Arts & Entertainment
Near-Death Accident Doesn't Deter Carole Urban
The Milford musician is performing again after a 2010 motorcycle accident.
Under a sign that read “Home Grown Tomatoes,” home-grown musician Carole Urban performed Wednesday at the Woodmont Farmer’s Market held at Robert Treat Farm in Milford.
This was one of her first live, solo performances since a devastating motorcycle accident in October of 2010 nearly took her life -- and might have destroyed the musical career of someone less determined than Urban.
“I was told I took my motorcycle out for a ride and drove on River Road in Stratford … a car made an illegal U-turn and I could not stop. Brakes locked up the tires, I flew over the handle bars at about 40 mph, and landed on my head. The cops [on the scene] reported me as a fatality. Docs told my family I was not likely to live. I was in a coma, titanium face, wired jaw, broken wrist, brain damage, optic nerve damage and some Latin words were used for the other stuff wrong,” Urban said.
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She went on to explain, “I literally had to learn to play the guitar again. Certain songs and certain chords seemed impossible. I still will act like I am moving in rhythm, but it's to hide that I have to move the guitar to play certain chords.”
The Show Must Go On
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In spite of these obstacles, Urban has made it back as a performer. Her fans, whom she calls “the Urbanettes,” showed up on Wednesday to hear her play. They showed up in spite of the rain, which ranged from a drizzle to downpour – but remained constant -- during her three-hour performance.
While the weather kept both market and music fans away this time, Urban’s performance at the Farmer’s Market last month drew a sizable crowd.
“Last time, it was packed, but it was a beautiful day,” said Urban’s mother and fan, Joan Urban.
“Children were dancing,” added longtime fan Tony Griego.
“They [Woodmont Farmer’s Market] contacted me before I was actually ready to play yet, so I said to book me, and they did. It kinda put the fire in me to get going,” Urban said, expressing gratitude to Robert Treat Farm and the Woodmont Farmer’s Market for getting her motivated in her recovery.
Guitar in Hand Since 7
Urban, who grew up in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, CT, and now lives in Milford, began playing guitar at age 7. Her first solo gig was at Trumbull Mall when she was 13, and since then she has played in bands and solo nearly non-stop. She's been playing gigs every weekend either solo, or with her band, The Urban Legends.
At the Farmer’s Market on Wednesday, Urban played solo, but really, she was like a one-woman band, filling out the sounds of her voice and trademark pink paisley guitar with effects pedals, a drum machine, and other background sound machines. She played covers of mostly old school rock and pop tunes with a deftness and level of professionalism and talent that made it hard to believe she’d endured brain damage and other injuries so recently.
About her music and her influences, Urban said she “enjoys playing classic rock, blues, jazz, 70's disco, or top 40.
As for her influences, she said, "Pretty much everything.”
In addition to playing cover songs, Urban is an accomplished songwriter, with two CDs to her credit: "Scraps," recorded in 2000, and "Heaven the Hard Way," released in 2008. These can be purchased at Urban’s gigs or at http://www.cdbaby.com/.
Urban’s upcoming shows, as listed on her website, are:
- Oct. 8, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. -- . The ONE-YEAR anniversary of death and nope I did not die cause I am meant to play this gig! The FIRST time my band is back and we will ROCK your socks off!!!! The only way I accept you not coming by is if you died that day, just like I did one year ago.
- Dec. 17, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. -- . Yep we're back on track and I LOVE their big fat burrittos. They are so huge I eat the other half for breakfast. We will rock for sure!!”
Fundraisers Help Cover Medical Expenses
Because of Urban’s continuing high medical expenses, her mother, Joan Urban is hosting a fundraiser at at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 24. In addition, fans and supporters can contribute to help defray medical costs by donating to "The Carole Urban Benefit Account" at , 1636 Boston Post Road, Milford, CT 06460, Att. Wendy.
Urban said, “I am very happy to be alive. I never got depressed or sad over the accident. I am so lucky.”
