Carl Wirkkala began working on his song-writing career long before he even knew it.

At the age of 3 he was known to tell detailed fictional stories to whoever would listen. Thirty years later, Carl is still crafting stories, now through his music, bringing to life songs of drifters, poets and dreamers born of an acoustic guitar and backed by his own honest, no-frills sound.

Carl was born on November 26th, 1974 in Longview, Washington. The second oldest of seven children, he quickly became known as the child full of imagination and sometimes an overabundance of practical jokes. His father, Orval, a hard working logger, settled the family in Castle Rock, Washington in 1978. There, Carl spent most of his childhood and teenage years outdoors playing sports and enjoying living in the country. Once, an 11-year old Carl was singing along with the record player and his father turned to him and said “I wish you were on the radio.” Carl was pleased with the comment til his father added dryly,“… so I could turn you off!” Unfazed, Carl thought to himself, “perhaps someday you will get your wish.”

Don Williams was the first country singer to capture Carl’s attention. Williams, along with Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and singing logger Buzz Martin were early musical influences that spoke to Carl immediately, yet it would still be several years before songwriting and a Washburn guitar would find their way into his life.

Through high school and college, several teachers noticed his writing talents and some encouraged him to develop them more. However, at the time, Carl was not convinced that his writing would get him anywhere and did not give it too much thought. By 1996, Carl found himself at a crossroads. The great Yogi Berra once said, “ If there is a fork in the road…take it!” So Carl did. After three years of college, low on cash and direction, he decided to take a year off from school, clear his mind, and make some money working in the woods.

By this time, Carl had been playing guitar for about a year, pestering friends with made-up observations of life. His first real song was written on a paper sack while riding in a crew bus on the way home from work. As he began to write more songs, Carl realized he had found what he really loved to do. Continuing to work in the woods, Carl continued to hone his writing skills as he worked his way up from the bottom of his father’s logging company.

The next several years flew by as Carl met and married the love of his life, Donna. They moved to a house in Kelso, WA, and had a son Lance in 2002, followed by a daughter, Brooke, in 2004. In the summer of 2004, Carl released his first studio album, Ghost Town, recorded in Vancouver, WA, at Nettleingham Audio. Shortly after, he formed a band and began playing a few shows locally and in surrounding small towns. In 2006, Carl released a second album called Freedom Town and continued to improve his songwriting skills. Later that year, with the timber industry on the decline, Orval, now a pastor in Minnesota, decided to get out of the logging profession for good. Knowing if he continued in the woods, Carl knew his songwriting would have to take a backseat. His passion for music was a key player in the decision to put his caulk boots away in an effort to become a better musician and writer. Since leaving the muddy hillsides and dangers of logging behind, Carl has worked in land-clearing, development, and construction work as he keeps his eye on his goals. His dream is to take his songs to the highest level and to continually improve his skills.

Commentary from Nels Niemela, CEO/President of Roaring Camp Music (Chassell, MI)

I first heard Carl sing back in 1999. One of my brothers gave me Carl’s CD that had been recorded at a home studio. The production and audio quality were not the best but the songs and his vocals made a real impact on me. At the time, I was traveling a lot for our family business and had plenty of time to listen to the radio and just “zone out”. I listened to Carl’s CD over and over again. The song content and his style really pulled me in.

Over the years I have kept in touch with Carl and his music. When I started getting involved in the music business and built a record label, one of the first people that came to mind as a possible artist was Carl. We began talking and hanging out in early 2007. Since then, we have co-written songs and have recorded several dozen demos at various studios on the West Coast.

Carl had mentioned to me that he was thinking of recording another album. I asked him if he would like to work with me on the project and sign-on as a recording artist for Roaring Camp Music. He agreed and in January 2009 we finished our first album together entitled Troubles & Trains. I’m proud of the project and happy to be involved with Carl. He’s a class act, hard working and just an all around nice guy. Troubles & Trains was recorded at a studio in Vancouver, Washington.

The recording was then mixed in Nashville at the Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa, owned by Cowboy Jack Clement. I worked with Cowboy on a previous project that he and I co-produced. During that process I would bring material in and have Cowboy and some of his staff listen to it. Brooks Watson and Luke Chalk are Engineers for Cowboy and they all fell in love with Carl’s soulful sound. Brooks became a big fan and told me that if Carl and I ever do a project together that he hoped I would consider him to mix the sessions. And that’s exactly what I did.

Carl is the real deal and a good friend of mine. It doesn’t hurt that we’re soul brothers when it comes to our musical taste either!

Thanks Cuz for all the great tunes! You’re the best!

CARL WIRKKALA

SEE CARL LIVE!

CALENDAR HERE