Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-09-05
Nashville-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Carter Elliott has released “Ready to Live”, the third single in a series leading up to his forthcoming album.
A warm folk-Americana track built around tender guitar and Elliott’s thoughtful songwriting, “Ready to Live” gradually builds into a triumphant chorus centered on self-love, resilience and new beginnings. The song embodies Elliott’s personal philosophy of “always learning, never stopping” while exploring the highs, lows, setbacks and victories that come with discovering who you are and where you’re headed.
“I wrote ‘Ready to Live’ after recovering from one of the roughest weeks of my life,” Elliott says. “I was finally beginning to step into my own self again, cautiously yet optimistically, and this song captures that little glimpse of where I was in the moment and where I wanted—and needed—to be.
“It’s my recovery song. No matter how old you are or where you are in life, there is a time when you will have to recover from something. It’s a lot of work, and the progress is very nonlinear, like the ‘snakes and ladders’ in the first line, but it’s worth it. There’s always hope.”
“Ready to Live” is a reminder that moving forward is always possible. Elliott turns his own experience into a universal message for anyone who has had to rebuild, rediscover themselves or find the courage to take another step forward.
The single offers a glimpse into Elliott’s world, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He blends a variety of influences into a sound that crosses genre boundaries while remaining authentic to who he is.
With “Ready to Live,” Elliott makes one thing clear: the journey may be uncertain, but it’s only the beginning.
ABOUT CARTER ELLIOTT
Carter Elliott is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist whose music brings together the warmth of Americana and folk, the intimacy of singer-songwriter music, the texture of soft rock and the improvisational spirit of jazz.
A musician since the age of four, Elliott has spent his life exploring the space between composition and improvisation, developing a sound that feels both rooted in the past and distinctly his own.
Originally from Pearl, Mississippi, Elliott’s musical path took him from studying jazz piano performance at the University of North Texas to earning a degree in Commercial Songwriting from Middle Tennessee State University.
His early immersion in jazz—particularly the music of Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock and Ahmad Jamal—shaped his approach to improvisation, harmony and musical expression. At the same time, songwriters such as James Taylor and Randy Newman, along with progressive rock and contemporary singer-songwriter music, helped shape his approach to melody, storytelling and composition.
Rather than staying within a single genre, Elliott’s music moves freely between intimate acoustic songwriting, piano-driven compositions, progressive textures and jazz-influenced improvisation.
That versatility came to the forefront on his 2024 project, At Long Last … At the Piano (Improvisations and Compositions, Vol. 1), a collection built largely from spontaneous piano performances. Recorded in a single session on a Yamaha grand piano at MTSU, the project captures Elliott choosing instinct over perfection and allowing the music to unfold in real time.
Elliott is now entering a new chapter with his forthcoming album. The project brings together the diverse influences that have shaped him while placing a greater focus on his voice as a songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist.
True to its title, “Ready to Live” marks the start of a new phase for an artist still exploring just how far his music can go.
For more information, visit Carter Elliott online.
