CHIPPER CARVER – SLE OPEN MIC WINNER FOR MAR 2026 – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC), REPORTING

One of the many ways that SecondLife Enquirer contributes to the vibrant life on the Grid is to identify up-and-coming musicians through the monthly SL Enquirer Singer Songwriter Open Mic competitions. Up and coming, as well as established musicians across the grid compete for a L$5,000 prize, along with the promotional value of being featured in the SL Enquirer, with our QUARTER MILLION views each month!  This month’s winner, Chipper Carver, managed to impress our judges and walked away with the top prize.  I was able to catch up with Chipper, who is naturally shy by nature, and managed to get him to answer a few questions for our SLE Readers.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):     So tell us, Chipper… How long have you been performing your music, and in what types of venues?

Chipper Carver (CC):     I have played guitar and sung for many years, but the vast majority of that was just for myself and occasionally for family. I had a two-person garage band back in high school.  We had cheap equipment and a handful of Beatles tunes we tried.  Then I got on with living life and only picked up the guitar now and then.  Fifteen years ago, or so, I started playing a lot more, but still for my own enjoyment and sometimes with a group of friends in a circle.  Around five years ago, I started joining open mics here in Second Life and muscled my way through audience anxiety and lots of mistakes.  Eventually, I must have gotten a little better because venues started offering me gigs.  I have played gigs at various venues like The Merry Prankster, Cafe Kismet, Blarney Stone, Pirette's Music Cove, Guthrie's Folk Club.  I've also enjoyed playing for protest rallies because music has an important place in the fight for democracy.

JB:     What is your favorite Musical Genre?

CC:     I have very eclectic musical tastes including Folk (Don't Think Twice, Circles, Can't Help Wondering Where I'm Bound), Pop (American Pie, Dream a Little Dream of Me, Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues, The Boxer) , Rock {Sister Golden Hair, Take it Easy, I've Just Seen a Face),  Country (Gentle on My Mind, Me and Bobbie McGee, King of the Road).   People might not agree with my classification there. I just care more about it being a good song than what genre it's in.   

I was also a teen and young adult in the 70's, so I love music from the 60's and 70's. 

JB:     Do you perform in RL as well?

CC:     I've played in some guitar circles and open mics.  I am a poster child for introversion so promoting myself isn't at the top of my list. 

JB:     What has been the most memorable performance of your career so far?

CC:     I performed at an open mic in a brewery in McKinney Texas.  I was playing the Bob Dylan classic, “You Ain’t Going Nowhere”.  A fellow performer jumped up and joined in the chorus, but he didn't know the song that well and it went horribly and we botched the whole thing!  I was relieved we were in a brewery.

JB:     Who were your musical idols and those who have been the greatest influencers of your musical style?

CC:     Oh, the list is long, and I won't include them all here, but probably in order:  Glen Campbell's musicality on guitar and with his voice made him an extraordinary crossover talent.  John Denver's writing and performance spanned ballads, social issues, down home fun. The Beatles - What can you say?  Nothing about them I didn't like.  Eagles and America were so emblematic of youth in the 1970's.   Gordon Lightfoot was among the best singer-songwriters ever and was so revered in his native Canada (John Prine called him his hero), Pete Seeger, in addition to his encyclopedic knowledge of world folk music, was a great and courageous American. And John Prine...well if you don't know him, go find his music.  If you don't admire his humor and awareness, I'm not sure what to say...  But there were many more.

JB:     What has been your biggest challenge breaking into the Music Industry?

CC:     When my family was living in Germany in the 1960's, my sister saved up some money and we walked to a German department store where she had her eye on a guitar.  She bought the guitar and it was her pride and joy. When I wanted to borrow it to learn how to play, she didn't hesitate.  I bought a book of Beatles songs with a chord chart in the back and slogged through teaching myself how to play.  I never took lessons, which was a huge mistake (if you're learning, take lessons).  From there, I had a series of progressively better guitars.  But I am not an attention seeker (this interview is awkward).  So most of my playing has been for my own private enjoyment.  It wasn't until Second Life that a friend coaxed me into playing in an open mic.  It wasn't a disaster, so I kept at it, and now it feels pretty comfortable.  As for breaking into the music industry, I'm not sure I've actually done that.

JB:     How would you describe the brand that you now represent?

CC:     The perfect combination of song variety and mistakes.  I also dabble in songwriting.  My favorite original is “I've Got a Fabulous Watchdog” which can be heard on Sound Cloud.   I have a wonderful dog named Maple, and I noticed one day that she almost always sits and watches me play and sing.   The song just popped into my head and I had it written in under an hour.  If they were always so easy!

JB:     Where would our SL readers go who want to hear you live and in concert?

CC:     Currently, I am performing at  Pirette's Music Cove every other Saturday and The Blarney Stone every other Thursday.  I am also listed in the SL Live Music schedule, so you can find me there. Come check it out.

JB:     Do you have any Social Media Sites out there where readers can learn more about you?

CC:     I don't.  Humanity isn't ready for social media, and it's eating our lunch. But I would love for you to join my group.  Just give me a shout and I'll add you.

JB:     Chipper, there are lots of budding musicians in SecondLife.  What advice would you give to any aspiring musicians out there today?

CC:     Find open mics to play and don't be afraid to ask for help.  The streaming mechanics can be daunting at first, but it's really not so hard.  Don't be afraid to perform. There are people performing at all skill levels doing it.

So there you have it, folks.  Nobody has said it better. You really do need to catch this guy’s act.  He really is quite amazing. Go check him out at Pirette's Music Cove, or at The Blarney Stone.  You’ll be glad ya did.

And when you do, tell ‘em “Josh sent ya”

Be there!  Aloha!

JB