Written by Alaina Wolf // Photo by Macy Cox
Silas Carpenter has created a name of his own at Harding University and within the surrounding community of Searcy, Arkansas. The 17-year-old local musician opened for country artist Mason Ramsey in the Anthony & Wright Administration Auditorium Jan. 23.
Taking the stage was not a large task for Carpenter as this was not his first time performing on Harding University’s campus. Carpenter said he reached out to the assistant dean of Campus Life and Chapel Programs, Logan Light, upon hearing of the ticketed event, as Carpenter had experience performing for local events in the past, such as Get Down Downtown in the fall.
One Harding University student and close friend to Silas Carpenter has been able to witness Carpenter’s journey and growth as a musician. Junior Eli Roberts said he would not have missed Carpenter’s concert for the world.
“I consider him to be one of my closest friends, and I am really proud he is getting to do things like this,” Roberts said. “He’s becoming the real deal, and I can’t wait to see what he does with his music and in life.”
Many students alongside Roberts were able to receive a special student discount, encouraging the already ecstatic student body about the concert kicking off the spring semester.
Opening up for big-name artists was not unknown territory for Carpenter as his first live performance was opening up for psych-pop artist Nordista Freeze.
“Silas and I performed together a couple years back, and I now had the privilege of watching him own the stage before Mason Ramsey,” Freeze said. “Silas continues to grow as a songwriter and performer.”
Freeze said he drove to Harding’s campus from Nashville, Tennessee, the day of the concert for this event.
“It’s important to lift up the artists around us, and I was happy to see Harding offering that opening slot to a member of their community,” Freeze said.
Carpenter’s talent is evident to all, including fellow artists, who have the opportunity to support and encourage him. He was only one year into learning how to play guitar and drums before opening up for Nordista Freeze in 2021. Carpenter has two big artists he’s been able to perform with now, but there is another big name he said comes to mind in regard to his musical journey.
“I’ve also opened up for my uncle, Isaac Alexander,” Carpenter said. “He’s really incredible and has always been an inspiration for me musically … Since then, I have been recording albums in my room with myself on all of the instruments.”
