Carson Whitsett


Main image

American keyboardist, songwriter and producer.
Born May 1, 1945, Jackson, Mississippi
Died May 8, 2007, Nashville, Tennessee (brain cancer).

He joined his older brother Tim Whitsett’s band, Tim Whitsett & The Imperials (later known as The Imperial Show Band), in 1961 and quickly became a stand-out on the B-3 organ.
He remained with the band until they disbanded, in 1969.

Following the end of The Imperial Show Band, Carson made a name for himself as a producer, and even more so, as a songwriter.

In the early 1970s, Carson joined Stax Records in Memphis as a session musician and even recorded an album as a member of The M.G.’s, replacing Booker T.

In 2003, the composition he co wrote with Dan Penn, Don’t Give Up On Me, was the title cut for the Grammy winning album by Solomon Burke.

For several years he also served as keyboardist for country music star Kathy Mattea.

Carson Whitsett died May 8, 2007, after a sixteen month bout with brain cancer.

ALBUMS


Various
Disco Discharge. Disco Fever USA
2024, 2x Vinyl White, 140g, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Various
Moon Ride (Uncut Cosmic Disco Diamonds From The T.K. Galaxy)
2021, 2x12", Comp, T.K. Disco, ,
Disco/Funk/Soul
Eddie Floyd
Miss You
2010, ,
Soul
Various
Dirty Space Disco
2007, ,
Leftfield/Disco
Lindstrøm
LateNightTales
2007, ,
Spoken Word/Prog Rock/Disco/Electro/Synth-pop/Funk
Various
Disco Nights Volume 6
1999, ,
Disco
Various
Simply The Best Of Warner Music UK
1998, 2xCD, Comp, Promo, Warner Music UK Ltd., ,
Pop Rock/Synth-pop/Disco
Cotton Yancey
The Last Of The Zane Grey Cowboys
1994, CD, Album, South Paw Records (2)
Fern Kinney
Fern Kinney
1988
Candi Staton / Fern Kinney
Victim / Groove Me
1987, Vinyl, ,
Disco
Fern Kinney
Sweet Music
1983
Fern Kinney
I'm Ready For Your Love
1982, 12", Malaco Records, ,
Disco
Fern Kinney
Fern
1981, ,
Soul/Disco
Fern Kinney
Let The Good Times Roll
1981, ,
Disco
Fern Kinney
I've Been Lonely For So Long
1981,
Disco
Ruby Wilson
Ruby Wilson
1981
Norma Jordan
I'll Pay The Price / Baby Lay Down
1980, 7", Ciao, ,
Disco
Norma Jordan
No Obligations
1980, Cass, Album, Ciao, ,
Disco
Dorothy Moore
Talk To Me / Every Beat Of My Heart
1980, ,
Soul
Ruby Wilson
Bluer Than Blue / The Feeling's Still There
1980
Amber
Dy-No-Mite
1980
Dorothy Moore
Talk To Me
1980
Mis'sippi
Mis'sippi
1980, Vinyl, ,
Prog Rock/Disco
Norma Jordan
No Obligations
1980
Eddie Floyd
The Beat Song / London
1980, ,
Soul
Dorothy Moore
There'll Never Be Another Night Like This
1980
Fern Kinney
Baby Let Me Kiss You
1979, 7", Single, WEA, ,
Disco
Fern Kinney
I Want You Back / Groove Me
1979, ,
Synth-pop/Disco
Fern Kinney
Groove Me
1979, ,
Disco
Fern Kinney
Together We Are Beautiful
1979
Fern Kinney
Groove Me
1979, ,
Disco
Fern Kinney
Together We Are Beautiful
1979
Various
The Best Disco Album In The World
1979
Anderson Brothers
Let Her Dream
1978, 7", Single, DJM Records (2),
The Anderson Brothers*
The Anderson Bros.
1978, ,
Soul
Anderson Brothers
Blue Eyes
1978
Amber (16) With The Deep South Dance Band
Dixie Disco / Dancin' Place
1978
Fern Kinney
Groove Me
1979
The Imperial Show Band
Tia Maria / Sad Wind
1966

