Gary, Indiana's Calvin Carter

February 19, 2023

This week on Cultural Manifesto we'll celebrate Black History Month by looking back at the work of Calvin Carter, an unsung figure in Indiana music,

Carter was born in Gary, Indiana on May 27 of 1925. He's best known for his work with Vee-Jay Records, a label founded in Gary, Indiana in 1953 by his sister Vivian Carter. Carter worked as a songwriter, producer, arranger, and A&R manager for the label. 

We’ll focus on Carter’s work as a songwriter.  Carter wrote, or co-wrote many classic rock and R&B hits - including The Spaniels' "Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite", and Jerry Butler's "He Will Break Your Heart". Over the years, Carter’s songs have been performed by a wide range of artists, from Dolly Parton, to Aerosmith.