Rob Not Bob Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Sad and bizarre ... I just saw him with the New Bohemians at blues Fest Carter Albrecht, musician with Sorta, New Bohemians, dies in shooting 12:28 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 By TANYA EISERER / The Dallas Morning News teiserer@dallasnews.com Carter Albrecht The local music community was left stunned Monday by the fatal shooting of a well-known musician who authorities say beat up his girlfriend and then tried to kick in a neighbor's door in an apparent drunken rage. Jeffrey Carter Albrecht, 34, died early Monday after being shot in the head by the neighbor, who thought he was a burglar. Police said the girlfriend had bruises on her face but did not suffer serious injuries. The couple did not have a history of domestic violence, police said. Mr. Albrecht, who went by his middle name, was a guitarist and keyboardist best known for his work with the Dallas rock band Sorta as well as with Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. "It's a sad day for Dallas music," local concert promoter Mike Snider said. "He was a musical genius, a real prodigy — everything came to him naturally. He was an incredible instrumentalist — when he played, you could really see the joy he got out of playing." According to police, Mr. Albrecht and his girlfriend had been partying at a Greenville Avenue bar. He had gotten drunk, and she had driven them to her home in the 9000 block of Santa Clara Drive, just east of White Rock Lake, police said. The girlfriend told police that Mr. Albrecht slammed a drinking glass on a table, cutting his hand. He then struck the girlfriend in the face several times with his fist, knocking her to the floor at about 4 a.m. Monday, the report said. ZACK LEWIS/DMN Carter Albrecht, performing at Bend Studio in early 2007. He hit her in the back while she was on the floor, the report said. She broke away from Mr. Albrecht and ran outside. He followed her, according to the report. She then went around to the back yard and through the back door, locking Mr. Albrecht out, the report said. Mr. Albrecht "attempted a few times to gain access to the … residence by knocking and banging on the door," but could not get in, the report said. Police believe Mr. Albrecht then went to the back of nearby neighbor's home. The neighbor told police "he was awakened when he heard his wife screaming that someone was breaking into the house." The man was kicking and banging at the door, and the homeowner yelled at him to stop. When the man, identified as Mr. Albrecht, didn't stop, the homeowner who was armed with a handgun "shot one time at the top of the door," the report said. "He was trying to shoot over his head to scare him away," but Mr. Albrecht "is rather tall," said Sgt. Larry Lewis, a homicide supervisor, estimating the musician's height to be 6-foot-5. Mr. Albrecht was shot once time in the head and died at the scene. Police did not release the name of the homeowner who shot Mr. Albrecht. Investigators said the case will be referred to the grand jury to determine whether any charges will be filed. A new law, nicknamed the "Castle doctrine," eliminates the requirement that someone has to retreat before using deadly force to defend themselves. The law already allows a person to use deadly force to prevent someone from committing a break-in at night. Mr. Albrecht's parents declined to comment on the events surrounding his death but did say that they had spoken to his girlfriend. "She's a dear person," the musician's mother, Judith Albrecht, said. "We've hugged and cried. I know they cared for each other a lot." Mrs. Albrecht and her husband, Kenneth, who live in Plano, said their son's friends had been in and out of their house all day, paying their respects. An informal gathering of local musicians and friends was scheduled for Monday night at The Barley House in Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht said they knew from an early age that their son had the makings of a gifted musician. Mrs. Albrecht began teaching him piano as a small child, and he later took lessons from a college professor while the family lived in Kansas. "He had a wonderful ear," Mrs. Albrecht said. "It just came natural to him. He had a way of making what was on the page come to life." Their son attended Southern Methodist University on a music scholarship. He received a degree in piano performance in 1995. Several years ago, Mr. Albrecht was named best songwriter and musician of the year by the Dallas Observer. "He always wanted to have a band," his father said. "Music was how he was going to make his living." His parents said his career was taking off, and he was nearly done with a solo album. He was also working on an album with Sorta. "Anybody that's been in this city that's been a performing musician has been touched by him in some way or another," said Sorta singer Trey Johnson. "He was that respected." Staff Writer Thor Christensen contributed to this report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 more on this claims that he was in a drunken rage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palms Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 OH MY GOD!I can't believe this. Sorta is honestly one of the best new roots rock bands in the USA right now. How they are not signed is besides me. I saw them at SXSW in 2004 and instantly fell in love with the band.This is horribly shitty news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shitidiot Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Sorta is honestly one of the best new roots rock bands in the USA right now. How they are not signed is besides me. I bet its cause he was an drunken wifebeater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palms Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 I doubt it, but thanks for your idiot response anyway. He's a side player in the band, and apparently if you read up on things this seems to be very out of the norm for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ersh Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Oh shit! I just realized I knew this guy. He played keyboards for Charlie Sexton, and we hung out when I was in Austin in March. Really nice dude, and a great player as well. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 i wondered if you had met him in austin. sorry dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YearsAlongTheSea Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 I think it's more sad that he beat his wife and knocked on the wrong door while acting like a jackass... Instant karma? Bad beans either way...RIP... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Im going home Donny Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 I think it's more sad that he beat his wife and knocked on the wrong door while acting like a jackass... Instant karma? Bad beans either way...RIP...Agreed and agreed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YearsAlongTheSea Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Yeah, not to beat a dead horse, but we're talking about Texas here. Famed musician or not.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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