She signed a record deal with Dreamworks Records in 1999 and began recording her debut album. This album was set for release in 2000, but it was delayed because Dreamworks wanted to test Carter’s fan base before releasing the album in order to ensure its success. Her single, “Like Wow!” appeared on the Shrek soundtrack and received minor radio airplay. With this added exposure and popularity, Dreamworks announced the future release of the album. However, Dreamworks later cancelled the release, allegedly due to beliefs that Carter could not compete with pop performers at the time such as Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. Her debut album was never released, but the whole album can be found online. Carter started a small club tour in Canada in December 2005, and had a showcase in NYC on January 19, 2006, with hopes it would lead to a new record deal. The songs performed on this tour have her abandoning her bubblegum pop roots for a more mature, pop rock-oriented sound. Carter is co-writing her material with, among others, producer and High Holy Days guitarist Dave Thompson. Carter decided in late 2006 to make a band out of her backup musicians, and they now go by the name The OtherHalf. Aside from Carter, The OtherHalf consisted of Mike Ashton, DJ Porter, Casey Clowater, Paul Davidson, and Dave Thompson. Carter is seen writing music and performing her own songs for her siblings on the family’s reality show House of Carters. Casey Clowater, Paul Davidson, and Dave Thompson left TOH in 2007 for unspecified reasons, and was replaced by Sean Smit and Kirk Harber in May 2007. Kirk Harber also left after one show in May 2007. |
