Carson Whitsett
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Carson Whitsett is an American keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer.
Carson Whitsett was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He joined his older brother Tim's band, Tim Whitsett & The Imperials (later known as The Imperial Show Band) and quickly became a stand-out on the B-3 organ. Following the breakup of the band, Whitsett spent time in Canada playing with Eric Mercury before an invitation to Stax Records where Tim Whitsett was now in charge of the label's East Memphis publishing arm. Carson's playing inspired bassist Donald Dunn and drummer Al Jackson Jr. to reemerge, along with Stax session guitarist Bobby Manuel in place of Steve Cropper, as The MG's, releasing an album in 1973.
Whitsett moved to Malaco Records, where he played in the house band, appearing on Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon album, Anita Ward's Ring My Bell, Dorothy Moore's Misty Blue, albums by Connie Francis and Paul Davis, one of the highest selling Blues albums of all time in Z. Z. Hill's Down Home Blues, and numerous albums by such legends as Bobby Bland, Little Milton, and former Stax sensation Johnnie Taylor.
Whitsett's first major success as a songwriter came in 1980 with a number one song on the Contemporary chart (#18 Pop, #30 Country), Fred Knoblock's "Why Not Me". Lorrie Morgan requested on her debut album to record Whitsett's "Dear Me", which became her first top ten hit.
For several years he served as keyboardist for country music star Kathy Mattea and became very close with Mattea's husband, songwriter Jon Vezner. Vezner's skills inspired Whitsett to new heights as an arranger, composer, and musician. During this time, Whitsett also recorded three solo piano projects.
Carson Whitsett was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He joined his older brother Tim's band, Tim Whitsett & The Imperials (later known as The Imperial Show Band) and quickly became a stand-out on the B-3 organ. Following the breakup of the band, Whitsett spent time in Canada playing with Eric Mercury before an invitation to Stax Records where Tim Whitsett was now in charge of the label's East Memphis publishing arm. Carson's playing inspired bassist Donald Dunn and drummer Al Jackson Jr. to reemerge, along with Stax session guitarist Bobby Manuel in place of Steve Cropper, as The MG's, releasing an album in 1973.
Whitsett moved to Malaco Records, where he played in the house band, appearing on Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon album, Anita Ward's Ring My Bell, Dorothy Moore's Misty Blue, albums by Connie Francis and Paul Davis, one of the highest selling Blues albums of all time in Z. Z. Hill's Down Home Blues, and numerous albums by such legends as Bobby Bland, Little Milton, and former Stax sensation Johnnie Taylor.
Whitsett's first major success as a songwriter came in 1980 with a number one song on the Contemporary chart (#18 Pop, #30 Country), Fred Knoblock's "Why Not Me". Lorrie Morgan requested on her debut album to record Whitsett's "Dear Me", which became her first top ten hit.
For several years he served as keyboardist for country music star Kathy Mattea and became very close with Mattea's husband, songwriter Jon Vezner. Vezner's skills inspired Whitsett to new heights as an arranger, composer, and musician. During this time, Whitsett also recorded three solo piano projects.
