carmel charlton

Growing up on a farm in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia Carmel Charlton has never had any doubt where her talents lie. With her rich voice, encouraging messages and catchy originals, the talented Australian singer-songwriter, guitar and piano and ukulele player paints her musical pictures using images of Australia, its people and places. Carmel has performed extensively in both her home state of WA and Nationally.

With her beautiful resonant and clear voice she entertains her audiences in a relaxed and friendly way. Carmel studied classical guitar at the Western Australia Conservatorium of Music. She has a fine guitar style with a touch of classical intermingled with folk/country. She is also an accomplished pianist and teaches guitar, piano and voice.  

Among recent performances are Canberra Country and Blues and Roots Festival in Queanbeyan NSW, the Merry Muse in Canberra and ANZAC Albany 2014 where she performed with violinist Jude Iddison.  Other performances include Folkworld Fairbridge Festival,  Troubadour Central Coast, Illawarra and Tamar Valley Folk Festivals, Nannup Music Festival, Astor Theatre, Perth and 'live' on ‘Australia All Over’ program at ABC in Sydney in 2013.

She has both won and been a finalist in many song writing contests. Her song 'Spirit of Mokare' reached the finals in the folk category of the MusicOz Awards. "Calling My Name" was placed 4th in Spiritual Category of Australian Songwriting Contest. Also reaching the final was "Water in Our Lives", "Life is Precious" and "Water More Precious than Gold".

You can check out some of Carmel'’s Award winning and most requested songs at www.carmelcharlton.com

Carmel is often requested to write songs for special occasions.  She was approached recently to write a song and produce a CD to commemorate 90 years of the Country Women's Association in Western Australia.  After many hours of research, inspiration Carmel wrote and recorded "Well be There".  Check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElRJQx-Qg6Q&list=UUtGnFkJR1VEhbxVQkO27gqA

Carmel will take her new show "The Great Ride" to venues around Australia in 2015.  It is based on a letter/diary of Ned Moriarty who was a member of the 10th Light Horse Regiment during the pursuit of the Turks all the way to Damascus in 1918.  Images, songs and dialogue are included in the Presentation.

Carmel is also Artistic Director of Tranby Carols by Candlelight and runs Jackadder's Music Club in Woodlands.

Comments from show

"It was a cold, wet night but hard to find a seat last night when Carmel Charlton performed at the Troubadour in the Woy Woy. We knew she would be good, but still it was truly special to be able to experience a performer like her in person. What a beautiful voice. Clean, inventive, delicate guitar. And a swag of amazing songs. Worth crossing the country for.

"Carmel knows how to work a hall and get an audience involved. We were singing, clapping stomping on the floor and moving our hands in gestures to accompany her. And what a finale, with the beautiful gospel songs of Angels Watching over Me and Swing Low Sweet Chariot entwined, with the audience singing like a well rehearsed choir.

Carmel's love for W.A. came out through the night as she transported her audience back across the continent. Singing about both the south and the north of the state, she told us of its history, of its place names, of its people and some of its larger than life personalities. She also sang about universal themes. One songs that's stuck in my mind is her own 'Whispers on the Wind', based on the final messages of love that passengers in the doomed planes of 9/11 sent their loved ones'" Michael Fine President Troubadour Central Coast. N.S.W.
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"Her voice, her versatility and banter with the audience and stories relating to the songs had me completely engaged. It flowed so effortlessly. I'll definitely be at her next show". Toni Italiano, Recording Engineer Pet Rock Studios Western Australia