As a young boy, he organized concerts in his backyard for the neighborhood. He was a featured soloist on The Other 98 Christmas Show singing “The First Noel” (accompanied by his brother, Edward Rath, on piano) and broadcast on local TV (Channel 10) in Milwaukee (WI). He was often chosen to sing solos in concerts and in talent concerts in school and in church programs.

Carl’s life was forever changed on February 9, 1964. Having already begun learning to play trumpet and then bassoon, he was one of 73 million people who watched The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show! His father was a professional drummer and mother an amateur keyboard player. Carl’s interest in music was divided for many years between the study of bassoon and drums. Puberty and time defined Carl’s serious study of music as he concentrated on bassoon and percussion, leaving the world of R/R drumming behind, but remaining true to The Beatles phenomenon.

In 1990, he was asked to present a colloquium on the Music of the 60’s by the University of Oklahoma Honors Program. The class—developed with colleague and friend Eldon Matlick—developed into a regular course, The Development of Popular Music, 1954-1979, taught by Carl that continues to be a popular elective through the OU Honors College. In 1995, he began his even more popular Honor College course, The Beatles: Four Lads Who Shook the World.

In 1990, he and colleagues Eldon Matlick and Ken Stephenson, formed a rock band, ultimately called MidLife Crysis! The band has become a favorite of fans in the Oklahoma City area. Billed as “The World’s Most Educated Rock Band,” membership has included 4 musicians with doctorate degrees in music, 5 with masters degree in music, and 3 with master degrees in other areas. The current membership has been together for 4 years and includes Steve Balduff and James Davis on guitars (both work at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK), Eldon Matlick (bass), and Carl on drums. They have a eclectic repertoire concentrating on music from the 50s – 70s!

Carl resigned from MidLife Crysis in July, 2008.

Carl has been hosting the annual Beatles Trivia Contest at Barnes & Noble for the past 8 years. Since 2001, Carl has been sharing his passion for The Beatles, popular music, and the 60s to people from 5 – 75 years of age! Carl will be adding a new topic in 2006-2007, The Beatles in Rishikesh: a photographic journey, outlining the experiences of author/filmmaker Paul Saltzman.

If interested in having Carl present this topic at your organization, school, or club, please contact him at 405-325-4181.

For information about the OU Speakers Service, please contact Sonya Fallgatter at 405-325-6789 or on the web at OU Speaker Service.

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