Kim Carnes Parents: Meet James Raymond Carnes

Kim Carnes is a well-known American singer and songwriter who was born and raised in Los Angeles. In the 1960s, she began her musical career, primarily concentrating on songwriting for other performers.

She simultaneously sang at local bars and recorded background tracks for the renowned Water Sisters, who were the subject of the film “20 Feet from Stardom.” After securing her first publishing contract with Jimmy Bowen, Carnes issued her self-titled debut album in 1971.

Her first single to chart, “You’re a Part of Me,” which peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1975, was featured on her second self-titled album, which was released shortly after.

Carnes carried on with her musical endeavors, putting out the “Sailin’” CD the next year. The song “Love Comes from Unexpected Places,” which was featured on this album, won the American Song Festival and the Tokyo Song Festival’s Best Composition prize in 1976.

However, Carnes didn’t truly breakthrough in her career until 1980. She was asked to co-write songs for Kenny Rogers’ concept album “Gideon.” They received a Grammy Award nomination for their duet, “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer,” which rocketed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Carnes released her fifth album, “Romance Dance,” later that year. This album featured a cover of Smokey Robinson’s “More Love,” which peaked at No. 10 on the charts.