Valerie Carter

Valerie Gail Zakian Carter (February 5, 1953 – March 4, 2017) was an American singer.

Her first solo album, Just a Stone's Throw Away, featured an array of guest artists, including Maurice White, Lowell George, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Deniece Williams. The album was well received and garnered favorable reviews and placed her as the opening act for the Eagles in Europe. Two years later, she released another album Wild Child, and began touring with various artists, primarily James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt.

Carter then released another solo album, The Way It Is, with guest artists including Phoebe Snow, Lyle Lovett, Edwin McCain, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and Jackson Browne. Japan released a limited edition of this CD with an additional song by Tom Snow.

She followed two years later with EPs Find a River, Vanilla Grits, and a compilation CD Midnight Over Honey River.

Other work Carter worked as a backup vocalist for a number of recording artists. These included Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Christopher Cross, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, Outlaws, and James Taylor.

In 1978, she performed the singing voice of the character Jan Mouse in the animated Halloween special, The Devil and Daniel Mouse, made by Canada-based studio Nelvana. She was credited under the pseudonym Laurel Runn, likely inspired by living in Laurel Canyon at the time. She sang several songs in the special, including a duet with singer John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful fame.

Personal life and death In the December 11, 1999, issue of Billboard, the marriage of Carter to Seth Katz, a television executive with Sony, was reported to have taken place on November 26, 1999, in Montclair, New Jersey.

In August and October 2009, Carter was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, for possession of drugs. She completed all of the court's requirements on May 25, 2011.

Legacy The song "Valerie", recorded by Steve Winwood, was reportedly about her as was Jackson Browne's song "That Girl Could Sing". It was released on Cowboy Angel Records, an indie label formed by Kurasch and Valerie's sister, Jan Carter. In 2022 they released The Lost Tapes Vol. 2.

In 2024, the Valerie Carter estate and Faragher Brothers joined forces and recreated the Faragher Brothers' "Never Get Your Love Behind Me" and "What My Baby Needs Now" by James Brown as a special edition 7-inch vinyl; Carter's vocals from previous recordings dating back to the late 1970s were used in both of these tracks.

Discography Collaboration albums Howdy Moon (1974)

Studio albums Just a Stone's Throw Away (1977) Wild Child (1978) The Way It Is (1996; reissued 2006) Find a River (1998; EP) Midnight Over Honey River (2003) The Lost Tapes (2018) Valerie Carter with Yoshiyuki Sahashi – Live in Tokyo, 1994 (2020) The Lost Tapes Vol. 2 (2022) Dan Fogelberg – Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg (1997) Diana Ross: Force Behind the Power (1991) When You Dream (1993) Don Grusin – 10k-La (1980) Don Henley: The End of the Innocence (1989) Inside Job (2000) Eddie Money – Playing for Keeps (1980) Eric Carmen – Change of Heart (1978) Freebo – End of the Beginning (1999) Glenda Griffith – Glenda Griffith (1977) Glenn Frey – Strange Weather (1992) Greg Prestopino – Big Red Nude (1977) Henry Paul Band – Henry Paul (1982) Hirth Martinez – Feeling So Fine (2002) Hoyt Axton – Southbound (1975) Hurt (band) – Vol. II (2007) Jack Wagner – Lighting Up the Night (1985) Jackson Browne: I'm Alive (1993) Looking East (1996) James Taylor: Gorilla (1975) In the Pocket (1976) New Moon Shine (1991) Live (1993) Best Live (1994) Hourglass (1997) Greatest Hits Volume 2 (2000) Jimmy Buffett – Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night Menu (1993) Jimmy Webb: Angel Heart (1982) Suspending Disbelief (1993) Jorge Calderón – City Music (1975) Jude Johnstone – Coming of Age (2002) "It Is One" – Jackson Browne (Looking East, 1996) "Nino" – Jackson Browne (Looking East, 1996)