Carey Ott

Artist / Songwriter

Carey Ott is one of the most prolific songwriters to ever hail from Chicago. He’s a triple threat as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, producer / engineer and performer who has been flooring audiences across the nation for the last 10 years.

“Recommended for audiences who are starved for something fresh yet uncannily comfortable and familiar. The kind of artist whose gifts are seen rarely in any given generation.” – Chicago Tribune

His song The Hard Way is the title track of Gary Allan’s new album set to follow up the chart-topping success of 2013’s “SET YOU FREE”.

Carey has had cuts with an eclectic collection of artists, including: The Silver Seas – multiple songs, The Greencards – multiple songs (and a 2014 Grammy nomination) Dualtone artist Rebecca Roubion, and Blue Elan Recording Artist Jack Tempchin (Peaceful Easy Feeling, Already Gone). Besides the songwriting chops Carey brings to the table, he is also an accomplished producer. His personal studio, Velvet Shoreline, has everything he needs to engineer and produce his own master recordings.

“We go down into his basement to write, and while we do he’s recording it and playing every instrument, and when we’re done it’s a master. That guy is going to be heard from a lot more. He’s a genius and a great music guy.” -Jack Tempchin

His songs have been heard on TV shows and in films like: Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Gates, Make It Or Break It, Kyle XY, Unnecessary Roughness, Brazil’s hit telenovela Malhação, The Killing Of John Lennon, 37 and in ads for Coors Light, JCPenney, Piraeus Bank and Burton Snowboards.

Since working with Dualtone / Cal IV (2005-2008), Carey’s been busy building his self-published catalog LONG STORY SHORT, while working with talented songwriters and producers including:

Jack Tempchin, Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman (Tim McGraw, Jason Aldeen, Jake Owen), Daniel Tashian, Rebecca Roubion, Iain Archer (Snow Patrol, Jake Bugg), Lincoln Parish (Cage The Elephant), Steve Albini (Pixies, Nirvana, Bush), Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Counting Crows, Modest Mouse), Ray Kennedy (Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Ray Davies) and Chris Gelbuda (Meghan Trainor, Sabrina Carpenter, Billy Currington).

“Carey Ott is a true talent and one of my favorite artists in Nashville. I learn something every time I hear him play. His songs really make me feel things I can’t get from other artists.” – Chris Gelbuda