting news to share with you in my next post. So be sure and check back soon. No, really, soon. I promise, you won't be waiting 3 months for my next post. It's always great when I have something new to share with you.

Peace

Road Trip

My wife, filmmaker Michelle Carter, myself, and Austin Jazz Alliance chairman Fito Kahn are on a whirlwind tour of Oklahoma filming for Impassioned, the documentary we are working on. Getting ready to head back if we can brave the snowy roads:

Happy 2015!

Wishing everyone a very happy, blessed, and prosperous New Year. Thank you so much for all of your support in 2014, and I hope that I can count on you in 2015. My eyes are set ahead with positive forward thinking; making plans to make this year better in all aspects than the last. God bless.

Peace

Baby it's Cold Outside

Yes, the weather outside is frightful, or at least darn right chilly. I guess I'm a temperate weather kind of guy.

So, I missed a post and calendar update last week. I didn't get to alert you of a gig we had yesterday. Yeah, so this is old news now. The DCQ performed out in Liberty Hill at Foundation Park for a Christmas Holiday community event. Outside. In the cold! But, it was great. There was a good crowd and lots of activities for the kids. We even pulled out our book of Christmas arrangements to heighten the holiday spirit. A great time was had by all!

Peace

Veterans Day

I am proud to say that I spent 10 years of my life in the U.S. Army, 1981-1991. If the circumstances were right, I'm sure I would have retired an Army Bandsman as many of the good friends I met along the way did. For the most part, it was a path worth traveling; so many valuable lessons learned. Though I know many of you say, "Sure, you were in the band, why wouldn't it be great." So, let me put the record straight. Bandsmen/women are soldiers, trained right alongside the Infantry, the Field Artillery, the Signal Corps, besides being outstanding musicians in the roles of ambassadors of peace and democracy, as well as training support for our fellow troops . Yes, we trained and prepared for the defense of this nation, as so many before us and since have done. I despise war; yet I am proud of all my fellow veterans that have given of themselves in both times of strife and peace for the good of us all.

With that said, let me invite you to the veteran owned Brass House this Veterans Day evening, Nov. 11th, 7pm to support Army Chaplain and author David W. Peters as he is interviewed by NPR's John Burnett in conjunction with The Front Porch on the release of his new book, Death Letter. While you're there, you'll be entertained by my very own Duane Carter Quartet (The DCQ). So, if you're in the Austin area, come on out!

Peace

Back to the Routine

Well, the Texas Jazz Festival is behind us now.  It was an awesome event with such an appreciative and enthusiastic audience.  We truly enjoyed it and we believe the crowd did as well.  I also got to meet up with my old friend Bill Churchville, L.A. studio session musician and former lead trumpeter with Tower of Power.  We last saw each other (FB not included) back in the mid '80s while playing in the Army Band stationed in Panama.  It was great to reconnect!

Now it's back to the normal routine: practicing, writing, and all those other -ings needed to better oneself.  Well, I should say sort of normal.  There are other projects looming, including the documentary my wife, Michelle Carter and I are working on in conjunction with Fito Kahn of the Austin Jazz Alliance.  It is the life story of Dr. Joe Bryant, an 87 year old WWII Veteran and still active jazz trumpet player.  We are currently in fundraising mode, so if you are so inclined drop by our Indiegogo page and help us make this a reality.

Peace