Pam Temple and Spencer Funk are Wild Carrot

This Cincinnati-based, award-winning group has what it takes to please all types of Roots music fans. With a foot in traditional American music, their repertoire branches in diverse directions: from award-winning original tunes to swing, blues and traditional songs, using guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, concertina, and vocals. With additional instrumentation and vocals they expand to “Wild Carrot and Their Roots Band”, performing as a trio or quartet. Wild Carrot’s entertaining and moving performances have often been described as “honest, soothing, uplifting and fun all at the same time”, moving an audience from laughter to tears and back again in a way that makes the listener feel like they’re in a conversation with old friends. All of this adds up to a performance that’s been described as “seamless”, “life-sized complex, subtle and powerful” and “a joy”.   Their latest CD Between the Darkness & the Light has been called, “…an immaculately-performed piece of art filled with life, love and above all, musicality” Elaine Diehl, Around Cincinnati.

Awards and Honors

Chosen twice to serve the U.S. State Department as cultural ambassadors to Chile, South America by the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, they were finalists for the prestigious Kerrville New Folk contest, winners of the Walnut Valley New Songs Showcase for Folk, were named Best Folk Act and nominated for Artist of the Year by the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. Wild Carrot has received training from The Kennedy Center for the Arts, specializing in integrating the arts into school curriculum through specialized performances and songwriting workshops. They are on the juried rosters of the Ohio Arts Council’s Artists on Tour, the Arts Midwest Performing Arts Fund, the Cincinnati Arts Association, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Bio

Both from Cincinnati, Pam and Spencer are rooted in traditional folk music but branch in diverse directions. With a background in classical vocal training, Pam has performed in many venues from coffeehouses to opera houses. Her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica helped her develop an honest and intelligent song-writing style. In addition to songwriting and performing, Pam hosts an American Roots specialty show on NPR affiliate WNKU radio. Spencer has always been drawn to fingerstyle guitar but has studied and performed many styles including jazz, blues, and classical. He has been in demand as a sideman over the years and teaches guitar, mandolin and bass. Pam and Spencer met in 1991 at the 50+ year-old Leo Coffeehouse when he was managing the place and she was singing at an open mic. After a few years they decided to join forces and as their musical relationship took root so did their personal relationship and they’re still growing. With any luck both will continue long after people stop asking, “Is the name ‘Wild Carrot’ a reference to her hair?”

What’s in a name?

So, why the name “Wild Carrot”? Wild Carrot is another name for Queen Anne’s Lace. Wild Carrot’s music has been described as being strong and complex but delicate and simple; rooted the solid earth of tradition and untainted by commercialism, like Queen Anne’s Lace.

Education & Outreach Opportunities for Wild Carrot

Our Roots Are Showing! Interactive Performance
Bringing a little something new for everyone – even the adults will hear something new – this performance features a wide variety of American Roots music; from jazz and folk songs to show tunes and original material. Spanning the last century with an interactive style that keeps all ages interested, the artists demonstrate and discuss the history and geography of the music and the people who brought it to this country. The artists share and demonstrate a number of instruments, including guitar, mandolin, concertina, lap dulcimer, and banjo. The nature of the performance allows the artists to address curriculum areas such as Language Arts, Geography, History, Social Studies and Science. This award-winning group will get your hands a-clappin’, your toes a-tappin’ and even the most reluctant of singers hummin’ along.

Testimonials About Wild Carrot

“By the end of the evening, your audience will have experienced an excellent performance artistically and will have come to know Pam, Spencer and their group in the process.”
— Mike Morris, Former Executive Director / The Midland Theatre

“WILD CARROT & their Roots Band made art that lifted us out of our seats. How could music so beautifully transcendent be so wonderfully fun at the same time?”

– Tina Salamone, Executive
Director, Burlington Capitol Theater

“Wild Carrot & the Roots Band gave a fabulous performance, charming the audience with their choice of music and beautiful harmonies. It was a ‘feel good evening’ all the way around.”
— Shirley Stary, Lakeside Assn.

“Pam’s beautiful voice and Spencer’s tasteful guitar and mandolin work has great appeal for me…soothing songs, sweetly sung and simple done.”
— Stacy Owen, Music Director, WFPK radio, Louisville, KY

“…a whirlwind of Roots music forms, touching on Bluegrass, Country, swinging Jazz, Modern Folk and Celtic music – the original songs stand up remarkably well against the well-chosen covers – with a consistently masterful grace (and) flawless four-part harmonies.”
— Mike Breen, City Beat (CD review for Crowd Around the Mic)

Wild Carrot on the Web

Website – www.WildCarrot.net
Facebook – www.facebook.com/wildcarrotmusic
Reverb Nation – www.reverbnation.com/wildcarrot
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/wildcarrotmusic