Mick Carr was born in Glasgow of Irish parents; his Dad was from Fanad, Donegal and his Mum from the Creggan in Derry.

At the age of 12, Mick started taking guitar and whistle lessons at his local youth club then started playing with the youth group at Sunday mass. They went on to play at gigs throughout the west of Scotland, and made a recording as well.

In 1991, Mick left home for Boston where he played with the Donegal Cords until 2006. During that time they played on live radio WRKO and appeared on Boston TV's "Ireland on the Move" and played back up for bands such as Bagatelle and the Dublin City Ramblers.