Duane Carr

Duane Carr is notable for the songs he wrote which you will hear on this website.  As these specific songs and corresponding music were not greatly circulated, we will be presenting some of them here over time.

There are many things to say about Duane. He and his wife, Pat Carr shared a lifelong intellectual and admirable partnership. (You can read more about her under the link for Tributes and also her story under Unsung heroes/Authors.)  They lived together on a 36-acre farm in Elkins, Arkansas when they retired from academic appointments at various institutions across the South (including Rice, Tulane, the University of New Orleans, and the University of Tulsa). Upon retirement, Duane started to teach himself how to play the piano.  He also wrote songs and music that were mostly played on his guitar. He was involved in the literary world; writing and publishing his own fiction, including the novel The Bough of Summer which was published and was featured as “a writing style  suggesting his “interest in social relationships and class issues.”

Although Duane was described as a relatively quiet and non-commercial person, it is hoped that the songs you will hear on this website will say much about Duane’s personality and beliefs. We also have a book of his entitled El Paso Sonnets which  appears to have had limited circulation. (At the end of this book there is a list of approximately 15 literary journals where sonnets were reviewed and presented.)  We will try to add a sonnet with each upcoming issue as well.  We welcome your comments and thoughts.  They will be sent to Duane who now lives in Arkansas. Please send your comments to me at coraschwartz@gmail.com. I will certainly confirm receipt of your email and then forward it to Duane via regular mail.