Home         Biography          Guestbook         Music         Sponsors         Schedule        Contact
             



Carl Bentley II was raised in McDowell , Kentucky , a small town in Eastern Kentucky .  Thisarea is known for its contribution to bluegrass and country music with names like Keith Whitley, Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless and many more.   Hel began singing in church at age 5 and learned the guitar at age 16.  It was evident in his late teens that the youngster had a promising career in music.  While in high school, he played in a group entitled “The Raider Express”, which was a stage band for South Floyd High School .  The name of the group comes from the school mascot, “South Floyd Raiders”.  In January 1995, with Carl on lead vocals and guitar, the group recorded the song “Coal Mining Blues”, a song written by Carl.  The song won second place in a local songwriting competition and earned Carl his first newspaper appearance in The Floyd County Times, the local newspaper.   Enthused by his talent, South Floyd High School Band director Dennis Bartley presented him with the Stephen Mollett music scholarship at his graduation ceremony in May, 1995.  In July, 1995, he became a member of the Mountain Jamboree, a local country and bluegrass talent show in Pikeville, Kentucky . On March 3 1996, Carl was nearly killed in a car accident while driving to work.  He fell asleep at the wheel striking a tree in his pickup truck.  His face slammed into the steering wheel crushing all the bones in his face and breaking both ankles.  He was flown by helicopter from the local hospital in McDowell, Kentucky to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.  The future of Carl’s music career was uncertain as he spent the next year in and out of the hospital recovering.  Through many prayers and the grace of god, Carl was able to make a full recovery.   Soon after he enrolled in college and returned to the stage.  While in college, Carl played in several different country and bluegrass bands most noted for being the lead singer in a group entitled “The Blue Eagle Band”.  After college, Carl relocated to the Indianapolis, Indiana area seeking employment.  In his free time he would catch all the local bluegrass jam sessions and set in with various bands in night clubs around Indianapolis.   Inspired by his singing and songwriting talent, a local bluegrass group entitled “The Indiana Boys” invited him to join the group in February 2005.  Carl would be the lead vocalist and guitar player.  He played with the group until March 2006 when he left to form his own bluegrass group "The Eagle Creek Band".  Most recently Carl is making the transition back to country music and will be playing country shows as well as bluegrass events.  On June 20, 2008, Carl won the Colgate Country Showdown competition in Batesville, Indiana.    More to come.........



Stats:
Hometown: McDowell, Kentucky
High School: South Floyd High School
College: Eastern Kentucky University 
Degree: BBA (Computer Information Systems)
Married: Yes   
Wife: Kristi Bentley
Children: 2 boys - Dakota Ryan Bentley, Carl Mason Bentley;
                                     2 step daughters - Megan Renae Burris, Morgan ElaineBurris
Hobbies: Fishing, Watching TV
Favorite TV Show: Andy Griffith Show
Favorite Singer: Keith Whitley
Favorite Song: Don't Close Your Eyes