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Bill Carleton comes from a musically gifted family - a music scholarship/endowment at Colgate University is named for his aunt and muse, the late Mary Kate Carleton. But it wasn't until Carleton's college days at the University of Delaware that he began writing and performing. Upon returning to Connecticut, Bill relentlessly performed at open mics, taking whatever steps necessary to have his music heard, which led to well-received performances at venues such as Toads Place, Iron Horse Music Hall and The Bitter End having supported acts such as Ari Hest, The Last Goodnight, Toby Lightman and The Alternate Routes.

"Bill Carleton comes equipped with a troubadour's soul and a backlog of brilliant original tunes. His music is emotional, with catchy hooks, enchanting lyrics, and captivating melodies." -- Keith McBride, Northeast Performer Magazine.

With lyrical songwriting and a universal emotional appeal, Bill Carleton has spent the last decade impressing audiences all over the Northeast. Influenced by Shawn Colvin, similar to John Mayer, and evoking Dave Matthews in his shows, Bill remains brilliantly unique - a talented songwriter, producer and advocate for the people.

"Carleton has a touch of James Taylor's reedy voice, but none of the kumbaya quaintness that tarnishes much of Taylor's best known work. What comes through clearly is Carleton's exceeding sensitivity." -- Dan Barry, The Hartford Advocate

** Bill Carleton Band is the Hartford Advocate's Reader's Poll Choice 2006 Winner of: Best Duo (Bill Carleton and Lee Sylvestre), Best Bassist (Dan Prindle) and Best Drummer (Travis LaMothe) **

** Campus Activities Magazine Selected Bill Carleton Band as a Featured Upcoming Act **

"He's got a voice that walks the fine line between strong and suave and he's got a backing band that's tighter than spandex." -- Keith McBride, Northeast Performer Magazine

As a group, the band's live performances remind one of Counting Crows and the Barenaked Ladies, with electric and acoustic renditions of Bill's songs, as well as respectfully covered tunes by Bruce Hornsby, Johnny Cash, John Mayer and Men at Work.

His most recent release, "Squeeze the People" (December 2009) is a self-produced project that is Music for the People: a Free Enterprise compilation with a real agenda -- to bring awareness in helping us to combat the Global Economic Crisis.



COLLEGES PLAYED

-Saint Joseph College - CT
-University of Connecticut - CT
-Eastern Connecticut State University - CT
-Central Connecticut State University - CT
-Northwest Connecticut Community College - CT
-Yale University - CT
-Brookdale Community College - NJ
-Monmouth College - NJ
-New Jersey Institute of Technology - NJ
-New York Medical College - NY
-Cornell Medical College - NY
-Marist College - NY
-Mass Liberal Arts College - MA
-College of the Holy Cross - MA
-Tufts University - MA
-Wellesley College - MA
-Penn State University - PA
-University of Delaware - DE

VENUES

-Toad's Place (New Haven, CT)
-The Webster Theater (Hartford, CT)
-The Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ)
-Tribeca Rock Club (New York, NY)
-Columbus Theater (Providence, RI)
-The AREA Venue (Newport, RI)
-AS220 (Providence, RI)
-Coda (New York, NY)
-Kenny's Castaways (New York, NY)
-Club Groove (New York, NY)
-Alphabet Lounge (New York, NY)
-Pete's Candy Store (Brooklyn, NY)
-The Stone Balloon (Newark, DE)
-The Space (Hamden, CT)
-Club Blu (Hartford, CT)
-Vanilla Bean Cafe (Pomfret, CT)
-The Thirsty Turtle (Stamford, CT)
-The Playwright (Stamford, CT)
-Main Pub (Manchester, CT)
-John Harvard's (Manchester, CT)
-Connecticut Agricultural Fair (Goshen, CT)
-Cafe Tazza (Providence, RI)
-West Side Arts Center (Providence, RI)
-Iron Horse Music Hall (Northampton, MA)
-Theodore's (Springfield, MA)
-The Common Ground (Allston, MA)
-Skybar (Somerville, MA)
-Zeitgiest Gallery (Boston, MA)
-The Point (Faneuil Hall - Boston, MA)
-East End Cafe (Newark, DE)
-Brewed Awakenings (Newark, DE)
-Klondike Kates (Newark, DE)
-Deer Park Tavern (Newark, DE)

He has shared bills with National and Regional acts such as:

- Ari Hest
- Toby Lightman
- The Alternate Routes
- Mieka Pauley
- Will Dailey
- The Last Goodnight
- Apathy
- Bobby Strange (toured with Springsteen)
- Snoozebox
- Steve and Jonny Rodgers of Mighty Purple
- Noam Weinstein (recorded with Nora Jones)
- Naomi Sommers
- Lori Amey (Lillith Fair '99 Performer)
- Laurie MacAllister (recorded with Dar Williams)
- Pat Wictor
- Tim Blane

Instrumentation
Bill Carleton -- Acoustic Guitar / Vox
Tony Parlapiano -- Keys / Organ/Backing Vox

Discography

LP Squeeze the People - December 2009
EP Contintental Breakdown -- May 2008
LP "Diving Dreamers" -- June, 2006
CD Preview "Do It Yourself" -- May, 2005
Debut LP "As Promised" -- July, 2004.
Radio Airplay:
-XMU Artist Unsigned (February 2007) XM43
-WZBG 97.3 Litchfield, CT.
-WPLR 99.1 New Haven, CT
-WESU (Wesleyan College)
-WICC AM600, Bridgeport, CT
-WPKN (University of Bridgeport)
-WCHC Holy Cross Radio -- College of the Holy Cross.
-WVUD "Cutting Edge" -- University of Delaware
For booking information, please contact Bill Carleton:
bill@billcarleton.com
860-799-0350