Ralph Wesley Carr & Old Town Tribune

Originally from Marietta, Ohio, Wes moved to the Chicagoland at the age of five. He quickly fell in love with the jazz and classical influences he was exposed to in Northern Illinois but never let go of the Southern gospel and bluegrass styles of music he hears as a child.

​He was drawn to music since before he can remember and some of his earliest memories are of him carrying around an old broken guitar his mother had lying around. Eventually, this led to Wes to studying classical guitar at NIU. Although he loves classical music, he missed playing the songs he loved as a child.

​Luckily, he discovered ETSU which offered a degree in bluegrass, country, and old-time music. While there, he was able t study with 5 time Grammy winner, Adam Steffey while refining his skills as a songwriter and composer.

Since graduation, Wes has received many accolades for his technique, creative approach, and unique songwriting. His most notable aware came in 2019 when he won the International Mandolin Championships held in Winfield, Ks.

​Wes has appeared on WKPT in Bristol Tn, as well as Sessions from Studio A ( WNIJ), The Mountain Matinee Radio Program, and been a featured artist in the Chicago Collab Sessions.

He has performed in many notable venues including the Paramount Center for the Arts (Bristol, Tn), the Birthplace of Country Music Museum (Bristol, Tn), Niswonger Performing Arts Center (Greeneville, Tn), The Sandwich Opera House (Sandwich, Il), Navy Pier (Chicago, Il) as well as many others.