ATHENS — Lorenzo Carter, fierce man-child linebacker for the Georgia football team, may finish his typical day by listening to some Bach. Or maybe some Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky … whatever has a good, slow feel.
“I love classical music,” Carter said.
He’s not just saying it: Carter was so into music and orchestra growing up that he played four instruments: The cello, tuba, baritone and trombone. He doesn’t anymore, what with the whole football thing, but on Tuesday night he expressed a desire to pick up the cello again.
“It’s pretty relaxing,” Carter said. “That was my first love. I fell in love with the sound.”
That’s why Yo Yo Ma is prominently in Carter’s Pandora collection. The revealing of that information led to a reporter pulling Ma’s version of Bach’s cello concerto up on his phone, and Carter listening to it for a few moments before having to head back to the locker room.
Carter was a five-star recruit coming out of Norcross High School, a Parade All-American, leading his team to a state championship.
But his parents, Leo and Lisa Carter, made sure their son was involved with more than just football.
“My parents always pushed a balance, making sure you have a balance with school, athletics, and some type of music,” Carter said. “So my whole family has some kind of musical talent, so I had to pick something up.”
It’s actually been awhile since he actually played the cello – the eighth grade. But Carter, now in his junior year at Georgia, remembers it well.
“I was pretty good,” Carter said, smiling. “I was first chair!”