jesse

The Universe’s Best Guitarman: The Story of Jesse Carlton 

Fayetteville’s own Jesse Carlton was born on McDonald Road in 1950 to Clarence Carlton and Annie Brooks. He grew up in the historical Sugar Hill neighborhood, the site of the first government-built African American school. At age 12, Jesse’s father bought him his first small acoustic guitar. Two years later, he took it next door to his best friend’s house, where Joseph Stinchcomb’s older brother tuned the guitar to "Vastopol" (open tuning) for him. Without any formal training, Joseph and Jesse figured out how to pull music out of that guitar.j

Soon after, they started a band called Little William and the Senders. The original members—Jesse Carlton, Joseph Stinchcomb, William Arnold, and James Brooks (from Inman, GA)—all hailed from the Sugar Hill neighborhood. They played barbecues, house parties, and proms. Jesse’s older brother, Claude Carlton, became their manager, financing their equipment and driving them in a ’55 Ford station wagon with the band’s name painted on the doors.

After high school in 1967, Jesse and Joseph formed Demolition Crew. They became staples in the Atlanta music scene, playing for City of Atlanta Cultural Affairs and WRFG Radio. Over the years, the band grew to include members like Calvin Hand, Billy Stinchcomb, Clarence Anderson, Willie Carle Porter, and Carla Thomas.

Jesse and Joe eventually moved north 36 miles from New York to Dover, New Jersey, playing Rock and Roll with graduates from Juilliard and Berklee. During this time, Jesse enrolled in a jazz program in Harlem at 127th and Lexington Ave in New York City. In the early 70s, they returned to Georgia and formed High Tension Experience, becoming full-time musicians. They toured for months with the United States Air Force, entertaining troops from Texas to Florida to Alaska.

Jesse’s career reached new heights when he played for Grammy Award winner William Bell on the hit song "Trying to Love Two." The song went Gold and topped the charts, leading to shows with legends like Natalie Cole, The Commodores, Kool & The Gang, Teddy Pendergrass, Frankie Beverly & Maze, The Brothers Johnson, Johnnie Taylor, B.B. King, Tyrone Davis, Mother's Finest, The Spinners, Slave, Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Dramatics, and Joe Tex. Even Muhammad Ali came to hear them play!

Jesse proudly notes that while William Bell had a Gold record, it was the Fayetteville boys who helped take him there.

"I want to give thanks to my wife, Kathleen Bailey Carlton, for her courage; as the mother of my three sons—Chantz, Brian, and Jarmar—this never would have happened without her drive. Thanks to everyone who had something to do with this locomotive that is still running! Anything is possible if you believe in it. Keep your head to the sky!"