Two Time Stellar Award Nominee……
Terri Carroll is a veteran vocalist, songwriter, and intercessor. Formerly signed with CGI Records where her labelmates were Vicki Winans, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Christianaires, William Becton, Lisa Page, and Witness and James Hall, she is now, proudly, an independent artist.
Terri is the CEO/Founder of Widow’s Mite Entertainment, the production company/label that she established as a vehicle for her self-released musical offerings. While pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing, Terri is also an internet radio show host, actress of the gospel stage, and a budding filmmaker.
Terri Carroll started singing in her grandmother’s “sanctified” church at the age of 3. At 17, her professional career began with her writing and singing commercial jingles that were aired on Chicago area radio stations. Terri experienced college, the army, marriage, and motherhood. Sometimes there was room for the music and sometimes not. The break-up of her marriage, however, signaled a need for Terri to go back to what she knew best; singing. With 3 small children to raise, Terri hit the Atlanta club scene.
She went from fronting one of Atlanta’s premiere jazz bands, to leading her own in just a few short years. There was a dark and abiding secret that tugged steadily at the edges of Terri’s dreams. She had been introduced to drugs and alcohol years earlier and their effects had rapidly become hard to manage.
One day in 1996, a knock at her door brought a message from the Lord. It was her old high school friend and beau turned record producer; Terry Garmon. He wanted to do a gospel project, she always wanted to be a songwriter, and the rest is history.
Terri’s debut album released on CGI Records titled, Terri Carroll, has proven to be a timeless classic, which is evident in the airplay that album still receives today. Terri Carroll, the debut project released on CGI records in 1998, earned her two nominations at the 14th Annual Stellar Awards. Unfortunately, the demise of that record label, resulted in Terri finding herself without a deal and no clout.
She was out of the “loop”, but, the same God that delivered Terri from the demons of chemical dependency, is the same God whose face she sought for answers about what to do next.
In 2005, Terri released an EP titled Holding Out 4 God produced by Paul Persley. Says Terri, “Holding Out 4 God is so special because it represents, for me, the challenges of working outside of the mainstream gospel industry machine. As an independent artist with virtually no budget, it was definitely a step out on faith. I had to depend solely on God.”
Terri has starred in several, gospel stage plays including Can A Hoochie Become First Lady? featuring Keith Sweat, Listen to the Spirit, and in April 2007 the critically acclaimed True Love. Currently, Terri is recording her sophomore music CD. Terri has also spread her creative wings with the filming of her first movie short, This Is Not Your Destination” which she wrote, produced, cast and had a principal lead role in. She also was assistant director and the movie wrapped in February 2009.
She is also pursuing a double degree in Business and Media Production with a concentration in film. “I feel so blessed that God has given me His love and strength,l my children and family, and an opportunity to do His work through song. Terri’s advice to other aspiring artists? “Whatever God has for you, he has equipped you fully for it. Continue seeking His face and operating in His Will for your life. The race is not given to the swift or to the strong, but to the one who endureth until the end. Never quit!”
Currently, Terri has a new single release entitled “Happy” which is available at www.terricarroll.bandcamp.com, iTunes, Amazon and other fine digital outlets. You are invited to get an up-close and personal look and listen of Terri’s music ministry by visiting http://www.terricarroll.com.
For booking and all other inquiries please send all email correspondence to widowsmiteent@gmail.com.
Hear Terri Carroll on VertiKal Bistro’s Women On The Rise
Celeste Duckworth
