History of Brandi Carlile in Timeline

Brandi Carlile is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and producer known for her diverse musical style that encompasses folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and classic rock. Her successful career has garnered her eleven Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. She has also received an Academy Award nomination. Carlile is recognized for her powerful vocals, songwriting prowess, and contributions to the music industry.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1969: Joni Mitchell's previous Newport Folk Festival appearance

In 1969, Joni Mitchell appeared at the Newport Folk Festival.

1994: Previous instances of multiple Song of the Year nominations

In 1994, a songwriter or songwriting team was last nominated for Song of the Year twice in the same year, preceding Carlile's achievement in 2022.

November 2002: Carlile identifies as lesbian

In a November 2002 interview, Brandi Carlile publicly identified herself as a lesbian, expressing that she didn't need formality around it due to those who came before her.

2007: Release of The Story

In 2007, Brandi Carlile released her album "The Story".

2008: Establishment of Looking Out Foundation

In 2008, Brandi Carlile, along with Tim and Phil Hanseroth, established the Looking Out Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at providing financial support and raising awareness for various causes.

2009: Meeting Catherine Shepherd

In 2009, Brandi Carlile met Catherine Shepherd, who later became her wife. Catherine had previously worked as Paul McCartney's charity coordinator.

2010: Seattle's City of Music Breakthrough Award

In 2010, Brandi Carlile won Seattle's City of Music Breakthrough Award.

June 2012: Engagement Announcement to Catherine Shepherd

In June 2012, Brandi Carlile announced her engagement to Catherine Shepherd.

September 15, 2012: Marriage to Catherine Shepherd

On September 15, 2012, Brandi Carlile married Catherine Shepherd in Wareham, Massachusetts.

2012: Catherine Shepherd becomes Executive Director of Looking Out Foundation

Since 2012, Brandi Carlile's wife, Catherine Shepherd, has served as the Executive Director of the Looking Out Foundation, overseeing nearly $6 million in donations to grassroots causes.

May 2017: Release of "Cover Stories" Benefit Album

In May 2017, Brandi Carlile released "Cover Stories", a benefit album featuring songs from her 2007 album, "The Story". The album was released to benefit War Child UK, raising $1 million to help children impacted by the world's refugee crisis.

July 2018: Announcement of "Girls Just Wanna Weekend" Music Festival

In July 2018, Brandi Carlile announced the creation of her own music festival called "Girls Just Wanna Weekend", which was inspired by her participation in the Cayamo Cruise festival.

October 2018: Collaboration with Sam Smith on "Party of One"

In October 2018, Brandi Carlile collaborated with Sam Smith to reimagine her single "Party of One" as a duet, with proceeds benefiting the ongoing Story Campaign.

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February 3, 2019: "Girls Just Wanna Weekend" Concluded

On February 3, 2019, Brandi Carlile's music festival, "Girls Just Wanna Weekend," fronted by all-female musicians in Puerto Aventuras on the Riviera Maya in Mexico, came to a conclusion.

October 2020: Collaboration with Alicia Keys on "A Beautiful Noise"

In October 2020, Brandi Carlile and Alicia Keys urged people to vote with their song "A Beautiful Noise", performed on 'Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy' which aired on CBS on October 29.

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October 1, 2021: Release of "In These Silent Days" album

On October 1, 2021, Brandi Carlile released her seventh album, "In These Silent Days". The album achieved significant success, debuting at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and topping both the Top Rock Albums and Americana/Folk Albums charts.

October 23, 2021: Musical Guest on Saturday Night Live

On October 23, 2021, Brandi Carlile appeared as the musical guest on NBC's "Saturday Night Live", where she performed her songs "Right on Time" and "Broken Horses".

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December 10, 2022: SNL Performance with Lucius

On December 10, 2022, Brandi Carlile made another appearance on "Saturday Night Live" as a musical guest, performing "The Story" and "You and Me on the Rock" alongside Lucius.

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2022: Headlining Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

In 2022, Brandi Carlile headlined the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, which was held in Franklin, Tennessee.

2022: Grammy Award Nominations for "Right on Time"

In 2022, Brandi Carlile received three Grammy Award nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, for her single "Right on Time".

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2022: Two Grammy nominations for Song of the Year

In 2022, Carlile became the first female songwriter to receive two Grammy nominations for Song of the Year in the same year.

2022: Performance with Joni Mitchell at Newport Folk Festival

In 2022, Joni Mitchell joined Brandi Carlile and her associates as a surprise closing act at the Newport Folk Festival, billed as "Brandi Carlile and Friends." This marked Mitchell's first full-length performance since the early 2000s.

January 2023: Headlining Inauguration Party for Governor Maura Healey

In January 2023, Brandi Carlile headlined the inauguration party for Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

February 2023: Looking Out Foundation Raises Funds for Earthquake Relief

In February 2023, the Looking Out Foundation successfully raised $300,000 within seven days to support relief efforts for the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake.

2023: Recognition as Women Changing the World

In 2023, Brandi Carlile and her wife Catherine were honored among People's 2023 Women Changing the World for their work with the Looking Out Foundation.

2023: Collaboration with Tanya Tucker on "Sweet Western Sound"

In 2023, Brandi Carlile collaborated with Tanya Tucker to produce, write, and sing on Tucker's album, "Sweet Western Sound," which included a duet titled "Breakfast in Birmingham."

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2023: Grammy Awards for "In These Silent Days" and "Broken Horses"

In 2023, Brandi Carlile's album "In These Silent Days" and her single "Broken Horses" earned Grammy Awards, including Best Americana Album and Best Rock Song.

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