APPEARANCES +


Philipp Fankhauser
Ain't That Something
2025, 2xLP, Album, 180, Funk House Blues Productions, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Country/Gospel/Chanson
Dan Penn
The Inside Track On Bobby Purify
2024, CD, Album, The Last Music Company
Tommy Tate
I Can't Do Enough For You Baby / Hold On (To What We've Got)
2024, 7", Soul 4 Real Records
Various
Untitled
2023, CDr, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Pinecastle Recording Company, Bonfire Recording Company, ,
Bluegrass
Dan Penn
Unheard Demos
2023, LP, Album, Gre, The Last Music Company
Various
Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute To John Anderson
2022, Vinyl, ,
Country
Booker T. & The MG's*
The Complete Stax Singles, Vol. 2 (1968-1974)
2021, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Andy Watts (8) Featuring Special Guests Joe Louis Walker And Eliza Neals
Supergroove
2020, CD, Album, Booga Music, Vizztone Label Group,
Dan Penn
Living On Mercy
2020, ,
Soul
Dan Penn
Blue In The Heart / Time To Get Over You
2019, 7", Ltd, Soul 4 Real Records
Various
AOR Age Presents Gems And Rarities
2018, 2xCD, Comp, Mono, RM, Blu, Sony Records Int'l, ,
Soft Rock/Pop Rock/Ballad/Contemporary R&B/City Pop/AOR/Vocal
Philipp Fankhauser
I'll Be Around (The Malaco Session)
2018,
Dan Penn
Something About The Night
2016, CD, Album, Dandy Records (3),
Jackie Payne
I Saw the Blues
2015, CD, Album, Dig, Blue Dot Records,
Danny O'Keefe
Light Leaves The West
2015
Dan Penn
I Need A Holiday
2013, CD, Album, Dandy Records (3), ,
Soul
Various
Soul Deep Deluxe Edition
2013, 2x CD 7 Sized Gatefold, ,
Soul
Tony Joe White
Hoodoo
2013
Various
Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame: Compilation CD Volume Three
2012, CD, Comp, Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame,
Paul Simon
The Complete Albums Collection
2012, ,
Pop Rock/Folk
Solomon Burke
The Last Great Concert
2012
C.P. Love And Jimmy Dobbins
Malaco Soul Brothers Volume 2
2010, CD, Comp, Soulscape Records (2), ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Janis Ian
Billie's Bones & Folk Is The New Black
2010, 2xCD, Comp, Edsel Records
Dan Penn
Junkyard Junky
2007, CD, Album, Dandy Records (3),
Suzy Bogguss
Sweet Danger
2007, CD, Album, Loyal Dutchess Records
Coco Montoya
Dirty Deal
2007
David Sea
Love Makes The World Go Round
2006, CD, Album, Park Place Records (2)
Etta James
The Definitive Collection
2006, CD,
Various
Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers
2006, CD, ,
Soul
Janis Ian
Folk Is The New Black
2006, ,
Folk/Folk Rock/Soft Rock/Pop Rock
Tony Joe White
Uncovered
2006
Bobby Purify
Better To Have It
2005, CD, Single, Promo, Proper Records (2), ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Hacienda Brothers
Hacienda Brothers
2005
Kathy Mattea
Right Out Of Nowhere
2005, ,
Country
Bobby Purify
Better To Have It
2005
Peter Gallagher
7 Days In Memphis
2005, ,
Vocal/Soul/Soft Rock
Various
Anti- Sampler 2004
2004, SACD, Promo, Smplr, Anti-
James Carr
My Soul Is Satisfied: The Rest Of James Carr
2004, CD, Comp, Kent Soul, ,
Gospel/Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Tad Robinson
