He started playing fiddle at age 16 after hearing Del McCoury for the first time.

[2] He has been named the International Bluegrass Music Association fiddle player of the year six times ('97, '98, '03, '13, '14, '23).

[3] Over the years Carter has recorded with and performed with a number of musicians including Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, Dierks Bentley, Mac Wiseman, John Prine, The Osborne Brothers, June Carter, Marty Stuart, Lonesome River Band, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, Ralph Stanley, Gibson Brothers (bluegrass duo), Sierra Hull, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas and Bela Fleck.

He recently married Bronwyn Keith-Hynes at a ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

In addition to his work with the Del McCoury Band, Carter has released two solo albums, 1997's On The Move and 2022's Lowdown Hoedown.