By Mary Ann Bourbeau
HOLMDEL – The Carlile Family Band is bringing a mix of Americana, country and folk music to the Holmdel Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20.
This small family band from a tiny, rural Washington town is made up of 17-year-old frontwoman Caroline Carlile on guitar, banjo and vocals and her 14-year-old brother, JayJ Carlile, who plays fiddle, mandolin, bass and guitar and writes songs about anxiety and the stresses of growing up. Their dad, Jay Carlile, sings harmonies and plays blues harp.
The family is currently touring across the country, from Washington to the Southwest and up the East Coast, living out of a motor home driven by Jay. While traveling, they write, record and produce original music covering everything from heartache and friendship to love and cowboys. They’ve released five original songs and plan an EP release in January.
Their mother Lia is the band’s manager; siblings Evelyn, 12, and Sam, 8, are along for the ride as well. All the kids attend online public schools through virtual classes. Everyone pitches in, even Grandma, who sometimes joins them on tour.
“She always reposts us on Facebook,” said Caroline. “Out of everyone, Grandma is the most proud!”
The family lives about a third of the year at their home in Washington, a third on the road and the rest of the time in Nashville when Jay is on tour with Wynonna Judd’s band.
The family’s music roots run deep. Jay and his sisters, Tiffany and Grammy Award-winner Brandi Carlile, were raised in a musical family. Their grandparents owned a dance hall and their mother performed in local bars and clubs with her country band.
“When we were old enough, mom included us on stage,” said Jay. “I wasn’t as enthusiastic about music as Brandi was, but when the kids started playing, I rediscovered my skills and my passion.”
Caroline and JayJ were young when their aunt Brandi first gave them some toy instruments.
“She would give them the loudest kid instruments as a joke just to annoy me,” said Jay. “A xylophone, ukulele, bongos. It was obnoxious, but they were happy. Eventually they started performing in talent shows and local bars. Before you knew it, we went from touring in the family car to a motorhome.”
Their first professional show was in 2019 at the Malo Grange in Republic, Washington. They later started playing local joints with an occasional sibling, aunt or cousin sitting in. After about two years, the kids got more gigs and they started to tour. Since then, they have had the opportunity to not only see the country but perform on the same stage with well-known musicians.
“We did a jam session with the First Ladies of Bluegrass in Telluride, Colorado,” Jay said about sharing the stage with the likes of Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle. “That was a turning point for us.”
In January, they’re set to perform at the Girls Just Wanna Weekend in Riviera Maya, Mexico, along with Brandi Carlile, Shania Twain, Maren Morris and many others.
“Brandi is incredibly proud of these guys,” said Jay. “She likes that they’re doing it the old-fashioned way, writing music and performing in bars and clubs instead of using the social media model.”
While it’s all very exciting, the kids are still kids, and therefore must keep up with their studies no matter how difficult it may be.
“It’s hard to balance school and due dates and all the hours we’re making music, especially when we’re traveling through so many time zones,” said Caroline. “The overall lack of structure makes it difficult.”
Jay has the added burden of being both a band member and a parent.
“Caroline and JayJ lead this operation, both musically and technically,” he said. “I sort of work for them. It’s a weird line between being a dad and a partner, providing discipline and enforcing bedtimes. It’s a challenge I never saw coming.”
But the family wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love the family aspect of this band,” said JayJ. “I don’t think I would love it as much if I wasn’t with my family and close together in a motor home.”
“What we do is really cool,” said Caroline. “We’re exposed to an array of people, places and personalities. We experience new things every time we’re on the road. It’s such a good education.”
The Carlile Family Band will be joined by Nashville artist Stella Prince, whose “Dear Future Me” EP was named one of the Best Albums of 2024 by No Depression magazine. Tickets are $25 at holmdeltheatrecompany.org.
The article originally appeared in the November 14 – 20, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
