NowVIZ: You were a 3-sport athlete at Kelso High School in Washington where you quarterbacked your football team to state and set different records in baseball and basketball. You then went on to play college baseball at the University of Portland and received All-Conference honors as a first baseman. That’s impressive! Can you tell us about you as an athlete?! Cort: When people found out I was now singing, they were so confused. Everyone knew me as the 3-sport athlete back home. Sports were my life. My parents were legendary teachers and coaches at our high school. I excelled in all three sports and had many highlights, but one thing I often dream about is our 2004 football State championship run and the team I was on. It was special for the entire community, and one for the record books. It was truly a special experience being the quarterback, my dad a long time assistant coach, my mom coaching the school’s powerhouse cheerleading program, and my older brother Rhett playing major college football at the time. It was like a damn movie script, and I was able to live it and enjoy the hell out of it. Some say “That’s way too much” or “That takes up so much time, sounds exhausting,” but for us, that was the life we loved. We absolutely cherished every moment of it. However, I was able to do some amazing things as a college baseball player too. I played for the Lower Columbia College Red Devils and set the single season wood bat home run record (10), and then went on to play Division 1 ball at the University of Portland and earned All-Conference accolades there. The life I have lived as an athlete, and now musician, is one that only the people closest to me would ever be able to comprehend. One day I hope to write a book about everything I’ve done and the magic that was involved with it all, because most wouldn’t believe it. I’m a lucky, lucky guy. NowVIZ: You have a foundation called Cort Carpenter Cares, which launched in 2015. This organization assists homeless animals and people. This is amazing. Tell us more about it. Cort: I founded this small organization because I felt I could make a difference.. I’m a very soft-hearted guy who cares about the well-being of all. Humans, animals, it doesn’t matter. My family raised me that way. They taught me to care about everyone, everything. Not just things that benefit myself or my pocketbook. That has stuck with me, and I’m proud of that. Nobody is better than the next person. My organization has raised money for animal shelters across the country, as well as helped the human homeless population in Nashville. I feel that we all go through tough times in life, and everyone could use a hand sometimes. That’s what it’s all about. You never know when you may be down on your luck and need a hand. My organization hopes to do even more in the years to come to help animals in need and people down on their luck. Donations can always be made to my foundation which will go directly to helping the next person.
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