Cort Carpenter is a class of 2012 alumnus who was starting first baseman for the Pilots. His love for baseball was hindered, however, when he was in a car accident that hurt his back and prevented him from continuing. Carpenter then found a new dream in country music. (Photos courtesy of Cort Carpenter)
By Lydia Laythe, Staff Writer laythe16@up.edu
After adjusting his gloves, he walked up to home plate. He leaned over and tightened his grip on the bat. Adrenaline rushing, blood pumping, heart racing. He looked out, imagining the arc of the ball as it soared high above the field. He looked at the pitcher and breathed in. The ball left the pitcher's hand. He breathed out.
Now, instead of adjusting his gloves and imagining a homerun, he has a new ritual: He hangs his cowboy hat from the microphone before every show and puts it on as the first song begins.
Cort Carpenter, class of 2010 alumnus, played baseball for the Pilots while he attended UP. In an unexpected turn of events, he is now in Nashville performing country music.
"The stage reminds me of home plate," Carpenter said. "I wanted to be that guy to make the big play or big hit. That's what I craved. When baseball was done, getting up on stage [gave me] that same feeling."
As a starting first baseman for the Pilots, Carpenter dreamed of pursuing baseball after graduation. On Sept. 11, 2010, Carpenter was in a car accident that hurt his back and prevented him from continuing.
Carpenter turned to music, and is rising quickly in the country music world. Carpenter released his first official CD entitled "Those Nights These Days" in January.
"On stage [is] where I feel best at," Carpenter said. "[When I'm not playing], I wish I was because I want to be up on that stage, making people dance and scream and have fun."
Carpenter never considered a career in singing until the accident, and most people didn't know he could sing.
"That's the funny thing," Carpenter said. "I never sang in front of [anyone,] even my parents, until I started singing in 2010 and really took it seriously."
Jeff Kerssen-Griep, communications department chair, was Carpenter's adviser while he attended UP.
"I didn't know he could sing while he was here," Kerssen-Griep said. "It's doesn't surprise me though. He was quiet in class, but there was some whimsy under there. You could see a sparkle in his eye."
Carpenter only sang while he was out with friends at karaoke bars for fun. But as he sang more, people noticed and asked him to form a band.
"I got some serious interest from people and we formed a band, and that's when people [found out] I sang," Carpenter said.
Tucker Brack, assistant baseball coach, knew Carpenter in junior college and they became closer while Carpenter was at UP.
"We all kind of laughed at him at first," Brack said, "Until we heard him."
Carpenter said his musical success helped him realize the importance of chasing your dreams.
"When one thing comes to an end, like it was for me in baseball, or if your dream has been taken away from you, there's always something else you can do and excel in," Carpenter said. "Maybe that [thing] becomes the thing that's most fond to your heart, and that's what music has become for me."
(Photos courtesy of Cort Carpenter)
(Photos courtesy of Cort Carpenter)
(Photos courtesy of Cort Carpenter)
(Photos courtesy of Cort Carpenter)
