Carlton was born in Detroit, Michigan, and began his career in the mid-1960s as "Little Carl" Carlton.[2] It was a marketing ploy to capitalize on some vocal similarities to Stevie Wonder, who recorded under the name "Little Stevie Wonder" in the early 1960s. His first recordings were for Lando Records,[2] for which he recorded some minor local hits, including "So What" and "Don't You Need a Boy Like Me".
In 1968, Don D. Robey signed Carlton to the Back Beat Record label, which Robey had started in 1957. Shortly after signing with the label, Carlton relocated to Houston, Texas, to be closer to his new label.[2]
Career
His first single with Back Beat Records, "Competition Ain't Nothing" became a huge hit on the UK northern soul scene after its release on the UK's Action Records label.[citation needed]
Carlton was listed as one of the Cash Box Best R&B Artists of 1970 in the December 26 issue of the magazine.[3]
Back Beat Records owner Robey sold his labels to ABC Records in 1972.[2] Beginning in 1976, Carlton became embroiled in a royalty dispute with ABC Records that caused him to stop recording for some time.[2] He then signed with Mercury Records in 1977, but only released one single on that label.[2] Carlton was unable to land a new recording contract for several years until Leon Haywood helped him get a singles deal with 20th Century Records.[2]
Carlton released several more albums in the 1980s but had only a few minor R&B hits. After 1985's Private Property, he did not release another album until 1994's Main Event, which also failed to chart.
In late 2002, Carlton appeared with many R&B stars on the "Rhythm, Love, and Soul" edition of the PBS series American Soundtrack. His performance of "Everlasting Love" was included on the accompanying live album that was released in 2004.[11]
On August 1, 2010, Carlton released his first gospel single entitled "God Is Good". On April 16, 2011, Carlton was nominated for a Detroit Music Award in the "Outstanding Gospel/Christian Vocalist" category.[12]
