"We toured for many years together, making great music and having some great times. I have missed his presence, musically and personally. His style was minimal and melodic, but first and foremost it swung . . . and when we were playing live, his commitment was phenomenal, and it was as if I didn’t hear him in my head, but felt what he was doing in my soul . . . it was like being carried along on a wave of rhythm . . .
He has always been with me (in spirit), and always will be."

"I first met Carl when he was with Gary Lewis & The Playboys. I had just started doing studio gigs and was often called to sit in with artists that came to town promoting their new radio hit. Back then radio stations would throw dances where the visiting artists could showcase and promote their songs. I remember that Carl had the greatest bass sound out of all the bass players that had ever played those shows. I think at the time I was backing up Neil Diamond or Chuck Berry. The next time I saw Carl was during the “Layla” sessions at Criteria Studios. At first I didn’t make the connection that he was the guy from Gary Lewis’ band as we were both older and looked quite different. He had evolved his playing to the point that it would fit so well in a song it would create an emotional feel instead of being a collection of notes. It wasn’t all that long before I had the honor of being in Eric’s band with him. From those years there are numerous wonderful stories to be told about Carl. Perhaps someday we can have an Eric Clapton Band reunion and share them together. Thank you, Carl, for giving us all a note to stand on . . ."

"When Carl first joined Gary Lewis and the Playboys, I was only 19, and very inexperienced in the music business. It wasn't until the 70's that I realized what a good bass player Carl was. Not just good, but tasteful in his choices of what to play, and what not to play. He also helped me look at my craft as a business and not always fun and games. He was pretty much a quiet guy until he had something to say. And then he said it with conviction and intelligence. Carl helped me to grow up, musically and personally. He was a good hearted guy."

"I was first introduced to Carl by either Leon Russell (Russell Bridges back then) or Jimmy Karstein in ' 62. Carl and I had a four-nighter in Eagle Rock (California) at a beer bar with a sax player by the name of Chuck Higgins. It paid 15 bucks a night. As all gigs do, it ended, and the next thing I recall was someone told me Carl had a job in a bank in Dallas. I recall thinking, WHAT?!

Well thank God he quit and went back to music. The day I found out he was joining us in Leon’s' band ranks right up there among the happiest days of my life.

The thing I remember most about Carl was how encouraging he was to me. He was the perfect bass player."

"When I first learned of Carl's passing, I was shocked! Carl was always the one in control, the one with the wisdom and the knowledge. He was my mentor and my friend.

I came to Tulsa in 1973 and worked with Jamie Oldaker and Dick Sims in our own band and Carl used to come and hear us play and sat in with us all the time. When Eric (Clapton) told Carl he was looking to tour and do a new record, Carl suggested us. I felt as if Carl took me under his wing. He trusted all of us implicitly with our musical sensibilities; and we were never made to feel beneath him. We were treated as equals from day one, as family.

Carl's bass playing was indicative of him as a person as well: he was solid as a rock!! You could always depend on him. You always knew that you could rely on him for that bedrock of bass he gave. And he always gave a million percent; his timing, his tone, his feel, were flawless and incredibly tasteful. It was always an honor to be in his company both professionally and personally. I considered him a friend and I treasure the time we spent together. He is sorely missed.

With Love, Admiration and Respect,"

"Carl was a really fine bass player.  When I play the bass parts on my songs, I’m just trying to sound like Carl."

Carl and I took different paths for a while when I moved to California and lived and worked with Leon Russell for some time.  Later on, we needed a bass player, so Carl joined us.  Thus started Carl’s and my long association in California that included working with Leon, Donnie Brooks, playing the Nevada circuit and joining up with Gary Lewis & the Playboys, until about 1968.   

Recording and touring with Delaney & Bonnie (Bramlett) was Carl’s and my last great musical hurrah working together.  From there Carl went on to many years with Eric Clapton and I started working for J. J. Cale.  But up to that time I had spent more time on and off stage with Carl than anyone else in my life.  We always shared apartments and roomed together on the road.  We did things together:  ate meals together, saw movies together, stayed up late and listened to music together.  Carl was truly one of the best buddies I ever had. 

I still miss Carl.  His smile, his laughter, his true friendship and that wonderful bass playing that I grew so dependent upon for so many years. "