A spiritual awakening transformed Carl “guitar” Watkins from a worldy lifestyle to a career as a gospel Artist…

brought up in north galilee missionary baptist church in st. louis, carl absorbed the sounds of traditional gospel music.

As a small child, while others merely listened to music, Carl was intrigued by the style of writers and producers such as Holland, Dozier, Gamble, Huff, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, focusing on every note played by the musicians in each song. During high school, he learned a number of instruments including drums, guitar, and saxophone.

Carl describes himself first and foremost as a songwriter. Having written hundreds of songs, he formed his own band known locally in the St. Louis area as EMC. He later expanded and began to play the guitar in the blues arena with Joe “Bluesman” Mayfield. Eventually, he joined a local R&B group where he met and teamed up with Dr. Seth Brownridge, a local producer, songwriter, and band manager, and Marvin F. Cockrell, a local jazz artist and producer. Together the team formed several R&B groups which culminated in the recording of their first album Enjoy, performed by the group Style. This four-song album was inspirational R&B music, two of the songs written, arranged, and produced by none other than Carl "Guitar" Watkins. Both songs presented to the world a message of prayer, marriage, love, and trust.

In 2004, Carl's interest shifted to gospel music. He and Seth Brownridge formed a new gospel label, Jirah Records. With the help of very talented people, this label spawned a number of local artists’ careers. Carl's first Gospel album, "Provider," was released in 2009 as a compilation effort with several local gospel artists and was also responsible for the debut of other artists, including Electra Lusk and Randall Richardson. Carl also co-wrote music for Cecelia B. Jones, a local poet. His smooth tracks are featured on her album The Circle of Life which was also released in 2009. Additionally, he has written and played for Marvin F. Cockrell and Focus, Rod Tate and other artists on several bodies of work.

Following God's path for his life, Carl continues to release gospel music, his latest song being “Captured” which has an accompanying music video that is gaining popularity. There is more music to come as God continues to shine His light through this humble vessel of praise.