Entertainment Industry Insider

The legendary Bill Carlton known on the road as “The Gunslinger”, has spent the last thirty five years in the entertainment business working in as many different industry positions as there are definitions of them. Carlton has been a confidant, advisor, babysitter, and disciplinarian to artists and industry professionals worldwide through out his career.

Carlton’s professional music career started in the mid seventies with successful stint at a large Minneapolis booking and management company. In 1978 Carlton moved to New York City to tour manage the late Johnny Thunders of New York Dolls fame. At that time he also started managing ex-Television guitarist Richard Lloyd as well as tour managing other artists.

From 1984 until 1988 Bill relocated to Nashville where he booked and managed Cantrells, The Cannery, and Music Row Showcase, all of which are legendary live concert venues. At that time he was also involved with artist management and development, signing acts and consulting with major labels. His stay in Nashville also included a stint on the Guns & Roses “Appetite for Destruction” tour (he is quickly featured in the bands Paradise City video).

From 1988 to 1993 Bill served time with The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in varying capacities. This gave him a valuable insight to the publishing, royalty, and songwriting end of the business. He also handled day to day management for blues artist Mighty Joe Young prior to his death.

In 1993, Carlton moved to Los Angeles and started BCA Worldwide. He did major worldwide tours, corporate events, and hundreds of other shows over the next five years.

In 1998, Carlton worked with Power Plant Entertainment, co-managing British act Soul II Soul. In addition, Bill was asked to manage and book The Mint, Hollywood’s oldest live music venue. At this time he was also working with BookingEntertainment.com, doing freelance production management for artists from Lionel Richie to Donna Summer, Eminem to Bon Jovi. Carlton also did a run touring Japan as tour/production manager for The Legendary Blues Carnival tour featuring Otis Rush and Hubert Sumlin.

2002 and 2003 also found Carlton touring with “Ozzfest” as a tour and production manager for Adema, as well as taking on the same responsibilities for John Cale on his 40 date European tour.

Starting in 2003, Carlton relocated to Booking Entertainment’s NYC office where he is in charge of production and the design of live events as well as buying talent for promoters worldwide. Bill also consults the company on a wide area of industry concerns and business development.