An Evening with Carolyn Shulman

Denver-based songwriter Carolyn Shulman knew from the time her father gave her a guitar and taught her some chords at nine years old that she wanted to play music for the rest of her life. However, it wasn’t until after she had gotten through seven years of working as a lawyer in Houston, Texas, performing in local venues when she could, that she finally decided to focus her full attention on her lifelong passion of writing and performing original music.

Most heavily influenced by the women who helped define contemporary folk & Americana music before her, Carolyn’s sound is a nod to artists like Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lucy Kaplansky, Susan Gibson, and Patty Griffin. In the vein of these musical role models, Carolyn builds powerful emotional landscapes by layering poignant, vulnerable lyrics atop skillful guitar work that varies from driving rhythms to intricate fingerpicking.

A seasoned live performer, Carolyn is known for quickly charming audiences with her sincerity, humor, and warmth. She has played for audiences since she was 14 years old, getting her start in restaurants and coffeeshops in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama, and going on to perform in Texas venues while she attended college and law school in Houston. Since moving to Denver, she has performed on some of Colorado's favorite stages, including Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (as a songwriting showcase finalist) and Denver's legendary folk venue, Swallow Hill Music.

In 2021, Carolyn released her debut album, . Produced by John McVey at Cinder Sound Studio in Longmont, Colorado, this album features a full band of seasoned musicians. It was released to positive reviews and enjoyed three months on the Folk Radio Charts, climbing to number 22 and placing Carolyn among June 2021’s top 40 most-spun artists on folk radio. Following her successful album release, Carolyn was selected from a pool of 300 contestants as one of ten finalists to perform in Planet Bluegrass’s 2022 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase.

In September 2024, Carolyn released her second full-length album, . This collection of ten songs reveals a more seasoned and experienced artist who has deepened her creative focus. Heart on a Wire finds the songwriter delving into character-driven narratives, social issues, and her emotional world. Working with producer John McVey once again, the sound of this album ranges from traditional, acoustic folk with hints of bluegrass to a more folk-rock and Americana vibe. Across the board, the production is rich and warm, enhanced by a full band.

Heart on a Wire debuted among the top 20 albums on the September 2024 Folk Radio Charts, and the project has received glowing reviews from music critics. You can listen to or purchase both of Carolyn’s albums anywhere you find music.

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