Susan’s Simple Fried Chicken
Deceptively simple, Susan Harwood's fried chicken wins every time.
On Broadway - Carrie Welling & Fried Chicken
On Broadway is a bi-monthly web series that delves into the food memories of the talented musicians of Broadway in downtown Nashville. Every other week, we’ll pair those memories with a relevant recipe and information on how to listen to each musician’s material. Our aim is to connect the passion of food to the passion of music—two mediums that evoke instant reactions and memories, and remind us of the incredible people that pour their heart out every day to make their living in our backyard.
As detailed in her extremely personal new single, “Good To Me,” Carrie Welling is finally following her heart.
Although, it appears she’s been doing just that in different ways throughout her entire life. Carrie started singing at the age of 5, claiming that her musician father “gave [her] the bug.” Since her dad was in the military, Carrie moved around a lot, all the while constantly writing with her dad as well as singing in talent shows and choir. Perhaps all this moving has fueled her love for traveling and bringing her music to people. “I’m always ready to get on the road. I actually like it. . . .Some people hate it. I really love it.”
Carrie spent a lot of her childhood in Germany, but eventually moved to the states, where she lived with her mom in West Virginia and traveled to Maryland every summer to visit her dad. It was during these trips that she had the unique opportunity to record a new record each year in his studio and feed her passion for music even more. During the year, Carrie says, “I did a lot of after school activities. And when I’d come home my mom would have dinner ready for us; me, my brother, and my sister Angelina. . . .My favorite thing to come home to was her cornflake fried chicken. It would smell up the whole house and I’d know immediately [what was for dinner] when I opened the door.” Her mom would dip chicken in a smart combination of egg yolk, flour, breadcrumbs, and cornflakes, then fry it and serve it up with a fresh salad. No doubt fuel for her many ambitions.
It was a trip New York City that officially sealed the deal for those ambitions. Carrie auditioned for a conservatory there and set out to make her life as a musician at the tender age of 18. After school, she got a job on a cruise ship, but decided to take a leap of faith instead. That leap was a craigslist ad for a singer in a three-piece harmony band. Through the ups and downs, band member changes, and musical and commercial success, Carrie could feel that something wasn’t right and the group disbanded. “That turned my life upside down.” So, at 29 she packed up and headed out to San Diego for the fresh start that would ultimately birth her solo career. “I wanted to do something that was not as surface. . . .[I wanted to] go deeper.” Carrie spend a lot of time re-discovering herself and what she wanted her music to be. Four years ago, she made the move to The Music City, and is currently working on her new album. Miss Welling has graced many stages in Nashville, including The Hyatt Place, The 5 Spot, and Acme Feed and Seed on Broadway. She also plays in a 70s/80s cover band called Yacht Rock. “I think that grind that I went through in New York and California and Nashville really shaped who I am now. . . .And now is the time. [I have] these super vulnerable songs that I’ve never really written before. . . . [and] I feel free.”
Talking to Carrie, she lets you in on a reserved vulnerability in everything she says. You know how with certain people, when you talk to them, it’s abundantly clear what they should be doing in their life and who they are? Carrie is one of those people. She has a welcoming light about her that comforts you like a warm beverage on a cold day. Her authentic heart bleeds out in her speech and mannerisms––a fact that reminds you she is right where she is supposed to be; chasing this musical dream.
As for other dreams, her mom’s fried chicken would easily dance among them. The big question is, what’s her favorite fried chicken place in Nashville? “Prince’s for sure. I think it’s more of the experience; the culture. It’s the ma & pa.” After all, the best way to experience the culture of a place is through the food and the music. You can experience some delicious and simple fried chicken at home with this recipe, and you can experience Carrie’s music at Carriewelling.com, or by visiting her Instagram @carriewellingmusic. For consistent updates on shows and music, be good to her and support Carrie on her Patreon page.
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