Carl Sims Can't Stop Me CD

Whether it is a message to himself, to a loved one, or for the younger generations of today, Emerson's lyrics all have a purpose. While most of his songs are autobiographical, many songs also evolve from other people's stories that he has heard over the years. The critics agree. "His lyrics catch people's attention, as they relate to so many people's experience with relationships and life encounters." (SF Musician) "Emerson is a keyboard maestro. Playing a funky bass-line with his left hand while his right hand works big block chords and organ solos, Emerson fools you into thinking there are three people doing his part. When you see him live, you see that one human being is doing all that by himself. "His music is honest and moving. Songs like Love is Knocking, Don't Wake Me Up, and Grow Wiser, express a deeper search through the soul for knowledge, love and experience." (Frank Zeccola, San Francisco Observer) Emerson's musical career started when he was 14 years old -- just old enough to brave breaking a few rules in order to make it possible. His favorite song to "sing his heart out to" was Otis Redding's Lover's Prayer. He would sneak out at night and sing it as the last song of the night at a local club in his home country of Belize. (It was a real hit, even with his Mother and sister who had the shock of seeing him one night, at age 14, when he was supposed to be fast asleep at home!) Emerson is completely self-taught, and a natural musician. In his younger years, Emerson's instruments of choice were the drums and guitar and, of course, singing. He was part of several bands in Belize until leaving for Europe in his late teens. He then did not pick up music again until arriving in Los Angeles and forming a band with other Belizeans for a few years. Life and work changed for Emerson so he dropped music for almost twenty-five years. It wasn't until 1995 that he purchased a Yamaha keyboard and began to really develop his own style of music as he taught himself a new instrument. He spends several hours each day in his studio in Oakland, California, honing his craft and writing songs. When he's not in his studio writing and recording, Emerson likes to spend time with his wife and daughter, go to the beach and work in the yard. But, spending time in the studio and performing are two of his favorite things to do. "It seems the more I learn, the more I want to play, and the more I play, the more I want to learn," he says. Emerson uses various different musicians depending on the performance venue. For smaller venues, he usually uses a saxophone ...