Inspired by the mountains of Colorado where she was born and raised, Carin Mari is a songwriter from the heart who is passionate about playing her own brand of music. In 2001, Country music quickly became her focus when friend and mentor, Michael Martin Murphey, suggested Carin learn “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” After twenty years of continued dedication, her talents as a guitarist/singer/songwriter have won her numerous awards, including 2009 Entertainer and Songwriter of the year from the NACMA, Female Vocalist and Female Entertainer of the year for South Plains College, and eight Colorado Country Music Awards. In 2010, Carin, entered the Texaco Country Showdown and won the Southwest Regional final and a trip to Nashville. She felt her dreams coming true when she performed one of her original songs on stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the televised Showdown finals, where she came in second place.
Carin toured in the early nine years of her career with her two brothers as the band, “Carin Mari & Pony Express,” winning numerous awards and playing formidable venues. Together they release five albums that have received worldwide airplay. Although there have been many highlights in her career, being a guest artist on Michael Martin Murphey’s Album, “Tall Grass and Cool Water,” was an incredible honor and has received great reviews. Parcbench.com had great comments about their duet of “Springtime In The Rockies,” saying, “Carin Mari sings this duet with clarity, matching Murphey’s authenticity with every yearning note. This song brings the formidable album to a stunning close.”
With a desire to advance her abilities and credibility as a musician, Carin, graduated from South Plains College in 2012 with a degree in Commercial Music, majoring in voice and guitar. In August of 2014, she graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Mass Communication, Leadership, and English with a focus in creative writing. While still pursuing her own career, Carin is also thrilled to be the lead guitar player in, Michael Martin Murphey’s, Rio Grande Band. After recording her sixth album, “Miles Per Hour,” in August of 2015, Carin fell in love with the Nashville atmosphere and was inspired to return in 2017 to record her album, “Rambling Daughter.” In 2019 Carin once again returned to Nashville to record and release her album, “Queen of the Mountains.” The album has a unique sound she has been striving to find that showcases her songwriting ability and her creativity as a songwriter. 2021 brought new and exciting things to Carin’s life, including her brand new album, “Home,” which released in August. Carin produced this album remotely with Ryan Murphey and Keith Compton and worked hard to ensure this is her best album yet! It is Carin’s ninth album and her fourth professional project as a solo artist. Carin was also honored to open for Clint Black during a fundraiser for St. Judes Children’s Hospital. Check out her music at www.carinmarimusic.com and follow along with her career on her Social Media pages.
