Rising Stars: Meet Otis Carter IV

Today we’d like to introduce you to Otis Carter IV.

Hi Otis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Moss Point, MS and spent time between there and Nashville growing up. I grew up in a family that valued education as well as music and athletics. I was a well-rounded child but I def focused on music a lot more than anything else. After graduating from MPHS and attending Alcorn State University on a band scholarship I found myself back in Nashville working as a barber which is what I did in high school to make money. Being a barber in Nashville opened my eyes to the world in a different capacity. The ability to connect and build with people from all walks of life was the dopest aspect of that profession. Being a barber also opened my eyes up to how much my network was expanding and how to leverage my network. After my first few years behind the chair, I started to leverage and monetize my expanding network by doing private events, comedy shows, and concerts. Being connected to Nashville by family since forever, and being a resident that was in the community by trade and profession I followed in my family’s footsteps by getting active in helping my people flourish. My father, grandmother and aunts taught school or were administrators.

My mom’s side is a pillar in the North Nashville community and she is very active with the youth in her church so I have it honest. The whole time I’m working I’m building relationships through music, events, and comedy to eventually form 4Ward Entertainment LLC and Wisecracks Comedy Series with my partners Carl Burrell, Leo Sweat, and Chris Rhone. During this same time, I met a brother by the name of Hambino Godbody through my Nashville music family connections and after realizing we had the same passion we formed the 200 Man Stand with the help of our other brother Sky Ferrari. I’ve been fortunate to have taken on some huge projects with my 4ward ent fam like Dick Gregory comedy shows, tours and festivals with Starlito, Multiple dates with Bun B, tours with Scotty ATL, booking Jelly Roll, sold-out shows at Zanies comedy club, managing successful independent artist and more. It’s been a wild yet rewarding ride in the entertainment world but my legacy will be the 200 Man Stand.

As of now, we’re in middle(Nashville, Springfield), west(Memphis), and East(Kingsport, Johnson City) Tennessee, we’re also on the Mississippi Gulf Coast(Moss Point, Pascagoula), Atl, Alabama and Georgia. All we do is spread peace, love, and brotherhood through various services and initiatives. some of those initiatives are simple as picking up litter in a particular neighborhood or taking time out to talk to a child to larger initiatives like resource festivals, winter supply drives, food drives and mental health awareness. My wife and son empower and motivate me to do all I do.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road but I navigate by feeding off of energy so I often feel if people or opportunities are for me or not before I’m in too deep. Of course, you can’t totally avoid all struggles but avoiding the ones you can through preparation turns the ones you have to endure into lessons. A good rule to learn in any profession is, ”if it sounds too good to be true, it prob is’

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an entertainment and event specialist by profession and community and unity advocate by calling. I own a company called 4ward entertainment group LLC. 4ward ent has been one of the most if not the most well-rounded Entertainment companies in the South East US and beyond. we’re different from the rest because we have the ability, expertise, and reach to have a comedy show in Cool Springs, Tn, a country music show at the historic Woolworth on 5th (downtown Nashville), and have a community clean up in the trenches the same day. We don’t put ourselves in a box. We’ve booked the late Young Dolph, Carl Thomas and the legendary Dick Gregory all in the same year all while remaining active and in tune with the people. in 2021 we started with newly recognized WAKO USA Olympic kickboxing to promote events in the SE US region. We find ways to engage and entertain people from all walks of life all while leveraging those high profile relationships to help inner city and underappreciated neighborhoods. my team is the team that will pick up 30 bags off trash from particular neighborhood at 9am. and at 9pm we’re opening doors to our concert.

What makes me proudest is being able to say I can walk around my people in all spaces with my head high, integrity intact, and people accepting me for me. The 200 Man Stand is me and my family’s legacy! 4Ward Entertainment group LLC is my passion.

How do you define success?
Success is simply achieving what you set out to accomplish. Success isn’t tied to money unless that’s your goal. If a woman desires to be a housewife and raise her children to be strong adults and she finds her a mate that mirrors her vision and they raise their children then she was successful. If a person desires to make a billion dollars and only earns 500 million, he may not feel successful. Success is achieving your goals. success is small most of the time and we often overlook those successes for the hopes of things bigger.

Pricing:

• Music Consultations $100 hr
• Graphic Design $75 minimum
• Website Design $1000 minimum
• Music Videos $1000 minimum

Contact Info:

• Email: otiscarteriv@yahoo.com
• Website: www.4ward.live | www.200manstand.org | www.wisecrackscomedy.com
• Instagram: @o_4ward | @4wardent | @200manstand
• Facebook: 4ward entertainment group llc
• Twitter: @ocsippcash | @4wardlive
• Youtube: 4ward entertainment group