Did You Ever Wonder?
2004, CD, Album, Severn Records, ,
Electric Blues/Harmonica Blues
Various
Hi-Hat Dans Mix
2004, CD, Comp, Hi-Hat Records (4)
Tricia Walker
The Heart Of Dixie
2004, CD, Album, Enh, Big Front Porch Productions, ,
Folk
Tony Joe White
The Heroines
2004, ,
Delta Blues
Various
Oorgasm 15 - Volume 02
2003, CD, Comp, Enh, Promo, OOR, ,
Alternative Rock/Techno
Patti Page
Child Of Mine
2003, CD, Album, C.A.F. Records, Inc., ,
Vocal/Easy Listening
Tony Joe White
Snakey
2003, ,
Louisiana Blues/Blues Rock/Southern Rock/Country Rock/Rock & Roll
Bobby Blue Bland*
Blues At Midnight
2003, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Various
Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues (A Musical Journey)
2003, 5x CD, Box Set, ,
Delta Blues/Chicago Blues/Electric Blues/Jump Blues/Modern Electric Blues/Rhythm & Blues
Various
Sensation Nation
2002, CD, Comp, Uncut (2), ,
Country Rock/Pop Rock/Indie Rock/Blues Rock/New Wave/Synth-pop/Classic Rock
Solomon Burke With The Blind Boys Of Alabama
None Of Us Are Free
2002, CD, Maxi, Fat Possum Records,
Soul
Queen Esther Marrow* And The Harlem Gospel Singers
God Cares
2002
Solomon Burke
Don't Give Up On Me
2002
Solomon Burke
Don't Give Up On Me
2002
Kathy Mattea
Roses
2002, ,
Country
Various
Our Turn To Cry
2001, CD, Comp, Kent Soul, ,
Soul
Whirlybirds
Black Eye
2001, CD, Album, Robsum Records
Irma Thomas
If You Want It Come And Get It
2001, ,
Soul
Theryl "Houseman" De'Clouet*
The Houseman Cometh!
2001, CD,
Kathy Mattea
The Innocent Years
2000, CD Enhanced, ,
Country
Irma Thomas
My Heart's In Memphis - The Songs Of Dan Penn
2000, CD, ,
Soul/Rhythm & Blues
Johnny Adams
There Is Always One More Time
2000, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Dan Penn
Blue Nite Lounge
2000,
Johnnie Taylor
Lifetime - A Retrospective Of Soul, Blues & Gospel 1965-1999
2000, 3x CD, ,
Soul
Various
The Last Soul Company - Malaco A Thirty Year Retrospective
1999, 6xCD, Comp + Box, Malaco Records, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Various
The Blues Collection By Bose
1999, CD, Comp, Bose, Bose, Bose,
Sven-Ingvars
Älskar Du Mig
1999, ,
Pop Rock/Soft Rock/Schlager
Johnnie Taylor
Gotta Get The Groove Back
1999, ,
Rhythm & Blues
The Nighthawks
Still Wild
1999,
Danny O'Keefe
Runnin' From The Devil
1999, ,
Pop Rock
William Bell
Phases Of Reality / Relating
1999
Jimmy Nalls
Ain't No Stranger
1999, ,
Blues Rock/Southern Rock
Various
Blues Masters, Volume 17: More Postmodern Blues
1998, CD, Comp, RM, Rhino Records (2), ,
Modern Electric Blues
Todd Nolan & South Mountain
Todd Nolan & South Mountain
1998, CD, Album, Not On Label (Todd Nolan Self-released), ,
Country
Bobby Blue Bland*
Live On Beale Street
1998, CD, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Johnny Adams
Man Of My Word
1998
Tony Joe White
One Hot July
1998, ,
Blues Rock
John Anderson
The Essential John Anderson
1998,
Various
Southern Gumbo - The Best Of New Orleans R&B, Soul And Zydeco On Rounder Records
1997, CD, Comp, Promo, Rounder Records, ,
Zydeco/Rhythm & Blues/Brass Band
Irma Thomas
The Story Of My Life
