Pete Carr

Pete Carr
Carr in 2014
Background information
Birth name	Jesse Willard Carr
Born	(1950-04-22)April 22, 1950 Daytona Beach, Florida,U.S.
Died	June 27, 2020(2020-06-27)(aged 70) Florence, Alabama,U.S.
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, record producer
Years active	1965–2020
Formerly of	LeBlanc and Carr, Hour Glass, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Simon and Garfunkel

Jesse Willard"Pete"Carr(April 22, 1950 – June 27, 2020) was an American guitarist. Carr contributed session work to recordings byJoan Baez,Luther Ingram,Bob Seger,Paul Simon,Willie Nelson,Joe Cocker,Boz Scaggs,Percy Sledge,The Staple Singers,Rod Stewart,Barbra Streisand,Wilson Pickett,Hank Williams, Jr.,and many others, from the 1970s onward.

Carr recorded and produced four solo albums and was half of the duetLeBlanc and Carr.He recorded extensively atFAME Recording Studioin Muscle Shoals, Alabama andMuscle Shoals Sound StudioinSheffield, Alabama.He was lead guitarist for the famedMuscle Shoals Rhythm Section.Carr was known for versatility, using both electric and acoustic guitars to perform a vast array of musical styles including folk, rock, pop, country, blues and soul.

In addition, Carr added depth to his understanding of the recording studio environment by engineering and producing numerous albums over the years which has led to several Grammy nominations. In 1974, Paul Simon'sThere Goes Rhymin' Simonalbum was nominated for two Grammy Awards; andAgainst the WindbyBob Segerearned two Grammys in 1981.In addition, Carr co-produced Seger'sStranger in Townalbum which featured the hit "Old Time Rock and Roll".

Early life

Carr was born inDaytona Beach,Florida and started to play the guitar at age 13.The Beatlesand theRolling Stoneswere major influences on his early interest in music. Carr later became interested in guitar instrumentals such as "Walk, Don't Run"byThe Ventures,which he learned note for note by listening to the record. Around this time a guitar player from Memphis, Travis Wammack, released an instrumental guitar record named "Scratchy". The other side of the record was named "Fire Fly". When Carr heard "Scratchy" on the radio he was so impressed he immediately went out and bought the record. Carr also learned from listening to guitarists such as James Burton,Jeff Beck,Eric Clapton,Duane Allman,Ted Connors, andChet Atkins.

At the age of 15, Carr went to see theAllman Joysplay at the Club Martinique in Daytona Beach. Carr, with guitar case in hand, introduced himself when the band took a break and askedGregg Allmanto show him some guitar lines. Gregg replied, "That's my brother, Duane's, department." At that point Carr introduced himself to Duane Allman. That meeting began a friendship which lasted until Allman's tragic death in a motorcycle crash October 29, 1971.

In 1968, Carr,Gregg Allman,Duane Allman,Paul Hornsby,and Johnny Sandlin, in a group namedHour Glass,played together on thePower of Lovealbum. Also in 1968, Hour Glass recorded songs inMuscle Shoals, Alabama,atRick Hall's FAME Studios which was known for innovative productions and great sound.One song recording at FAME, "Sweet Little Angel", was later released in a Duane Allman Anthology set.

Session work

Carr during his studio years

Carr found that he preferred session work in recording studios along with the engineering and producing aspects of music, so he moved toMuscle Shoals, Alabama,around the age of 20 to pursue a studio career. Johnny Wyker and Court Pickett would soon start work on theirMotorcycle Mamaalbum under the name of "Sailcat". Carr contributed as musician, engineer, and producer on this project. The album was a commercial success for the new Muscle Shoals producer; afterward, Carr replacedEddie Hintonas lead guitarist for theMuscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

The 1970s were among the most productive of theMuscle Shoals Rhythm Sectionas the cream of rock, pop, and soul found their way to 3614 Jackson Highway inSheffield, Alabama.Carr played on almost all sessions recorded at the studio for the next 10 years. A good example of Carr's musical ability and taste is the standout guitar lines he played on the Bob Seger hit "Mainstreet". The Rhythm Section (including Carr) co-produced Paul Simon'sThere Goes Rhymin' Simonwhich earned them a Grammy nomination in 1974.

Carr continued as the premier session guitarist in the Muscle Shoals area playing on projects for artists recording at the main studios and also produced two guitar instrumental albums himself. It strengthened Carr's reputation as one of the South's best studio session guitarists, as well as an artist in his own right.Jerry Wexler,a world-renowned record executive and producer, helped Carr find a record label for his productions. Carr put together a group withLenny LeBlanc,LeBlanc & Carr,and created the albumMidnight Lightas both artist and producer. The song "Falling"became a big hit for them." Falling "was mixed at FAME Studios which is where Carr did most of the mixing for his production projects. The group's first tour was withLynyrd Skynyrdon their Street Survivors Tour which ended tragically with anairplane crash in Mississippi on October 20, 1977.After this tragedy, and other band problems, Carr decided to return to the studio.

Pete Carr had distinguished himself as the only studio musician in the Muscle Shoals area to succeed as studio musician, artist, composer, engineer, and producer.Tom Dowd called Carr to Los Angeles to play on aRod Stewartalbum which produced the big hit "Tonight's The Night". Carr's guitar playing was a prominent part of the hit. He layered rhythm and lead guitars throughout the song.In 1981 Carr was chosen to play for theSimon and GarfunkelReunion World Tour and the HBO Central Park Concert on September 19, 1981, where he played acoustic and electric guitar. Over half a million people were in attendance for the concert.

