Birth Date: March 1, 1966
Birth Place: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Current Residence: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Terry Carter on Sax at Blues Fest 2002
James Hendrix in background
Email Terry Carter
Musical genres: Blues, Rock, Jazz, Acoustic
Terry Carter began playing the saxophone and banjo in the sixth grade. A
native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Terry attended Jonesboro High School,
where he was a staple in the jazz program, and played everything from
bass guitar to alto sax. While at J.H.S., he performed with his own
combo at various events, including a performance at the Governor's
Mansion for (then) Governor, Bill Clinton. This was to be the first of
many performances for Governor Clinton. After High School, Terry
attended both the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Arkansas
State University. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music, Radio/TV,
and Business.
Throughout his college career, "Cartosa" played with many bands as
singer, sax man, and rhythm guitarist. In 1985 he moved back to
Jonesboro and joined Joe Lee's Mello Express, an eighteen piece jazz
group, as part of the Sax Section. During this same time period he was
also playing with a Country/Rock band called "Delta Express".
In 1987 Terry began playing with Rockabilly legend Larry Donn as part of
"The Killer Possum Band". Whether jamming with "Black Oak Arkansas" or
"The John Craig Blues Revue", Carter was recognized with his own style
and sound. He was now a sought out studio musician, and he began
racking up session work and studio experience. Also in demand for his
musical arrangement capabilities, he began penning out everything from
church hymnals, to big band jazz charts.
Never being one to limit himself he also formed a band called "Viscious
Fish", which featured Rock and Blues originals. In 1991 Terry played
the first Craighead Forest Blues Fest, and has performed at nearly every
one since. Along about this time, Terry did an apprenticeship under piano
technician/saxophonist Larry Graddy, and then started his own piano
tuning and repair business, T.L.C. Piano Service. A business he still
owns today. By day a mild mannered piano tuner, by night a killer Sax
Man.
Through the early nineties, he was opening for such acts as "Sawyer
Brown", "Exile", T. Graham Brown, and even sax legend Ace Cannon. Carter
was a member of the "Starlight Rendezvous Orchestra," and later teamed
up with J.R. Rogers in the band "Southern Knights". Terry also performed
with local artists Narvel Felts, and Sun Studio legend Sonny Burgess.
While performing at the Gateway Theater, Terry opened for such acts as
David Allen Coe, Johnny Paycheck, T.G. Shepherd, and Mel McDaniels. He
also performed regularly with musical celebraties such as Jason D.
Williams, Johnny Rodriguez, Bobby Bare, Johnny Lee and many more.
In the mid-nineties, he formed the band "Tiny Kings", an
adult-alternative based group, featuring many of his original tunes.
Additionally, he became a member of "The West Finch Blues Band", one of
Northeast Arkansas most enduring blues entities. In the blues scene,
Cartosa also performs with blues legends such as Little Howlin' Wolf,
Joyce Cobb, Katy Webster, and Joyce Lawson. His long-time friendship
with blues guitarist John Shepherd, helped to bring about their current
band "9 Below."
Terry has toured with acts such as "The Shirelles","The Boxtops", and in
the late 90's toured Japan with "The Platters". He has made numerous
TV appearences and has been featured on many Something Blue shows
including performances with John Shepherd, Hairy Larry and the Flying
Hungarians, West Finch Blues Band, and Jonathan Green.
Touted as one of Arkansas greatest unsigned artists, Carter appears
regularly throughout the mid-south at various festivals and venues large
and small. Known as a prolific songwriter, his music crosses into many
musical genres, keeping him popular with a wide variety of audiences.
Multi-instrumental, Carter plays sax, guitar, keyboards, drums, bass,
mandolin, and harmonica.
Also sought out as one of the areas leading piano technicians, Terry is
owner of TLC Piano Service, specializing in piano tuning and repair.
CD's and booking information for Terry Carter and his bands can be done
through TLC Entertainment Service at 870-935-2482, or 1-888-248-6811.
Terry Carter on Anything Arkansas
Arkansas Famous and Infamous
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