From 1998 to 2003, Daly was a VJ on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL),[2] and a DJ for the Southern California-based radio station 106.7 KROQ-FM.

[4] The program airs on Saturday and Sunday mornings in a 3–4 hour edition on CHR/hot AC radio stations.

[8] His father died from bladder cancer when Carson was a child, and his mother married Richard Caruso (1932–2017).

He attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles but dropped out to pursue a pro golf career.

[1] He is of Irish descent[10] and has worked with Guinness on local "Proposition 3–17" to make Saint Patrick's Day an official holiday.

[11] He began his radio career at College of the Desert and as an intern at the former KCMJ FM (now KKUU) under the name "Kid Carson".

[15] Daly's role as host of the popular live program included introducing the top 10 videos of the day and interviewing celebrity guests.

Daly's duties as host included watching blind auditions alongside contestant's family members.

[26] In March 2000, Tara Reid met Daly on the set of Total Request Live, and they began dating.