Melissa Carper
Celebrated for her profoundly observational lyrics, "homespun sensibility," and a voice that curls like a croon from a gramophone, Melissa Carper plays old school country music that resonates across time and place. Carper's repertoire weaves together the threads of old-time, bluegrass, western swing, jazz, and blues that all intertwined to form American country music. Veteran Nashville musician Chris Scruggs dubbed her "HillBillie Holiday," declaring, "She's as good as it gets. She has a quality that really transcends time and fashion." Carper's acclaimed debut solo album, Daddy's Country Gold (2021), is something of a greatest hits album born of those formative years, and her subsequent recordings Ramblin' Soul and Borned in Ya proved the staying power of her playful and profound songwriting. In 2026, Melissa released A Very Carper Christmas, which spins out a raft of instant holiday classics recorded with a bevy of friends. Released in February of 2026, Havin' A Talk is a duet album with Theo Lawrence, where they exchange playful banter with catchy, vibrant melodies. Melissa shines on stage, in workshops, and interacting with her audience in an intimate or educational setting. Photo by Liza Orozco.
Additional information
| Discipline | Music |
|---|---|
| Contact name | Chris Rhoades |
| Contact address | 4425 Mopac South Building II Suite 300B Austin TX 78735 |
| Phone 1 | 512-698-5679 |
| Phone 2 | |
| Public Performance | $3, 000 – $7, 000 |
| School performance | $2, 000 – $5, 000 |
| Workshop fees | $3, 000 – $7, 000 |
| Travel per diem lodging | $0 – $1, 500 |
| City | Driftwood |
| Website | |
| Special audiences | Libraries, People with disabilities, Schools, Seniors |
| School audiences | High school audiences |
| Venue size | Larger venues (concert hall), Medium-sized venues (theater), Smaller venues (library/club), Unplugged events/venues, Very large or outdoor venues |