1997, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Luke Walter Jr*
Back To Normal
1996, CD, Album, Ariola, BMG Ariola Belgium NV/SA, ,
Blues Rock/Soft Rock
Various
Scene Heard Volume Two: More Rare & Unreleased Tracks Compiled By The Dallas Observer
1996, CD, Comp, Observer Records (2), ,
Acoustic/Alternative Rock/Country Rock/Blues Rock/Folk Rock/Garage Rock/Hard Rock/Indie Rock/Pop Punk/Pop Rock/Punk/Rock & Roll/Cool Jazz/Spoken Word/Shoegaze
Luke Walter Jr*
I Don't Need Nothing
1996, CD, Single, BMG Ariola Belgium NV/SA
Lorrie Morgan
Good As I Was To You
1996, CD, Comp, Promo, BNA Records Label, ,
Country
John Anderson
Greatest Hits
1996
Hunter Moore
Delta Moon
1996
Glenn Shorrock
The First 20 Years
1996, ,
Pop Rock/Classic Rock
Various
The Greatest Music Herd Volume Thirty-Two
1995, CD, Comp, Promo, BMG Music Canada Inc., BMG
Lorrie Morgan
Greatest Hits
1995, ,
Country
John Anderson
Mississippi Moon
1995
Barbara Mandrell
The Collection
1995
William Bell
Duets
1994, CD, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Dalton Reed
Willing & Able
1994, CD, ,
Soul
Little Milton
I'm A Gambler
1994, ,
Modern Electric Blues/Soul
Dan Penn
Do Right Man
1994, CD, ,
Soul
Marilyn Powell
Seeds
1993, CD, Album, President Records Ltd., ,
Vocal
Cynthia Schloss
This Is Love
1993, ,
Reggae-Pop
Etta James
How Strong Is A Woman (The Island Sessions)
1993
Jerry Butler
Angel Flying Too Close To the Ground
1992, 7", Single, Ichiban Records
Silk
Smooth As Silk
1992, ,
Soul/Funk
Various
Sweet Soul Music: Voices From The Shadows
1992, CD, ,
Soul
South Mountain
Dixiefied
1991, CD, Album, Koch International
Irma Thomas
Safe With Me & Irma Thomas Live
1991, CD, Album, Comp, RE, RM, RCS Records,
Various
Everburning Country Five
1991, LP, Comp, Koch International, ,
Country
T. Graham Brown
You Can't Take It With You
1991, ,
Country
Connie Francis
Among My Souvenirs
1990, CD, Comp, Club, Malaco Records
Connie Francis
Among My Souvenirs
1990, ,
Vocal
Etta James
Stickin' To My Guns
1990
The Mar-Keys
Damifiknow / Memphis Experience
1990, ,
Soul/Funk
Anita Ward
Ring My Bell
1989
Bobby Blue Bland*
Midnight Run
1989, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Connie Francis
Where The Hits Are
1989, ,
Pop Rock/Ballad
Lorrie Morgan
Leave The Light On
1989, ,
Country
Johnnie Taylor
Crazy 'bout You
1989, Vinyl, ,
Soul
Terry Sheridan
Never Missing You
1988, 7", Single, Celebrity Records (15)
Little Milton
Back To Back
1988, ,
Soul
B.B. King
King Of The Blues: 1989
1988
Lorrie Morgan
Dear Me
1988
Linda Davis
Back In The Swing Again / All The Good One's Are Taken
1988, ,
Country
Johnnie Taylor
In Control
1988, ,
Soul
Conway Twitty
Goodbye Time
1988, ,
Country/Honky Tonk
Mickey Gilley
Chasing Rainbows
1988, ,
Country
Conway Twitty
Still In Your Dreams
1988, Vinyl, ,
Country
Mickey Gilley
She Reminded Me Of You
1988, ,
Country
Denise LaSalle
Hittin Where It Hurts
1988, CD, ,
Soul
Johnnie Taylor
If I Lose Your Love
1987, 7", Styrene, Malaco Records
Webb Wilder And The Beatnecks
It Came From Nashville
1987, ,
Country Rock/Rock & Roll
Anita Ward
The Anita Ward Album
1987, ,
Soul/Disco
Bobby Bland
Blues You Can Use
