Biography
Carolyn’s pure natural voice, innovative melodies and well crafted lyrics weave a fusion of folk, country, bluegrass and Celtic roots music into uplifting stories of life, love, family, friendship and the simple journey of the human heart
With a voice compared to the likes of Mary Gauthier and Judy Collins and the humorous sensibilities of Connie Kaldor, Carolyn writes songs that can make you laugh and make you cry
The Nashville Taxi Driver asked, "If you had to choose songwriting or performing, which would it be?" "Songwriting, without a doubt," said Carolyn.
Highlights include opening for singer-songwriter, Eric Bogle, performing in singer-songwriter showcases with Bill Henderson and Roy Forbes and folk duo Lester Quitzau and Mae Moore, Fred Penner, Wendell Ferguson, Shane Chisholm, Andrea England and Duane Steele. Co-wrote the Kelowna’s official Centennial song “100 Years” for the City of Kelowna and was a regular participant in the George Ryga Songwriting Workshops at The Ryga Center in Summerland, B.C.
Singer-Songwriter Carolyn Anele (a-NEL) loves to write songs. She can be found at the kitchen table with papers and files all around her of songs in various forms of completion. It's a rare occurrence these days when she has solitude to write but squeezes out whatever time she gets during the everyday activities of being a wife, mother and homemaker. "Family and music, it doesn't get any better than that for me!"
Carolyn was born in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada – a rural town in the North Okanagan Valley surrounded by lakes, rivers and mountains. As a girl, she preferred creating her own melodies on the old family piano to the tedious practicing of scales and traditional compositions. In 1990, Carolyn began a seventeen-year career as a support worker at a Women's Shelter. This work fostered her drive to pursue writing and performing. In 1996, Carolyn attended her first workshop, a Power-Song Shop designed for advanced songwriters in Vancouver, B.C. This affirming opportunity inspired Carolyn to continue learning and honing her writing skills. In 2000, Carolyn started her career as a solo artist, writer, promoting her original material. She was chosen to perform her own songs that summer at a fundraising event held for the B.C. Children's Hospital.
Carolyn's 2002 debut album, “The Harbour” features seven original songs – a mixture of folk, contemporary, blue grass, spiritual and instrumental music. Her CD won a 2003 KADAC (Kelowna & District Arts Council) Award of Honour for CD Release in the Okanagan. In 2004, Carolyn was nominated for the KADAC favorite female performer of the year and favorite folk artist of the year.
Coinciding with the release of “The Harbour” CD, Carolyn's sell out debut concert in the spring of 2002, combined her musical pursuits with her humanitarian efforts – a fundraising event for Inside/Out, a violence prevention program for teens.
Carolyn has since released her 4 song CD, self titled “Carolyn Anele” as well as her Single Release called “Where Birds Sing”. After taking time to raise her family, Carolyn released her first full length album, "Where Birds Sing" in the Fall of 2013 to a sold out crowd.
In the winter of 2015, Carolyn released a song called "Watch Me Fly", written for a dear friend who passed away from Parkinson's Disease. "He loved hiking, sailing and all things Nature. I like to believe he's out there free as a bird." Joining Carolyn on the song is award winning Singer Songwriter, Engineer & Co-producer Andrew Smith and playing acoustic guitar and a '64 Precision' bass is Guitarist, Singer Songwriter and Entertainer, Wendell Ferguson a multiple CCMA winner, Juno nominee and a recent inductee to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Carolyn released her second full length album in the Autumn of 2018 titled,
"Wishes, Dreams & Centuries"
Three songs on the album, Bring That Mountain Down, Watch Me Fly and The Goose Song have garnered awards in international song writing contests. Carolyn had a sold out concert in the Fall of 2018.
Carolyn currently resides in Vernon, B.C. with her husband, children, the family pets and performs for charities, benefits, festivals and showcases.