About Carly!
Carly Rikard got her first taste of music at a very young age while sitting around her grandpa’s house after Sunday lunch — surrounded by flattop guitars, good family harmony, and the sweet sound of country storytelling. Like many artists who grew up singing in church, Carly quickly discovered that music wasn’t just something she loved — it was part of who she was. By the age of six, she had her first guitar and was already picking out chords with a natural sense of rhythm and an ear for harmony that came so effortlessly.
As a young performer, she brought the house down at her 5th grade talent show with her rendition of Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel,” and soon after was invited to perform with the Robbie Cockrell Band — wowing audiences with “Wagon Wheel” and “My Church” by Maren Morris. Around that same time, she also began writing her own music, debuting an original song titled “My Old Guitar” at the SC Farm Bureau Talent Show.
Since then, Carly has continued to grow as both a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, adding mandolin, fiddle, and piano to her repertoire. She has developed a sound that blends classic country, modern bluegrass, southern rock, and just the right touch of contemporary country. Over the years, she became a regular featured guest with Dave Watson and the Honky Tonk Heroes, earning fan-favorite status with her powerful rendition of Loretta Lynn’s “Love Is the Foundation.”
Today, Carly fronts The Show Goats, a South Carolina-based country band built on authentic musicianship, rich harmonies, and a shared love for live performance. Blending modern country favorites with timeless classics, bluegrass influences, and Carly’s original music, The Show Goats deliver a high-energy show that feels just as at home on a festival stage as it does in a hometown venue. With a reputation for connecting with audiences and bringing genuine country music to every performance, the band continues to build a loyal following across the Southeast while supporting Carly’s vision as a songwriter and artist.
Alongside leading The Show Goats, Carly is pursuing her passion professionally as a Music Business major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is sharpening her craft, learning the industry from the inside out, and building the foundation for a career as a songwriter and recording artist.
When she’s not writing or performing, you’ll likely find her back home with her horses or working hands-on with livestock — a lifestyle that continues to shape the grit, work ethic, and authenticity found in both her music and her songwriting.
Whether she’s taking the stage with The Show Goats or performing an intimate acoustic set, Carly brings heartfelt storytelling, genuine country roots, and an unmistakable passion for connecting with people through music. With perseverance, creativity, and a deep love for the traditions that shaped her, she is steadily carving out her place in country music — and she’s only just getting started.