Music industry makes note of student songwriter

GUITAR HERO- Agoura High School freshman Carson Caccamise sold his first song when he was 5 years old. Carson Caccamise, 13, is a singing, songwriting, guitar- and piano-playing, all-around music professional.

The Lindero Middle School student, who will enter eighth grade at the Agoura Hills school in the fall, sold his first song when he was 5 years old.

"It got started as a punishment," said Carson's father, Joe Caccamise, a songwriter himself. "Every time he got mad at me I told him to write it down." If Carson didn't want to write down his feelings about an argument, Caccamise suggested that his son contemplate his crime and perhaps write a poem.

"Telling an 8-year-old kid to contemplate is like putting him in jail," Caccamise said. "Luckily, in school they make him contemplate."

As Carson remembers it, when he was 5 and returning from a trip with his family, his father said he had just one punishment left- to write a story.

"I turned it into a song," Carson said. The song led to a trip to the recording studio; within six months his composition was included on a compilation of songs that was released to radio stations throughout the nation.

In 2004, Carson wrote "You're a Mystery," recorded by Mike Mulholland, with the chorus: You're a mystery Sometimes you act like a stranger You're a mystery When you put my heart in danger

Carson has written four songs, three of which have been recorded. He's received three honorable mentions in VH1 song contests. In 2005 he became one of the youngest members in the history of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). He has submitted four songs to musician George Benson.

Anything in Carson's life can inspire a song, he said. "Sometimes I watch the news and think about songs." When he attended a summer school writing course in 2006, Carson wrote "Summer School Fear," which was recorded by a female European artist. The song has six verses, including: She keeps on talking and I feel like walking She asks what's the reason I keep on sneezing I'm allergic to her teaching And all her preaching . . . Here in summer school

His composition "Bittersweet" was recorded by Dave Waterbury on Vantage Records in May. Waterbury is a former member of the band Spirit. The radio station KROQ called Carson and Caccamise on June 7 to discuss airing the song.

The chorus of "Bittersweet" expresses confusion about the game of love in middle school and beyond: When you're nice to me it's such a mystery Girl you are bittersweet and I like it Girl you're cold and hot it's like trick or treat Girl you're bittersweet and I like it

While Carson hasn't made much money in the music field, the networking and airtime are far more valuable for a student, Caccamise said. Carson does receive regular checks, albeit small ones, from $20 to $100.

Caccamise said he's happy with the arrangement he has with his son- no chores in exchange for writing music. But Carson does more than write songs. Besides maintaining straight-A's at school, he plays piano and guitar, and plays on an All-Star baseball team and on club soccer and basketball teams. He's a tournament-winning golfer and has earned a black belt in karate.

Carson says he has plenty of time to hang out with friends, too.

"He's a very talented young boy . . . a real rocker," Caccamise said.

To hear some of Carson's songs, visit www.myspace.com/carsoncaccamise.