Carlene Carter Plays with Elvis in Memphis

Bernie Taupin congratulates Carlene Carter after a rousing show at the Mint in LA in conjunction with the release of her new Yeproc cd, STRONGER. Photo: Robert Matheu

CARLENE CARTER PLAYS WITH ELVIS IN MEMPHIS

AND

WEEKENDS WITH BERNIE ALL TO SUPPORT HER NEW LP

Third generation country royalty maven Carlene Carter continues her musical voyage following the release of her new LP STRONGER on Yeproc Records. Known for bridging all sorts of musical genres and bridges, Carter opened for Elvis Costello in Memphis and at the Ryman in Nashville last week. She then jetted to LA to play a sold out show at hip venue The Mint ,where she was joined by producer and former Doobie brother John McPhee.Says McFee: "Carlene's heart and soul just come through. . . . She's smart and she's a good writer, so you know it's gonna be good."But this is more than just a bunch of songs," he added. "She pulls no punches. She's brave and she has this attitude to face life, to go on. She's been through a lot and she figured out how to pull something from it."

Longtime fan and Elton John partner Bernie Taupin ( writer of Goodbye Yellowbrick Road and Candle in the Wind) came to the show to congratulate Carlene. Like her peers, fans at each show were wildly enthusiastic and welcomed their queen back with open arms and standing ovations. Elvis Costello wrote McPhee immediately after hearing an advance copy of the record "I couldn't't let a day go by without writing about C.C.'s record- it is astounding!", he said.

Carlene, a wild child of the '70s L.A. country-rock and U.K. punk scenes, has emerged from a life that scanned far wilder than any country song. But in her own prolonged addiction and the 2003 deaths of paramour Howie Epstein, her mother, stepfather and sister Rosie, she found the strength to return to writing and created "Stronger," a song cycle that documents the pain, loss and courage it took to regain control of her life. Says Carter: " you know, everybody's lost somebody, got their heart broken, wanted to take the snot out of someone, been madly in love. . . . It's part of real life if you're living it." She certainly lived it , and at times those around her wondered whether she'd survive the downward spiral of shady characters, drug abuse and personal tragedy. "Once I started writing, it all flooded out of me," she says. "I've always been one of those people -- once I start something, I have to get it all out, because it gets me."

In spite of her musical laughter, Carter's been through things that would topple most. Rather than crumbling, she's emerged with a project as shiny and ebullient as her punk-era "Musical Shapes" or her 1990 mainstream country hit "I Fell in Love." Opening "Stronger" with a revved-up train beat, "The Bitter End" serves as the prologue for a song cycle that moves through the harrowing path she'd been on with Epstein, the former bassist with Tom Petty's Heartbreakers whose own addiction troubles ended with his 2003 overdose. Review after review, critics and fans alike attest to her incredible songwriting and performance abilities all of which are better than ever.

Carlene takes her third generation Carter family music to Europe next week and will continue her tour in Southern California the end of May.

Carlene Carter plays with Elvis in Memphis and Weekends with Bernie all to support her new LP

Third generation country royalty maven Carlene Carter continues her musical voyage following the release of her new LP STRONGER on Yeproc Records. Known for bridging all sorts of musical genres and bridges, Carter opened for Elvis Costello in Memphis and at the Ryman in Nashville last week. She then jetted to LA to play a sold out show at hip venue The Mint ,where she was joined by producer and former Doobie brother John McPhee.Says McFee: "Carlene's heart and soul just come through. . . . She's smart and she's a good writer, so you know it's gonna be good."But this is more than just a bunch of songs," he added. "She pulls no punches. She's brave and she has this attitude to face life, to go on. She's been through a lot and she figured out how to pull something from it."Longtime fan and Elton John partner Bernie Taupin ( writer of Goodbye Yellowbrick Road and Candle in the Wind) came to the show to congratulate Carlene. Like her peers, fans at each show were wildly enthusiastic and welcomed their queen back with open arms and standing ovations. Elvis Costello wrote McPhee immediately after hearing an advance copy of the record "I couldn't't let a day go by without writing about C.C.'s record- it is astounding!", he said.

Carlene, a wild child of the '70s L.A. country-rock and U.K. punk scenes, has emerged from a life that scanned far wilder than any country song. But in her own prolonged addiction and the 2003 deaths of paramour Howie Epstein, her mother, stepfather and sister Rosie, she found the strength to return to writing and created "Stronger," a song cycle that documents the pain, loss and courage it took to regain control of her life. Says Carter: " you know, everybody's lost somebody, got their heart broken, wanted to take the snot out of someone, been madly in love. . . . It's part of real life if you're living it." She certainly lived it , and at times those around her wondered whether she'd survive the downward spiral of shady characters, drug abuse and personal tragedy. "Once I started writing, it all flooded out of me," she says. "I've always been one of those people -- once I start something, I have to get it all out, because it gets me."

In spite of her musical laughter, Carter's been through things that would topple most. Rather than crumbling, she's emerged with a project as shiny and ebullient as her punk-era "Musical Shapes" or her 1990 mainstream country hit "I Fell in Love." Opening "Stronger" with a revved-up train beat, "The Bitter End" serves as the prologue for a song cycle that moves through the harrowing path she'd been on with Epstein, the former bassist with Tom Petty's Heartbreakers whose own addiction troubles ended with his 2003 overdose. Review after review, critics and fans alike attest to her incredible songwriting and performance abilities all of which are better than ever.

