Music has been a part of Carlton McKnight’s life since he was a baby, born March 5, 1987. Carlton’s father, a well distinguished local musician, instilled the love of music in Carlton early on. Carlton began singing in the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church’s (located in Seaside, California) youth choir, The Lively Stones, when he was just five years old; but because of his unusually powerful voice, he was leading solos in the Bethel Missionary Mass Choir, which is reserved for adults with higher caliber singing abilities.
By age 6, Carlton was already recording songs. Sing for Christmas is a local project that music lovers from all around the Central Coast look forward to every year because of the amazing talent that is featured on the project. While learning to record songs, Carlton also was learning how to play a variety of musical instruments. While Carlton is able to play the drums, piano and organ, he has a special place in his heart for the keyboard. Learning how to play and sing is difficult enough, but Carlton has mastered this craft beautifully.
While most fourteen- year olds were worrying about what they were going to wear to school, Carlton was preparing musical renditions and arrangements in which to lead the youth choir at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, The Lively Stones, for praise and worship service on Sunday mornings.
Due to his unique vocal abilities and vast array of musical talents, Carlton has been invited to perform at numerous events across the Central Coast. The City of Seaside’s Annual Martin Luther King Day Parade, NAACP Black History Expo, the Big Sur Marathon and youth revivals at churches across the Monterey Bay Peninsula welcomed Carlton with open arms.
During his high school years, Carlton was involved in the Drama Club, the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), Regional Honor Choir, and California Coastal Choir (CCS). Serving as President of the Seaside High School Choir, Carlton also organized his own choir, Youth Community Choir, and was also elected to the NAACP as Counsel President for the Youth Committee. Carlton even organized and hosted a fashion show presented by NCBI during his junior year of high school.
Upon graduating high school, Carlton continued to pursue music. He formed a contemporary-R&B gospel group named Ja Soul which consisted of Carlton, Carl Cardwell, Christina McKinney and Keisha Nugent. Ja Soul preformed at churches and venues all around the Central Coast including but not limited to: Victory Temple, Lighthouse, Seventh Day Adventist and First Presbyterian Church. While serving as Musical Director at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, he was performing at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival, the Monterey Bay Jazz Festival and the Monterey Bay Reggae Festival. All welcomed Carlton whether he was with his group or performing solo. The Gospel Festival, held in San Francisco, also was a platform for Carlton’s vocal abilities.
Elite hotels around the Monterey Bay Area have asked Carlton to lend his talents like the Hyatt Regency, Embassy Suites and Portola Plaza. Carlton can also be found rockin’ the crowds at local hot spots. Baseniros, the Muckey Duck, Jose’s Underground Lounge and the Alternative Café have all hosted Carlton McKnight. He has the capability to relate to many different walks of life and is able to perform virtually any genre of music.
Carlton is continually tapped for special functions like Thrill the World for Michael Jackson, Share your Holiday Telethon- presented by KCBW, Celebrate This, Parents of Murdered Children and functions at the American Legion of the Central Coast.
Currently, Carlton is performing at various venues around the Central Coast and working on original material. He hopes to release an album of works by summertime 2012.