Rolling Stonemagazine gave Carr a rave review for his bluesy and tasty electric guitar solo on theBarbra Streisandsong "Make it Like a Memory" from her Grammy award-winning albumGuilty.It was the biggest selling album in Streisand's career. On the song "Woman in Love"from the same album, Carr's opening harmony guitar lines were notably unique and hard to categorize but effective in introducing the Streisand hit.

Carr's contribution to American music continues to be heard daily around the globe. Songs featuring Carr's lead guitar such asBob Seger's "Mainstreet"andPaul Simon's "Kodachrome"are standards. During theFalklands Warof 1982, as British battle ships set sail to reclaim the Islands the BBC (The British Broadcasting Corporation) played theRod Stewartsong "Sailing"nationwide." Sailing "featured Carr's acoustic and electric guitar playing.

Personal Discography

• Not A Word On It(1976)
• Multiple Flash(1978)
• Play That Guitar(2008)
• Pete Carr Unreleased(2022, posthumously)

Collaborations

WithBarbra Streisand

• Guilty(Columbia Records, 1980)

WithPaul Simon

• There Goes Rhymin' Simon(Columbia Records, 1973)
• Still Crazy After All These Years(Columbia Records, 1975)

WithJoan Baez

• Honest Lullaby(Portrait Records, 1979)

WithWillie Nelson

• Phases and Stages(Atlantic Records, 1974)

WithDee Dee Bridgewater

• Dee Dee Bridgewater(Atlantic Records, 1976)

WithCat Stevens

• Izitso(A&M Records, 1977)

WithDonovan

• Lady of the Stars(RCA Records, 1984)

WithMary MacGregor

• Torn Between Two Lovers(Ariola Records, 1976)

WithPaul Anka

• Feelings(United Artists Records, 1975)

WithLivingston Taylor

• Livingston Taylor(Atco Records, 1970)

WithArt Garfunkel

• Breakaway(Columbia Records, 1975)
• Watermark(Columbia Records, 1977)
• Scissors Cut(Columbia Records, 1981)

WithRod Stewart

• Atlantic Crossing(Warner Bros. Records, 1975)
• A Night on the Town(Warner Bros. Records, 1976)

WithJoe Cocker

• Luxury You Can Afford(Asylum Records, 1978)

WithGail Davies

• The Game(Warner Bros. Records, 1980)
• Givin' Herself Away(Warner Bros. Records, 1982)

WithKim Carnes

• Sailin'(A&M Records, 1976)

WithLevon Helm

• Levon Helm(Capitol Records, 1982)

WithJohnny Rivers

• The Road(Atlantic Records, 1974)

WithMavis Staples

• Oh What a Feeling(Warner Bros. Records, 1979)

WithBob Seger

• Back in '72(Reprise Records, 1973)
• Beautiful Loser(Capitol Records, 1975)
• Night Moves(Capitol Records, 1976)
• Stranger in Town(Capitol Records, 1978)
• Against the Wind(Capitol Records, 1980)
• The Distance(Capitol Records, 1982)
• Like a Rock(Capitol Records, 1986)

WithCandi Staton

• Candi(Warner Bros. Records, 1974)

WithBoz Scaggs

• My Time(Columbia Records, 1972)

WithJosé Feliciano

• Sweet Soul Music(Private Stock Records, 1976)

WithWendy Waldman

• Gypsy Symphony(Warner Bros. Records, 1974)

Awards and achievements

• 2023 Inductee into theAlabama Music Hall of Fame.
• 2020 Inductee into the Florida Music Hall of Fame.
• 2019 Inductee into the Southern Rock Hall of Fame.
• 2008 Inductee into the Musicians Hall of Fame inNashville, TN
• 2005Alabama Music Hall of FameAchiever (Studio Musician Award)
• "Falling" - NamedBMIMillionaire song (one million or more radio plays)
• "Falling" - Named one ofBillboard's all-time favorite Top 40 Hits

Award-winning recordings on which Pete Carr played

Billboard #1 Singles:

• "If Loving You is Wrong"(1972) byLuther Ingram(R&B)
• "Tonight's the Night"(1976–1977) byRod Stewart
• "Torn Between Two Lovers"(1977) byMary MacGregor
• "Woman in Love"(1980) byBarbra Streisand.
• "What Kind of Fool"(1981) byBarbra Streisand.

Billboard #1 Albums:

• Still Crazy After All These Years(1975) byPaul Simon
• Against the Wind(1980) byBob Seger
• Guilty(1980) byBarbra Streisand

Grammy Award Winning Albums:

• Still Crazy After All These Years(1976) byPaul Simon
• Against the Wind(1980) byBob Seger(co-producer and guitar)
• Guilty(1981) byBarbra Streisand

Grammy Nominated Albums:

• There Goes Rhymin' Simon(1974) byPaul Simon(co-producer and guitar)
• Still Crazy After All These Years(1976) byPaul Simon
• Against the Wind(1980) byBob Seger(co-producer and guitar)
• Guilty(1981) byBarbra Streisand

Grammy Nominated Record of the Year:

• "Woman in Love"(1981) byBarbra Streisand

Personal life

Carr resided inFlorence, Alabama,with his wife, Charlotte Price Carr. His one child, John A. Carr, is a professor at theUniversity of North Alabama.Pete Carr died on June 27, 2020, at the age of 70.

External links

• Pete Carrdiscography atDiscogs
• Official website