Carlene takes her third generation Carter family music to Europe next week and will continue her tour in Southern California the end of May.

New Horizons Open House

CONTACT: Marva Dale Greenwood
New Horizons Corporation
(615) 360-8595
mdgreenwood@newhorizonscorp.com

NASHVILLE--New Horizons Corporation will host an open house on Friday, May9 to introduce the community to its programs benefiting persons withdevelopmental disabilities. Service recipients will showcase their talents at theorganization's production facility at 5221 Harding between 1 and 3 pm.

"We have invited business leaders, mental health professionals and politicalleaders," said Marva Dale Greenwood, executive director of the non-profitprogram. "We want everyone to meet some of the hardest working, mostconscientious and enthusiastic workers in Middle Tennessee."

On New Horizons' production floor 79 service recipients perform simple handassembly, shrink wrapping, and custom packaging for 19 Middle Tennesseecompanies. All employees are individually trained for their tasks and are paid fortheir output. Twenty staff members ensure the work is completed on time, onbudget and without error.

New Horizons supervises 30 other service recipients who perform janitorial andlandscaping services for contractors such as the Army National Guard, the AirNational Guard, Metro Water Works and TDOT at interstate highway rest areas.

New Horizons is currently seeking additional commercial work to offsetreductions in government funding. Reimbursement from the State of TennesseeDivision of Mental Retardation has recently been reduced by more than 6% andhas placed an extraordinary strain on New Horizons' financial stability.

"We also want everyone to be aware of the full range of opportunities our servicerecipients have," Ms. Greenwood said.

An increasing number of service recipients are being integrated into thecommunity through assisted living programs under New Horizons management,while others live in group settings where they receive round the clock care fromNew Horizons staff.

"New Horizons has served our community since 1971," said New Horizons boardchair Joyce Watts. "We were the first organization of our kind. We are proud ofour service recipients and the value they add to community life. It's wonderful toshare this with the community."

BACKGROUND
Before 1971 no organization served the needs of some of Middle Tennessee's mostvulnerable citizens--adults with developmental disabilities. That year a group of familymembers and others began New Horizons Corporation. Over 27 years theorganization's work has been validated time and again. Today New Horizons servesmore than 100 people with a staff of 90.

We've collected some of the questions we hear most frequently and hope the answersprovide a full picture of our work.

What is New Horizons Corporation? New Horizons is an agency providing employment and residential support services fordevelopmentally disabled adults with 90 staff members. It was incorporated on May 14,1971, and is governed by a Board of Directors. New Horizons qualifies as a 501-c-3corporation under the IRS Code.

Who does New Horizons serve? The individuals at New Horizons have diverse disabilities such as Down syndrome,cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy. Many have additional physical disabilities.Programs are for men and women aged 18 and over with no upper age limit.

How is New Horizons funded? About 62% of New Horizons' $4-million annual budget comes from the TennesseeDepartment of Mental Retardation. New Horizons also receives support from the UnitedWay and other community organizations. The families of some service recipients payNew Horizons directly for client services. A growing portion of New Horizons' income isthe result of work employees perform for commercial clients.

What programs does New Horizons offer? In New Horizons' production center, employees receive training to perform supervisedwork. Each workday morning about 90 employees take their places assemblingcomputer component boxes, correlating informational packets, shrink-wrappingproducts and completing other piece work for which they are paid. Other employeeswork similar jobs at companies such as Wright Conso. An additional 75 employees workoutside in the community performing janitorial and landscaping work in locations suchas the Army National Guard and TDOT rest areas.

Does New Horizons stand behind employees' work? Job coaches assist each employee in developing the skill set each task requires andthen they provide ongoing onsite support. Employees take great pride in completingtasks on time and to specification. The result is satisfied customers--in fact somecurrent customers have maintained contracts with New Horizons for ten years or more.

Who are some of New Horizons' commercial customers? Among companies currently utilizing the services of New Horizons employees areWilson Sporting Goods, Austin Foam Plastics, Gideons International, InternationalPaper and National Envelope.

What residential programs does New Horizons have? New Horizons concentrates on supported living programs, in which two or three servicerecipients rent homes or apartments and hire support personnel. New Horizons alsomaintains group homes, in which up to eight service recipients live with 24-hour staffsupervision and support.

How do I enroll a family member or acquaintance? Call or e-mail your request for a meeting with the New Horizons Administrative Director.The agency will schedule an initial meeting with you and help you through theapplication and enrollment process. Most programs qualify for funding from theTennessee Department of Mental Retardation Services.

Does New Horizons accept donations? New Horizons gratefully accepts support from the public.

How does New Horizons use contributions? Gifts can be earmarked either for a specific program or project, or for the general fund.General funds are used where needed most.

Are contributions tax-deductible? Gifts to New Horizons are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Can I volunteer my time? New Horizons welcomes volunteer involvement. You'll need to complete an applicationand attend an orientation.