Voices of Praise concert showcases Valley gospel singers
Connie Allensworth
Carlton Stern, also known as C’Note, is helping local singers enhance their skills.
Linda King
Monica Kramer
When his gig writing a children’s show for the Discovery Channel didn’t pan out after he moved to Charleroi, Carlton Stern very well could have gone back to Hollywood.
But, to the surprise of many, he didn’t.
“The response I get, and sometimes it’s unspoken, is ‘What the hell are you doing in Charleroi?'” said Stern, who has lived in the Mon Valley river town for 10 years. “I came here and kind of got stuck. I had my eyes set on going back to Hollywood, but after a few years, I blinked, and I realized I had built roots. I ended up with some wonderful children’s songs. I hear them, and I get the giggles.”
His decision to stay in Charleroi has been nothing but good news for musicians throughout the Valley, as they are reaping the benefits of Stern’s experience working with singers in Hollywood.
Stern is the CEO/studio manager at Rhythm House Records and JINGLES.com, and on Sunday at 5 p.m., he will provide local talent with the stage they deserve during a Voices of Praise gospel concert at Geyer Performing Arts Center, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale.
“During that whole period of time when I first moved here, there really wasn’t any real outlet for quality performances,” said Stern, whose stage name is C’Note. “You have to have a certain amount of tenacity and bare yourself before people in the most appropriate setting your craft requires. Most venues here don’t offer that. You have to have the proper setting, good sound and perfect lighting.
“I see potential in bringing a professional look to the area. There are a lot of good songwriters who I don’t believe have the opportunity in their own backyard. I think there is a lot of talent in this general area. A lot of people around here don’t get the reality of being up close and personal, and having a shot at their dream.”
The concert will feature Connie Allensworth of Charleroi; Linda King, Monica Kramer and Trudy Taylor, all of Monessen; and the Believe Company of Pittsburgh, whose CEO, Randy Taylor, is a native of Charleroi.
“I cultivate and live vicariously through them,” Stern said. “I grew up in the church, too, and I would sing when I was little. I have my conflicts with religion, but still, one of the cool things about that is it left me with a sense of a moral compass. I love the music. I write a lot of contemporary Christian music.”
He also enjoys country music, which, he admits, betrays his Jamaican roots, leading some to call him a “confused brother.”
“I was listening to country music even when it wasn’t cool,” Stern said. “I do write some reggae, but I didn’t want to be pigeonholed. I’m more comfortable with country music. Country music taught me to be a good songwriter.”
He also has completed his first children’s album, although he’s “not finagled it into the marketplace yet,” and has enough material for six more albums.
Stern, who produced the Mon Valley Arts & Music Fest in 2014 at the Aquatorium, is expected to perform at the Voices of Praise concert as well, even though he suffers from lifelong stage fright.
Admission to the concert is $12, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warriors Project.
“This may sound cheesy to you, but I never went into the service. I feel these guys have given more than anything,” Stern said. “These guys fought for the freedoms I enjoy in the U.S. For me, I want to give a little back. They took the brunt for me. The freedoms we have here, unfortunately, somebody had to fight for.
“I look at a lot of charities out there, and this reaches out and grabs me. I think it’s the right thing to do. Maybe it’s coming from guilt. I’m not really a fighter. I want to personally give back.”