'CSI' Actor, Musician Brad Carter Raising Funds For Album Before 2nd Brain Surgery
STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — A Hollywood actor and musician who played guitar live during an "awake" brain procedure in May is crowd-funding his first album before he goes under the knife again.
Brad Carter, who inspired millions when a video clip of the former "CSI" actor underdoing a Deep Brain Stimulation procedure at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center went viral, has raised over $45,000 on Kickstarter to realize his dream of recording new music.
Carter was diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremors, a disorder that causes his hands to shake and eyes to twitch involuntarily, in 2006, and told CBS2's Amy Johnson he is elated after over 800 supporters donated money to back his campaign.
"I'm very, excited especially because of what it means to me... I'm not trying to get famous. I'm not trying to sell a million albums. I'm just doing it because I know that I have a short window of time that I can still do it before this disease takes that away from me," he said.
The 39-year-old actor, artist and musician must undergo another surgery in the next few weeks so doctors can try to stop the tremors that seem to have progressed. He is hopeful but determined to complete the album no matter the outcome.
"Initially I went into the surgery knowing that it may not work. It may work only 50 percent. I was never promised anything," Carter said about his first operation.
"I'm scared to do it again. I'm nervous... There are dangerous that come along with doing it. It's brain surgery and I'm aware of the risk," he said.
Carter said the risk of not trying to push forward, however, would be even worse, because he realizes this album may be his one and only.
"Actually now my left hand is starting to follow. And I've always known that once my left hand goes then no more guitar," he said.
Creating the album is also his way of saying thank you to those who have supported him on the project and through life over the past seven years as he has dealt with the tremors.
After exceeding his fundraising goal by more than $3,000 and counting, Carter is hoping to use the extra cash to fund a promotional music video.
"Hey, these people believe in me and I'm going to do this album come hell or high water," he said. "If I have to glue a pick to my hand and bang it against a guitar, I'm going to make an album for everybody that believes in me."
Carter's album is expected to be finished next April in Studio City.
For more information on how you can help, visit Brad Carter's Kickstarter page.
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