Carolyn [Miles] Fuentes, a native Clevelander located in OH was raised in a family of musicians and singers. In 1968 at the age of 8, her father, Bennie Miles (i.e. rhythm guitarist, organist, pianist, soloist, minister, etc.) enrolled her and other family members in the Jimmy Landers Studio [O’Jays affiliate] to take guitar lessons. During this particular time, she had taken clarinet lessons at The Music Settlement as well. The lessons became of value when she participated in Gracemount Elementary School’s choir and orchestra, which led to landing a spot as a soloist in the 5th Grade talent show. Fuentes continued on with her music programs in orchestra, band, choir, and talent shows at Whitney M. Young Junior High [aka Whitney M. Young Gifted and Talented Leadership Academy] and John F. Kennedy High School. In high school, Fuentes was picked up by the stage band’s director, Ms. Clouden to participate in performing as a soloist at various schools during school hours. Other instruments she dabbled on were drums and piano, which led to forming a band with some of the stage band members [Spellbound, a popular R&B/Funk band] to rehearse in her basement. But dreams of performing in clubs with the band was cut short after her father’s dissatisfaction of her being the only female.
In 1978, Fuentes was accepted at Mount Union College [Alliance, OH], taking Music as a minor and Business Administration as a major. There kicked in her ear training and some theory classes. As time progressed, she returned to her hometown to enroll in more vocal classes at The Cleveland Institute of Music, which led her performance as a soloist and keyboardist with her father’s church; Jesus Christ Cathedral Pentecostal on the radio station; WSUM 1000 AM [aka WCCD 1000 AM now licensed to Parma]. She was also a member of Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She eventually became a member of the choir. Later, the church pianist James Scott, Sr., organist Brother Sims, and the choir director Carmen McKray noticed something special in her voice. Soon, she was redirected to become a soloist that eventually gained attention from young choir members of the church. Years later, a few young members and herself had gotten together to form a small singing group; “The Zioneers” that performed at their community churches.
In 1984, Fuentes joined the Musicians Union before she auditioned for other bands. Soon she landed as a soloist with some keyboarding spots in local bands such as; Morning Maniac [Cleve.], Seduction [E. Cleve.], West-side bands, and so many more. Some of her club scene performances were at Vells, The Agora, E. Cleveland Festivals, etc. Later, she cuts a record, “Take It To The Woof” with a seasoned and popular R&B/Funk band; Morning Maniac, which led to performing shows, radio airplay (e.g. WZAK FM, WJMO AM, etc.), and band promotions thru Ray Ruffin [aka cut record, Monkey Paw] at his music studio in downtown Cleveland. Fuentes says she loved hanging around studios; The Music Connection and Angel Studios with friends watching the process of productions with various bands that flew in her hometown. Several nights, she had a chance to sit in on sessions with Cleveland’s own “Dazz Band” at The Music Connection.
In 1985, Fuentes married her son’s father, a multi-instrumentalist Robert Smith. Eventually in 1987, their first child Aeric was born during the time of them building a home studio to relieve some pressure of recording in outside studios. Their first recording was “In My Arms” [US Copyright] with a saxophonist Tiger [in a popular local Jazz band] and David Wynne, a soloist. Soon, she and her husband, Robert began other recordings thru their family friend, Darryl Smith, who had a private studio [keyboardist from Jady Kurrent, a popular R&B band]. Nevertheless, Robert and Carolyn had established a small studio to produce other local band recordings as well. In 1992, their other son, Antoine was born into a lively musical home. But those days singled out and she left the music scene to work, return to college, and prioritize mainly on her sons.
In 1992, an ears, nose, and throat specialist had unfortunately discovered she had developed swollen lymph nodes. It was projected to hold off vocals until completion of surgery. Without question, her choice was non-surgery. Since then, Fuentes' research involved numerous materials and solutions to temporary aid the painful swelling. As a result, the swelling has decreased by so many centimeters.
In 1998, after her father passed, she married her second husband Danilo, [Latino], which had a major influence of Spanish music and Hip-Hop as a DJ on her youngest son Antoine. As years faded out into the single life, Fuentes started over in 2007 [BMI member] as manager and songwriter, recording Jazz (e.g. The Family, The Last Steps, etc.) with both of her sons. Fuentes’s son’s eventually singled out into an independent contract between Antoine and Turn On Records [major label, Eroica Classical Recordings] in 2008-2012. Of course, that’s when she noticed the strong influence of Rap and Hip-Hop in her son Antoine. Soon to follow, Antoine auditioned for Def Jam Records, “Who’s Got Next” in Cincinnati, OH. After the audition, she became more inspired and began managing some of his friends, which developed into a couple of crews; Get Money Boyz and Broken English. The crew became heavily inspired by her direction, which led to consistent recordings of re-mixes and originals. Later, some members of the crew branched off into independent labels -- Fuentes claims, “she is very proud!” Till date, Fuentes still remains her son Antoine Smith's (Audio Mgr. of AF Music Group, AFMG) manager with an added on a family member, De’ Miles [AL] (e.g. Spellbound Mgr, Brick City Productions, WEA A&R, etc.).
Influences: Chaka Khan, Karyn White, Phyllis Hyman, Vesta, Melissa Morgan, Joyce "Baby Jean" Kennedy, etc.
2014, Fuentes was propositioned by Silverback Records, LLC based out of Kansas City, Missouri (i.e. Rap, Hip-Hop, etc.) for a challenging opportunity for an Internship for several months and was promoted to an A&R Exec.
Currently, Fuentes is an A&R for Synchronicity PR, LLC, which is an affiliate thru 50/50 Global Muzik, Inc.
Other artists managed and/or consulted by Fuentes: Jaileo; singer/songwriter, Kariji Jones; Music Director/Producer, and Arranger. Esther Fitz; Singer/Songwriter, Bills Cardinal; Rapper/Songwriter, Lil Brand, etc. Fuentes's vocals: https://audioboo.fm/boos/2253665-vocal-blowout-warmup-of-c-fuentes Fuentes's song, "Say My Prayers" (BMI, Inc.): http://web.photodex.com/view/amgm4bm4 Fuentes and Family Project; "Project A" cd (BMI, Inc.): http://web.photodex.com/view/amgm4bm4
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