Rick Carter has opened his life to readers in his new book, “Fables and Stories: Tales From an Alabama Troubadour.”

Carter started Telluride Band and Rollin’ in the Hay. (contributed)

Recounting his lengthy musical career, Carter reminds readers to enjoy the small and insignificant wonders the world has to offer as well as major accomplishments.

The prolific songwriter, performer, band leader and entrepreneur has been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. As a founding band member of Telluride and Rollin’ in the Hay, he has performed on stage across the country with Gregg Allman, Jimmy Buffett, The B-52’s, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hall, Marcus King, Nicky Hopkins, Jason Isbell, The Marshall Tucker Band, Widespread Panic, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top and a varied array of other popular artists.

Carter’s book includes song lyrics, poems and unforgettable tales of his decades on tour. He tells how he found a lifelong love of the Allman Brothers in Troy 52 years ago. Carter recounts hitchhiking to the Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival in 1972. There’s a memorable meeting with James Brown in 1977. Carter writes about playing with blues legend Johnny Shines and the time he sipped a few beers with Tom Jones.

In 1977, Carter started Telluride in Birmingham. It became one of the most popular bands to come out of Alabama. Performing more than 300 shows a year, Telluride’s members honed their craft as they turned into a regional favorite.

Carter has been playing music professionally for more than 50 years. (contributed)

“Twenty years later, the brutal hours of work during their early years opened the door to Rollin’ In The Hay, a forerunner of the ‘new Grass’ revolution in America,” Carter writes in the book that will be released Feb. 22. “The new style of music was referred to as high-octane grooves grass with a touch of down-home foot stompin’ Southern rock – or more simply as Renegade Bluegrass.”

Votes by fans of Rollin’ In The Hay beat out other band totals for an opportunity to play at the 2012 Bonnaroo Festival. The band’s performance at the show was such a success, it led to a wider audience, more concerts and live and studio albums.

Carter credits his successful career to his parents. As mentioned throughout the book, their parenting style, advice and opinions made him the man he is today.

“My mother was magic,” he said. “She could shuffle a menu, play a piano, negotiate a foreign country and make the family feel safe. My father never had an unkind word for his fellow man. The respect I have for my dad can’t be measured. I will forever miss my parents.”

Carter’s mother, Barbara Ann, was a great pianist. She taught him to play at the tender age of 3, with the support of his father, Master Sgt. “Hawkins” Brice Carter. By age 7, Rick had learned to play guitar and his dream of being a musician was firmly planted. By 12, he was playing music professionally.

Carter traveled the world most of his early life with his family stationed on military bases. He traveled from Japan to the Philippines and across the U.S., seeing sights many can people only dream about.

Carter is known for his performance at the 2012 Bonnaroo Festival. (contributed)

“My father served in the United States Air Force, and along the way, I began collecting hundreds of stories and memories from every place and everyone I would meet,” he said.

In his book, Carter shares fond memories about his family, friends, band members, well-known entertainers and unforgettable moments from his extraordinary life.

“Some of the stories in the book are entertaining and thought-provoking,” he said. “What is even more funny is that I have hundreds of other stories I would like to share with my fans. Who knows, I might just share in another book at a later time.”

Carter lives in Birmingham with his wife, Veronica.

The Birmingham Music Association awarded Carter the BAMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. He is listed as a three-time “Music Achiever” in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame for his roles in Telluride and Rollin’ In The Hay.

Carter’s other bands include Frankie Velvet and the Veltones, and L.O.L.A. (Rick Carter & The League of Legendary Artists).

He is known for “Miracle Ticket” from the album entitled “Rollin’ In The Hay,“ “Loveland” from the album “Loveland” and “Stand Alone” from the album  “Telluride.” Stream or download music at rickcartermusic.com.

“Fables and Stories: Tales From an Alabama Troubadour” will debut Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The book is available to pre-order from amazon.com in paperback or e-book. It can be ordered from any bookstore. Contact Carter for autographed copies. Click on this link for upcoming tour dates. Event details are updated as soon as the information is available.

Visit the website to learn more Rick Carter or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

[Related article: COVID-19 not stopping Alabama Music Maker Rick Carter]