By SABRINA BERNDT

Washington Daily News

The Carolina Music Awards show is approaching, and two locals are crossing their fingers for an award — or two.

Garrett, a husband and wife rock duo, is comprised of William and Nannette Garrett, who were both nominated for the Carolina Music Awards for Best Rock Male and Female.

“It’s kind of like Bonnie Raitt,” Nannette Garrett said. “She didn’t get her first Grammy until she was almost 40, so it’s kind of like a late recognition kind of thing, and that’s how it is for William and myself, because we’re both older.”

The two met in the ’80s while playing in a cover band, but were both in relationships at the time. They went their separate ways once the band dissolved, but re-met in 2004 and decided to start another band.

“We said, ‘Let’s try to put a band together,’ and in the first year of putting the band together, we actually just fell in love,” Nannette Garrett said.

Since their reunion, Garrett’s singles have appeared on radio charts all over the world, including Scotland, Australia and the United Kingdom, but the duo has just recently gained national recognition for their work.

Nannette Garrett was nominated for the 2018 Carolina Music Awards for Best Rock Female, and both Nannette and William Garrett were nominated for the 2019 awards show.

The Carolina Music Awards is dedicated to showcasing artists from North and South Carolina. Celebrating its 12th year on Aug. 17 at Raleigh’s Duke Energy Center, the show focuses on rock, hip-hop, bluegrass, youth, Americana, country and R&B.

“It’s a warm feeling that you get when someone likes the songs that you sing and songs you write,” Nannette Garrett said. “Sometimes, being older, you want to give up. … But then you get something like this, especially with both of us nominated, it makes us feel like what we’re doing is worth it to keep going.”

Garrett’s latest single, “Lover Like You,” was released to a select few radio stations on July 2 to celebrate the couple’s 14th wedding anniversary. For more information about future releases and updates, visit Garrett on Facebook.