THE BARLEY HOUSE - Where beer is a way of life

Jeffrey Carter Albrecht, died on September 3, 2007. Known to all as Carter, the graduate of Southern Methodist University looked and sounded, but never acted, like a star. Singing and playing guitar and piano in a number of bands, including Sparrows, Sorta, and Edie Brickell and New Bohemiams, Carter was as close to a virtuoso as one might find toiling in bars and nightclubs rather than an orchestra pit. Based on that boundless talent, he was named Musician of the Year and Best Songwriter by the Dallas Observer in 2003. Yet he always carried himself with the humility and enthusiasm of someone who was just getting his start. In fact, his personality and character far surpassed his skills as a musician; Carter would have stood out from any crowd he chose had he never touched a piano key. He was a genuine fan of music and life in general, especially of the many instances when the two could be combined. Because of the joy he found while on this earth, and the joy he brought to others in the process, he will always be with us, though we truly and deeply miss him. Carter is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Judith, and a few dozen of the best songs that ever came out of Dallas.