Podcast: Carolann Solebello, opening for Phil Vassar at Morristown’s Community Theatre, talks about life after Red Molly

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Carolann Solebello, seen here at The Minstrel in March, is leaving Red Molly after six years in the popular trio. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Leaving a popular trio just as it’s taking off could be viewed as a bad career move.

But Carolann Solebello, who opens for country star Phil Vassar at Morristown’s Community Theatre on Thursday, says leaving Red Molly was the right move for the career she treasures most: Wife and mother.

carolann solebello
Carolann Solebello, seen here at The Minstrel in March, opens for country star Phil Vassar on Thursday at the Community Theatre. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

And her solo act seems to be progressing just fine, thank you. The 1,200-seat theater on South Street may be larger than any of the indoor venues she played with the sweet-singing Mollies, who became favorites at The Minstrel in Morris Township during their six years together.

Carolann sang her last Red Molly gig with Laurie MacAllister and Abbie Gardner in July before thousands at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, where the ladies started their roots act.

The trio’s success–with booking offers as far away as Alaska–was putting too many miles between Carolann and her Brooklyn-bound husband Mark and son Felix, who has just started preschool.

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Phil Vassar, whose country hits include 'In a Real Love' and 'Just Another Day in Paradise,' headlines Thursday at Morristown's Community Theatre. Carolann Solebello, formerly of Red Molly, is the opener. Tickets range from $32 to $55. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

So back around February she told her band mates she would be leaving Red Molly. She aimed to concentrate on her family, while sprinkling in some solo shows close to home.

“I have no regrets, which amazes me,” Carolann said. “Ten years ago . . . I would have gladly been on the road for long periods. Now, my family is so important, it was like no choice at all.”

She said it’s been a revelation to rediscover a weekend social life after so much touring with the Mollies.

Carolann recused herself from the search for her Red Molly successor. But she applauds the selection of Molly Venter by Laurie and Abbie.

“She’s a great person, we enjoy hanging with her, and we love her music,” Carolann said of the Austin-based musician.

Still, Carolann acknowledged it was hard keeping her emotions in check at Falcon Ridge.

“We’re business partners, we’re friends, we’re musical partners. It’s kind of like another marriage, in a sense. I was proud of that weekend… I thought we handled it very well. We were able to hide the inner turmoil from most people. There were a few moments backstage when it got very emotional for all of us. But we managed to keep it pretty private.”

Carolann said she was thrilled to be opening on Thursday for Phil Vassar, “a really fine songwriter” whose hits include “In a Real Love,” “Just Another Day in Paradise” and “Carlene.”  She plans to dip into her own country repertoire for her 20-minute set.

Establishing a solo voice after years of blending perfectly with the charismatic Mollies– and before that, singing with the pop-folk quartet CC Railroad–may take some time, she expects.

“I’m in the process of figuring out who I am onstage alone, again,” said Carolann, who has done two solo albums and is writing “rootsy material” for a new one.

She contemplates a sound “not quite as sweet as Red Molly” that combines blues, bluegrass, old country and rock elements. She also wants to ramp up Elizabeth Records, the label she launched nine years ago.

Things should sort themselves out; Carolann is a quick study. As an actress in dinner theater productions, she taught herself bass and mandolin to land a part in a musical. Before long, she preferred music to acting.

Now, she prefers family to music. Sounds like a perfect theme for some country hits.

VIDEO:

Unfinished business: Carolann’s farewell to Red Molly at Falcon Ridge

One more time: Red Molly rocks out at Falcon Ridge

Sounds of summer: Red Molly sings around the campfire (almost) at Falcon Ridge

red molly falcon ridge 2010
RED MOLLY 1.0 : Abbie Gardner, Laurie MacAllister and Carolann Solebello play their final gig together at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in July. Carolann left the trio for family reasons. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

1 COMMENT

  1. Hello

    Carolann sure will be missed!

    I’m sure she will put the 2 halves

    of her world together!

    The Red Molly half of 6 years and

    the family half!

    Best wishes
    HWT

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