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Richard E. Carpenter, Born in Clayton, GA, in the Hospital that is shown in the movie Deliverance, Richard "RC Moonpie" Carpenter, was destined for musical excellence. He Grew up in Otto, NC in the Mulberry community and began playing drums at age twelve. By age fourteen, he was already pounding the skins for pay with various bands in the area and singing bass vocals with various gospel groups. Still in his teens, Carpenter and his cousin converted a shack into a recording studio on his grandfather's property. It was a 4 track using 1/4" tape. Two years later he took on partners and moved the studio to Franklin, NC. It was an Ampex 8 track facility (1" tape). Carpenter honed his drumming and engineering skills and set Music City in his sights. After moving to Nashville in 1978, Carpenter got his first big break…but it wasn't quite what he'd hoped for on his quest of playing music for a living. He was offered the job of driving the tour bus for Opry star, Dottie West. Eager to get his foot in the door in the music business, Carpenter graciously accepted the position to get closer to the musicians and hit makers. The gig paid off when one of the musicians introduced him to Don Schlitz, (The Gambler). That chance meeting led to a three year stint playing drums for Dickey Lee, A former Sun Records artist and hit songwriter. After realizing Carpenter's talents reached far beyond just playing drums, Dickey introduced Carpenter to Buzz Cason owner of Creative Workshop Recording and Southern Writer's Group Music Publishing. Buzz's songs were recorded by The Beatles, U2 and countless other superstars in all genres. Carpenter worked for Buzz for ten years holding various positions as tape copier, assistant engineer, song plugger and professional manager. Carpenter suddenly found himself surrounded by some of the most successful artists and songwriters in the music business. It was an education he could not have received in college. The next two decades would cement Carpenter's musical journey into history. He would perform on Star Search, Nashville Now, The Grand Ole Opry and the world renowned, Austin City Limits. As a songwriter, he penned numerous smash hits by superstars Tanya Tucker, KoKo Taylor, Tracy Lawrence and John Anderson to name a few. As the new millennium roared in, Carpenter was once again in the heart of the action when he landed a full time position playing drums both live and in the studio with Mercury Recording Artist, Eric Heatherly. Carpenter also co-wrote half the songs on Heatherly's debut, "Swimming in Champagne" which skyrocketed to the top of the charts. Carpenter toured the world with Heatherly and together they landed slots on The Late Late Show, CMT, GAC, The Grand Ole Opry, Austin City Limits and Fox & Friends to name a few. Carpenter composed the signature drum parts heard on Heatherly's world wide smash hit song and video, "Flowers On The Wall." Carpenter also played drums with Fred James on various Freddie and the Screamers albums, co-writing many of the songs. Not one to rest on his laurels, Carpenter dove full speed ahead into an unique musical endeavor…East Nashville Radio. Established in 2010, Carpenter's eastnashvilleradio.com carved out a niche for Nashville that caught on nationally and globally. Carpenter's playlists were about quality as opposed to quantity. The roots music station was a staple for music lovers and Americana enthusiasts worldwide.                                            Carpenter has now completed a self produced compilation album of some of the songs he has written over the years. A few new songs came along while working on the project. Those include the title song, "The Roads I've Run", "(I Had) Breakfast With Elvis", "RC & A Moon Pie" and "Menace To Sobriety".  Songs on the Album that have been covered by major artists are: "Wrong Five O'Clock", recorded by Eric Heatherly, "Love On A Blue Rainy Day", recorded by Charley Pride, "The Eyes Don't Lie", recorded by KoKo Taylor and "Hillbilly With A Heartache", a duet recorded by Tracy Lawrence and John Anderson. Fred James and Bill Hullett performed the masterful guitar parts on the entire album. This is Carpenter's first solo album in his career and was very passionate about the project every step of the way.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

contact: richardecarpenter@gmail.com