He is best known for his appearances accompanying his son-in-law Doc Watson during the folk music revival of the 1960s.
While not recorded before the folk revival, Carlton had been playing with some of the region's most well-known musicians— such as Al Hopkins, G. B. Grayson, and Clarence Ashley— since the 1920s.
His father was an accomplished local musician, and the family often played at church events and other gatherings.
[1] Carlton played banjo in the clawhammer style similar to Ashley.
His banjo recordings include "Rambling Hobo", which Rinzler described as reminiscent of Carlton's "peaceful, centered nature", and "Old Ruben", which he learned from his brother.