Carly Rikard got her first taste of music at a very young age while sitting around her grandpa’s house after Sunday lunch with a couple of flattop guitars and some good family harmony. Like so many young musicians, Carly started out singing in church. By the age of six, she had her first guitar and knew how to play a few chords. It was apparent very early on that she had a phenomenal sense of rhythm and a God-given ear for good harmonies. She headlined the 5th grade school talent show with her rendition of Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel”. Later that year, at just 10 years old, she was invited to sing with the Robbie Cockrell Band and wowed the audience with “Wagon Wheel” and “My Church” (Maren Morris).

In addition to singing and playing guitar, Carly also began to write her own songs. In 2017, at the tender age of eleven, she performed an original song titled "My Old Guitar” at the annual SC Farm Bureau talent show. Over the last five years, Carly has continued to write while adding mandolin, fiddle, and piano to her list of instruments. She has worked hard to develop her very own style – a unique blend of classic country and modern bluegrass, with a touch of today's "classy country" and southern rock.

In the summer of 2022, she got up to sing a few songs with Dave Watson and the Honky Tonk Heroes and immediately became a fan favorite when she belted out “Love is the Foundation” by Loretta Lynn! She’s been featured as a guest artist with them ever since.

In January of 2023, Carly put together her own band ~ The Show Goats! This band consists of some of the best players South Carolina has ever seen; a talented group of well-seasoned musicians who are all focused on one thing – seeing Carly Rikard succeed!

When she’s not playing or writing music, you can most likely find Carly in the barn with her horses or at her family’s music store, Martin’s Vintage Music Co. in Lexington, SC. She’s finishing up her senior year at Lexington High School and will be moving to Nashville, TN in August of 2024 to attend Belmont University in pursuit of a degree in Music Business.

This girl has proven that she’s not afraid of hard work! With her perseverance and natural talent, she’s destined for big things!