Alexa Carter

sstory by Lynn Lofton. Photos courtesy of The Alexa Carter Band and by John Stricklin.

18-year-old Gulfport native, Alexa Carter shoots for stardom in the Big Apple.
Get to know her now...before she’s famous.

Alexa Carter is a Gulfport girl determined to make her dreams come true. The 18-year-old daughter of Rick and Stephanie Carter is living in New York pursuing a career in the demanding world of pop/rock music. “It’s a hard business, but I believe I’m unique and the right age to get in it,” Carter said during a recent visit to the Coast. “I’m not intimidated by work. I have high energy. I’m in this mode and ready to get everything started. When I wake up every morning, I’m thinking about
it.” She always sang for her family and in the choir and vocal competitions
while a student at Mercy Cross High School. “Singing was always what I wanted,” she recalls. “I was inspired by musical theater and at first wanted to go into that.”
Additionally, she’s always written songs, thinking of melodies in her head until she taught herself to play guitar and could compose them on that
instrument. The tenth grade was a turning point when she asked her Dad to let her
sing for real. It was a difficult decision for the Carters but they allowed Alexa
to move to the Big Apple where she finished high school at the Professional
Children’s School. Students at the school are actors, models, musicians and
athletes whose school schedules are arranged around their work schedules.

“They had us do things to keep us inspired,” Alexa said, “and I did things on my own. I’ve seen every play on Broadway and a lot of movies. Plus I did things with my sister, Christina, who’s also been up there.” As a parent, Rick Carter says it was a hard decision to let Alexa move to the big city. Recently, Alexa and her sister, Christina, moved to a gated community on Long Island where they live near members of the Alexa Carter Band. “We have three sets of parents, along with her manager, Melissa Cross, looking after them,” he said. “We’re very
proud of her.” Rick and Stephanie Carter agreed to let Alexa sit out the first year of college to aggressively pursue a musical career. Her life is busy with voice, piano and dance lessons, rehearsals, work on production of a compact disc and preparations for regional tours that begin next month. As part of her preparation, Alexa is working with several professionals, including producer Josh Wilbur, whom she describes as a “spontaneous, bubbly man.”
“He made me try singing in a higher octave. He said, ‘don’t be scared, just do it,’” she said. “I wanted to experiment and it took a while to learn my voice.” At first the CD will not be available for sale but will be used to get her name out and given away on tour. Videographer Tommy Jones followed Alexa around for a year to produce a documentary-type electronic press kit to show who she is and what her daily life is like. The documentation included a visit to Gulfport to film the aspiring singer in her home environment. Manager Melissa Cross, who is also her voice teacher, pulled together the Alexa Carter Band made up of talented young guys who’ve been playing since they were children. One of the member’s family sound proofed a practice room in their home for the group to use. “They are really looking forward to starting the tour in March,” Alexa said of band members. “They can’t wait.” Another part of tour preparation is working with well- known choreographer Jermaine Brown, who’s worked
with Justin Timberlake, Brittany Spears and Jennifer Lopez. “I have a great time dancing to my music and hope my Coast dance teacher, Kellie Dickens, will be pleased,” Alexa said.
Although she has a raspy, jazzy voice, she says her style
is more rock but still mainstream. “I’ve heard the CD and loved it. It’s not too hard rock,” Rick Carter said. “I sent it to a friend in the music business in Nashville. He thinks she’s got it and can do crossover if she wants to. I like the direction she’s going now and we’ll see what comes out of it.” He also points out that entertainment attorney Joel Katz of Atlanta believes Alexa has what it takes and took her as a client. “That doesn’t mean he can guarantee she will make it, but his taking her on as a client is big,” Carter said. “Some people were surprised he did that.” For her part, Alexa is happy to have her parents’ support and counts them as her biggest fans. Another fan is Carson Cain, a childhood friend. “I think her music is inspiring,” Cain said. “I was shocked hearing the notes she was hitting on the CD. I
didn’t know she could do it but she did.” Alexa wants listeners to relate to the songs she writes and sings. “I want a lot of people to relate to my songs,” she says. “For that reason, I don’t want to write too specifically, but I try to experience things and give everyone something to which they can relate. I wrote Pour Out Your Heart about three of my friends going through hard times, but everyone goes through hard times.” Alexa acknowledges she has a long, long way to go but has no regrets about the path she’s chosen. “The stars
must line up; that’s the biggest challenge,” she says. “I have some great connections but there are thousands trying to make it like I am.” She also sees herself as something of an ambassador for Mississippi. “Maybe Christina and I are changing some perceptions of Mississippi,” she said. “People don’t know about the state and are surprised when they meet us.” Although a reality show about two girls from Mississippi was offered to the Carter sisters, they and their parents declined the idea. “We passed on that,” Rick Carter said. “We thought the show’s producers would want drama and expect a Mississippi stereotype we don’t portray.” Alexa isn’t sure when her CD will be available to South Mississippi residents but is currently working on a website to keep friends and fans informed. In the meantime, her career can be followed at www.myspace.com/alexacartermusic.
- smliving.net