A native of The Woodlands,[4] Texas, his style of roots-oriented songwriting has been noted for its plainspoken poetry and sarcastic humor.

After releasing his debut album, Flowers & Liquor, in 2002, Carll was voted Best New Act by the Houston Press.

[5] Since then he's been compared to other Texas songwriters, including Townes Van Zandt, who he said "ruined me and saved me at the same time.

Carll signed with Lost Highway records in 2006 and released his next album, Trouble in Mind, in 2008.

[7] "She Left Me For Jesus," which appeared on Trouble in Mind, was the Americana Music Association Song of the Year 2008.

He re-recorded many of his songs, including duets with Ray Wylie Hubbard and his wife, Allison Moorer, for 2020's Alone Together Sessions.