TV arrived at a formative moment (previously banned as an "Instrument of the Devil"), and classical studies quickly gave way to obsessing over beer jingles. Then came AM radio, and his brother's patience coaxing Deep Purple through the static. A cello cannot make those sounds, no matter how hard you try — though Carl tried. The breakthrough came from a delinquent kid in guitar class who knew bar chords. Even on nylon strings: revelation.

A move to Minnesota meant a job, an electric guitar, effect pedals, and inevitably, a band rehearsing under his mother's dining room floor during dinner. The band eventually moved into a big Minneapolis house and made a record. When Carl found himself telling the engineer what to do, he realized he should just have his own studio.

Arrogant and capable, Carl is still in Minneapolis — making noise, and doing commercials rather well.