Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Carmon
Tim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started as a 9 year old with the desire to play after seeing a man for the first time play piano. Before then I had only seen women (including my mother) playing the piano.
After that I was obsessed and had to play and that went from competitions with my sister playing cartoons to soon passing her. I played day and night from early in the morning before school to as soon as I got home from school, I played (after homework) until late at night. I was truly obsessed.
That led to me playing for as many as 3-4 churches/groups by the time I was 13. Also because I was tall as a kid, I started playing in jazz clubs at 14 soaking up as much as I could.
Listening to artists like Chick Corea, The Yellow Jackets, Michael Franks, etc. Going to sleep with headphones on with those bands and artists, and wasn’t suppose to because my dad was a pastor and Jazz wasn’t “God’s music”
What a time to be a live..
Playing my piano that had all the black keys in the middle of the piano gone from literally playing all day and they started falling off…
Then moving from DC at 17 to ATL to pursue music and then 9 months later to Los Angeles and that’s when things really started going full speed ahead. 19 auditioning for Stevie Wonder and playing with him 5 nights in a row for hours.. Unreal..
To Gladys Knight, Gerald Albright, Lalah Hathaway, Marcus Miller, David Sandborn, Babyface. Having the opportunity to play for Tina Turner and turning it down.. All before I was even 23…By the time I started with Eric Clapton I was just turning 24…
I’ve now moved more into only producing and managing a few artists such as grammy winning artist, ALYA and Eddie Pimental from Brazil and others. I’ve had God blessing and looking out for me. I have had a great many doors opened for me. Not to mention that during the time of touring, I was also writing and producing for artists as well.. I’ve truly been blessed
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not completely smooth but not really that rocky.. When it comes to playing, I’ve been blessed to work with so many artists and playing on over 250 records.
Producing has been more of my struggle road. Mainly because I was going back and forth and not really establishing myself.
Not having a “sound” was also somewhat of a struggle because I played for so many different kinds of artists that I wanted to do the same thing with my production. Most people in the business want you to be labeled with one style and I never liked that and I believe that’s the main reason I have had somewhat of a struggle with production.
Or the artists that see you only as a musician or the artists that only see you as a producer. Pretty funny how we’ve been taught how to think about things and not truly be free to think for ourselves.
We’ve been impressed with Carmon Enterprises, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business has definitely been versatile in producing, managing, and consultation with artists.
Specializing in bringing all the wisdom I’ve learned in 30+ years to artists to help them form and shape their lives in this business of music.
What sets me apart is my willingness to help artists, see them grow, and expand into their dreams for the love of it. People willing to help people has gone array sadly. Everything is about how much you can get or take people for and I want to leave a legacy of helping others… I think that’s an art long forgotten.
I’m really into helping people .. I’m not saying I do things for free all the time but there should be some form of exchange that is beneficial for both parties.. Like a real connection..
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think the way of finding a honest mentor or networking with someone who is really in the business can be difficult but not impossible.
There are so many artists everywhere.. Youtube, IG, TikTok.. Everywhere there’s somebody who is singing or playing an instrument whether good or bad and to get through the noise to find someone special isn’t easy.
Persistency, consistency and prayer along with talent will open the doors for anyone.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timcarmon/
