Raspy-voiced singer/songwriter Kim Carnes was born on July 20, 1945 in Los Angeles, California. Kim wanted to become a successful singer and songwriter ever since she was three. Carnes began her music career in the 60s writing songs for other artists while performing at local clubs and working as a session vocalist. In 1966 Kim joined the folk group the New Christy Minstrels, but subsequently left to form the duo Kim and Dave with her husband David Ellingson. Carnes acted in the 1967 motion picture "C'mon, Let's Live a Little." She recorded her debut album "Rest on Me" in 1972. This was followed by a few more albums. Carnes scored her first hit song with "You're a Part of Me," a duet with Gene Cotton. Her duet with Kenny Rogers on "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" and a sensuous, stirring cover of "More Love" by the Miracles likewise did well. Kim enjoyed her most substantial smash with the fantastic and mesmerizing "Bette Davis Eyes," which peaked at number one on the Billboard charts for nine weeks. The song won Grammy Awards for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Moreover, Carnes sang the song live for Bette Davis at a tribute for the legendary actress. In 1985 Kim had the distinction of having singles in three different categories all simultaneously on the pop charts: solo . In addition, Carnes sings along with an all-star musical line-up on the song "We Are the World." Kim had her last top 20 hit with "Crazy in the Night." Her songs are featured on the soundtracks to several films which include the cult classic car chase action thriller "Vanishing Point," the blockbuster smash "Flashdance," "Spaceballs," "North Country," and "Heartbreak Hotel." She's the mother of sons Ry and Collin. In 1994 Kim Carnes moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she continues to perform live and has written songs for such popular country artists as Tanya Tucker, Sawyer Brown, Pam Tillis, Reba McIntire, and Deanna Carter.
Rock, folk, and country singer and songwriter.
After the song "Bette Davis Eyes" became a hit single, Bette Davis wrote letters to Kim and songwriters Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon and asked how did they know so much about her. One of the reasons Davis loved the Grammy-winning song is that her granddaughter heard it and thought her grandmother was "cool" for having a hit song written about her.
(May 2003) When not performing live, she resides in Nashville and writes songs for artists like Reba McEntire and Tanya Tucker.
I never had any other thought in my mind. I was gonna write songs, I was,gonna be a star and a singer and I never thought of doing anything,else.
