The bullet shattered his vocal cord and caused significant nerve trauma. Carlton managed to recover quickly and completed On Solid Ground by the end of the year. He continued his work with the electric guitar in 1991 when he started to record a blues album, but decided to delay the project to meet demand for a more commercially-oriented jazz offering, which resulted in Kid Gloves. Renegade Gentleman was released in 1993, featuring Nashville, Tennessee harmonica player Terry McMillan on several tracks. From 1994 to 1997 Carlton participated in various tours (most notably with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather) and released an album (Larry & Lee). In 1997, Carlton took Lee Ritenour’s place in Fourplay. Carlton went on to release solo albums and even joined Steely Dan as a guest guitarist for six dates on tour in 2009. Carlton married contemporary Christian music artist Michele Pillar in 1987. He is the father of Katy Carlton and bass player Travis Carlton.