Ervin Allen Carpenter is a baby boomer born in 1949 and has lived the evolution of American music. From the early fifties until now he has listened to the songs that have influenced today's music. "I remember the first time I saw Elvis performing on TV in 1958, and the first time I saw the Beatle's perform on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. Both had an influence on me; Elvis for his performance skills and singing, and the Beatles for their lyrics and harmonies. I found myself analyzing music to find what made it excite the listener."

Raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Ervin also remembers the local talent like Bobby Rice and his sister. "I would never miss a show. They were country but I realize even back then that a lot of my favorite artists like Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers, were country folk singers when you think about it. During the early sixties Ervin started to listen to Roger Miller, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, and Hank Snow." Today some of his favorite folk artists are Sara Pace, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, and the Guthrie's. "It tickles me to here DJ's referring to the songs I grow up with as oldies! The fifties and sixties were a wild time for music and I feel privileged to have lived that experience."

Ervin began his music career in 1974 when he taught himself how to play the guitar and write songs. By 1976 he completed his first song, "You're In My Memory". In 1980 while at Fort Benning Georgia, he met Jody Powers a staff writer for the House of Cash. "Jody didn't realize how much influence he had on me. He taught me a great deal about songwriting." By 1981 Ervin along with a back-up band known as Stage Dust, had eight songs published and recorded. Between 1976 and 1980 he was in several bands and enjoyed being the front man. "My job was to play rhythm guitar and sing lead vocals. Everyone else I performed with was too shy and someone had to do it!"

In August of 1982 Erv was medically retired from the Army and found himself attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a second career in teaching Special Education. "After graduation, life and my new career seem to take over my entire existence but I never gave up on songwriting. Some of my best tunes were written during my college and teaching years." As of September 2004 he has retired from teaching and has once again picked up where he left off with songwriting and performing. "I owe this move to my loving wife Kim and good friend Sara Pace!"

Erv is excited and looking forward to recording, performing and writing once again.

ERVIN ALLEN: Moon & Stars The "Moon and Stars" CD has a wide range of Ervin Allen's songwriting and performing abilities. You will hear country, rock, folk, and Americana. His unique rhythms and uses of different instruments make this the best CD to listen to.