Carl was born in the mining village of Armthorpe in South Yorkshire.  He started playing percussion in school at the age of 7 and joined his local brass band a short time later.  At the age of 15 Carl joined his first championship section band, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery. A number of enjoyable years ensued at Frickley.  Highlights included a Yorkshire area win in 1999 and two Grand Shield victories.  Carl has also played for the Sellers International Band under Philip McCann.  In 2005 Carl was thrilled to be invited to join the best band in the world, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.  He was a member of the band who won the back to back English National Championships 2007 and 2008 and also the Champion Band of Great Britain 2006 and 2007.  The Highlight of his banding career came in 2008 when the band were invited to take part in the BBC prom concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.  Away from banding, Carl is an Internal Sales Manager for a healthcare company in North Yorkshire