1987, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes
Going Back With The Lord
1987
Barbara Mandrell
Sure Feels Good
1987
Little Milton
Movin' To The Country
1987, ,
Chicago Blues
Barbara Mandrell
Sure Feels Good
1987, ,
Country
Bobby Blue Bland*
First Class Blues
1987,
Minnesota Fats
The Sultan Of Stroke
1986, LP, Karl-Lorimar Audio
Denise LaSalle
Rain & Fire
1986, ,
Soul
Z.Z. Hill
Greatest Hits
1986, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Bobby Bland
After All
1986
Johnnie Taylor
Lover Boy
1986, ,
Soul
Little Milton
Annie Mae's Cafe
1986, ,
Soul
Latimore
Every Way But Wrong
1986
Latimore
Good Time Man
1985, LP, Album, Malaco Records, ,
Soul/Disco
Johnnie Taylor
Wall To Wall
1985, ,
Soul
Bobby Bland
Members Only
1985, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Z.Z. Hill
In Memorium 1935-1984
1985, ,
Rhythm & Blues
Denise LaSalle
My Toot Toot
1985, ,
Synth-pop/Disco/Soul
Chance
To Be Lovers
1985
Various
I Got U
1984, LP, Promo, BBC Radioplay Music,
The Nashville Hitpickers
Modern Western Style Square Dancing Volume 1
1984
Johnnie Taylor
This Is Your Night
1984, ,
Soul
Michael Robinson
Don't Girls Get Lonely / Main Street
1984, Vinyl,
Little Milton
Playing For Keeps
1984, ,
Modern Electric Blues
C.L. Blast
C.L. Blast
1984, ,
Soul
Z.Z. Hill
Bluesmaster
1984, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Denise LaSalle
Right Place, Right Time
1984, ,
Soul
H McMillan*
Just H
1983, LP, Songworks Records, Songworks Records, Songworks Records
G.C. Cameron
Give Me Your Love
1983
Denise LaSalle
A Lady In The Street
1983, Vinyl, ,
Soul
Glenn Shorrock
Don't Girls Get Lonely
1983
Z.Z. Hill
I'm A Blues Man
1983, Vinyl Pitman Pressing, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Glenn Shorrock
Villain Of The Peace
1983, ,
Pop Rock
Kenny Starr
Kenny Starr
1982, LP, SRO Records
Z.Z. Hill
The Rhythm & The Blues
1982, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
Power
Power
1982, ,
Soul/Funk
Z.Z. Hill
Down Home
1982
Latimore
Singing In The Key Of Love
1982
Dorothy Moore
At Her Very Best
1981, LP, Comp, RCA International, ,
Soul
Tommy Tate
Tommy Tate
1981, ,
Soul
Kristina Karali*
Never Stop
1981, Vinyl, ,
Disco/Funk
Z.Z. Hill
Z.Z. Hill
1981
Peggy Scott
Great Scott
1980, ,
Soul/Disco
C.L. Blast
I Wanna Get Down
1980, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Fred Knobloch = フレッド・ノブロック*
Why Not Me = ホワイ・ノット・ミー
1980, ,
Alternative Rock/Pop Rock/AOR
Fern Kinney
Together We Are Beautiful
1980
Mary Burns
Mary Burns
1980,
Anita Ward
Songs Of Love
1979, ,
Soul/Disco
Anita Ward
Sweet Surrender
1979
Amber (16) And The Deep South Dance Band*
Love Attack
1979
The Controllers
Next In Line
1979
Natural High
Natural High 1
1979, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Tommy Tate
Hold On
1979
Will Beeley*
Passing Dream
1979
Irma Thomas
Safe With Me
1979
James Bradley
James Bradley
1979, ,
Disco/Soul
Dorothy Moore
Once Moore With Feeling
1978, ,
Soul
The Controllers
Fill Your Life With Love
1978, ,
Soul
McKinley Mitchell
McKinley Mitchell
1978, ,
Soul
Frederick Knight
Let The Sunshine In
1978
King Floyd
Body English
1977, LP, Album, Chimneyville Records, ,
Soul
