We had the good fortune of connecting with Carl Pariso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carl, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a musician, risk plays a huge part in the process of choosing and pursuing a career in music. I think the biggest risk in my life has been sacrificing stability. As a young performer, I lived a very transient life. Every few months I lived in a different part of the U.S or lived from hotel room to hotel room. As this was very exciting, I missed routine. I missed community. I missed consistent relationships. Financially, I never knew when or how long I’d be out of a job. However, without that risk, I wouldn’t have gotten to see the amount of the country as I did. I wouldn’t have met the incredible people I hold dear in my heart today. I wouldn’t have gotten to live out my dream of performing in front of incredible audiences. Any choice you make in your life has risk. At the end of the day, whatever risks you take, you have to be able to accept the sacrifice that comes with it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my professional career as a performer in Musical Theatre. After college, I moved to where the industry was in NYC. I auditioned every day, and took contracts outside the city for regional theatre work. I then booked a Broadway tour of Cabaret, and traveled the country for a year performing a lead role. Soon after the tour, the pandemic hit the world. The theatre industry, the industry I dedicated my professional life to, had suffered considerably. Auditions and performances had ceased completely. Instead of giving up my career in performance, I decided to pivot. I went back to my roots as a songwriter. I had majored in Music Composition at The University of Delaware, and decided to focus on the tools that degree had given me. I moved to Nashville and immediately through myself into the music community. I found a band, recorded an album, and created a new brand for myself. It wasn’t easy. It still isn’t easy. However, my career in musical theatre gives me a unique ability to tell a story both in my writing and my shows. My composition degree gives me the ability to arrange all my music and use classical and jazz theory and influence. Life is never going to be perfect and will never go the way you expect, but it can never take away your experiences. I’ve learned that being creative in my art is not enough. I’ve had to be creative in how to best use and merge my experiences together to maximize my brand and my career.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As I live in East Nashville, I’d primarily stay in the neighborhood I’ve grown to love so much. I’d take the to 5 Points, and take them to the charming neighborhood dive bars such as Nobles, Ernies, Lakeside Lounge, Low Bar, Red Door. I’d then take the to eat at the cozy Van Gogh’s Wine Bar. I’d then take them to see downtown and show them the extravagant Broadway street to listen to live music and watch the tourists fall over themselves. While downtown, I’d take them to The Listening Room to experience live original music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My father deserves a massive dedication and shoutout for the support and mentorship throughout my journey. As any good parent does, he showed up every time. When I was a kid showing interest in music, he showed up to every gig no matter how big or small that performance was. Being a trained opera singer, he gave me lessons on all his days off. He introduced me to music of all kinds. He always pushed me to grow, challenge myself, and instilled a strict work ethic in me I never would have had if he hadn’t showed up. Every single day.

Website: https://www.carlpariso.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlpariso/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560604067594

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlpariso

Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/03mIySfdVDYhgTr9h25X7G?si=FWmajnPgQhyUoXequopDjw

Image Credits
Chaz Mazzota, Dylan Reeves, Mike Jefferies

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.