Eric “Shawn” Carnes – a 1985 Carthage High School graduate – has always loved music but he never expected that love would guide him to a new passion in Nashville, Tennessee.
About three years after high school, Carnes was entertaining crowds at Precious Moments when he captured the attention of a Nashville recording label. To pursue his dream, he moved to the Music City at the age of 26.
“I instantly loved the music community there,” he said. “It showed me a different side of the industry, and what it takes for an artist to become known. Songwriting was something I didn’t expect to latch onto. I was just an artist wanting to write my own material, but that interest added variety to my experience … Everything – planned or not – brings you to where you are right now.”
Carnes was a rock band musician for several years – living and working in both Nashville and Atlanta, Georgia – before he realized he wanted something different for his career. He said it was never an option to give up on the music business.
On top of songwriting – collaborating with Grammy award-winning artists and songwriters such as Gretchen Wilson – Carnes dove into media relations and worked several seasons casting for the NBC television show, “The Voice.”
“I immediately became addicted to helping extremely talented people find success – That’s my passion,” Carnes said. “If you ever get a chance to attend ‘The Voice,’ as an audience member, please do it because there’s so much energy in that room. It’s live on TV in front of the whole country – literally a million people are watching – and it’s beyond nerve-wracking for that artist on stage. After some time with the show, I realized I wanted to help the artists afterwards, too.”
In 2013, Carnes co-founded Nashville Underground Management with his business partner, Shawn Davis, and today they represent artists: Steven Battey, Bryce Green, Zeke Duhon, Arlo, Colleen Orender, Cole Burkett and Natasia Greycloud, who competed in the 2018 season of “The Voice.”
“It’s been awesome,” Carnes said. “Artist management encompasses so much. You create opportunities and guide artists in their careers. I want each artist to have something to look forward to, and I tell him or her: ‘it’s about the message – not the messenger.’ It’s a lot of work – you’re always on the phone with somebody, texting, emailing – creating opportunities and good movement for the artists. It takes a lot of sacrifice to make it to the next level.”
One of those sacrifices is time with family in Carthage, but Carnes said he visits whenever he can … and always tries to bring friends along for the ride.
“I’m proud of my roots,” he said. “The town has an artist vibe and is just beautiful. I encourage any young person in Carthage wanting to pursue their dreams – whatever interest it is – you have to make the move and immerse yourself in your passion. Be ready to learn, grow and go where the demand is. You just have to go for it, and don’t be afraid to find new passions – because that’s what happened to me.”
Congratulations Shawn
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