Dorothy Moore
Dorothy Moore
1977, ,
Soul/Disco
Frederick Knight
Knight Kap
1977, Vinyl, ,
Disco
Paul Davis
Singer Of Songs - Teller Of Tales
1977
Dorothy Moore
Let The Music Play / Make It Soon
1977, ,
Disco
Soul Children
Where Is Your Woman Tonight?
1977, ,
Soul
The Controllers
In Control
1977, Vinyl, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Various
Disco Soul
1976, LP, Comp, RCA International (Camden), ,
Soul/Disco
Eddie Floyd
Chi-Town Hussler
1976
The Surprise Sisters
The Surprise Sisters
1976, ,
Soul
Dorothy Moore
Misty Blue
1976, ,
Soul
Marlena Shaw
Just A Matter Of Time
1976, Vinyl, ,
Soul
Miki Honeycutt
Make Up For Lost Time / Sugar Coated Words
1976, ,
Soul
Ted Taylor
Ted Taylor 1976
1976, Vinyl, ,
Soul
Fuzzy Buffer
Copesetic
1975, LP, Album, Hegman - Wright Publishing
King Floyd
Well Done
1975, ,
Soul
The M.G.'s
Neckbone / Breezy
1974
Paul Simon
There Goes Rhymin' Simon
1973, ,
Folk Rock/Pop Rock
William Bell
Relating
1973, ,
Electric Blues/Soul
The MG's*
The MG's
1973, Vinyl, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
The M.G.'s
Sugarcane / Blackside
1973, ,
Funk/Jazz-Funk
Sarah & Friends
Sarah
1972, ,
Country Rock/Classic Rock/Folk Rock
Ben Atkins*
Patchouli
1971, Vinyl Sonic Press, Gatefold, ,
Folk Rock
Eric Mercury
Funky Sounds Nurtured In The Fertile Soil Of Memphis That Smell Of Rock
1971
The Staple Singers
The Staple Swingers
1971, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
James Carr
Hold On
1971, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul
The Systems
Where Did I Go / How High Is High
1969, 7", Single, Channel "1" Records
Papa George Lightfoot*
Natchez Trace
1969, ,
Harmonica Blues
The Imperial Show Band Featuring Tommy Tate
The Whole World Is The Same
1968,
The Blues Busters
Inspired To Love You / I Can't Stop
1968, ,
Soul
Tim Whitsett
Mash-Ville / Sweet Jelly
1962, 7", Single, RIM (3)
Tim Whitsett And The Imperials*
Cotton Chopper
1962, 7", Ace Records (3), ,
Rhythm & Blues
Bucky Lindsey
Back Bay Blues
CD, Gulftone Records
Dewayne Spaw
Old Road Scholar
7", Single, One Way Records (13)
Deep South Dance Band
Don't It Make You Feel Good / Before The Feeling's Gone
7", IPM (4)
Ben Marney
Wine, Women & ... Song
LP, Album, Southern Biscuit Records, ,
Country
Z.Z. Hill
The Best of Z Z Hill
CD, Comp, Malaco Records,
Buckeye
Buckeye
LP, Album, NSD
Cynthia Schloss
Laugh It Off
7", Merritone (2)
Kenny Starr
Cry Your Eyes Out Girl / Hard Times
7", Single, SRO Records
The Mar-Keys
Memphis Experience
Little Milton
Too Much Pain…
Cynthia Schloss
Laugh It Off
Various
Country Goes Raffi
CD, ,
Country
Various
Blues - Gold
2x CD, ,
Electric Blues/Chicago Blues/Modern Electric Blues/Harmonica Blues
Anita Ward
Songs Of Love
2021, CD, ,
Soul/Disco
Anita Ward
Sweet Surrender
2021, ,
Disco
Natural High
Natural High 1
2015, ,
Soul/Funk/Disco
Tony Joe White
Hoodoo
2013, ,
Delta Blues
Tony Joe White
Uncovered
2006
Solomon Burke
Don't Give Up On Me
2002, ,
Soul
Tony Joe White
One Hot July
1999, CD, ,
Blues Rock
Tony Joe White
Live In Europe 1971
1998, ,
Electric Blues
Fern Kinney
Groove Me / Baby Let Me Kiss You
1979, 12", Unofficial, T.K. Disco (2)