In 1995, Karl teamed up with saxophonist, Eddie Williams, a partnership that would prove to have a profound impact. Now playing acoustic guitar, this new creative exploration of improvisation would shape a unique sound later complimented by some of the area's finest musicians, including electric guitarist Curtis Eley, TR3 drummer Dan Martier, jazz professor John Toomey on piano and Scott Slay from Big Virginia Sky on mandolin, to name a few.

Also during these years, a powerful three-part-harmony trio of singer/songwriters, armed with positive lyrics and diverse backgrounds came together as a traveling band known as Elaine, Lambert & Karl. After enjoying immediate success with a debut CD and a tour with friend and mentor Keb' Mo', they settled on an official band name of "BiG WiDE GRiN". BWG is now working on their 4th CD and continues touring as a duo w/ Elaine Dempsey, occasionally teaming up with singer/songwriter/producer and friend Tom Prasada-Rao.

Karl's original songwriting won him first place for online voting ('Monkey Do') and first place in the finals ('Flow') of the Fishman National Songwriting Competition held in Atlanta, GA in 2011. He won VEER Magazine's award for Best Music Video in 2013 with a video of his song 'Love & Fear', and won Best Acoustic/Folk artist in 2016.

Karl had the unique honor of writing the anthem/theme song for NASA's Centennial Celebration, in 2017, and performed it at four separate NASA events, once with the Air Force Heritage Band.

Karl's 3rd solo release is an all original CD, "This Little Notebook", and has been a long time in the making. The project features performances by many of his friends and musical heroes, including Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band), and Chris Gage (Jerry Jeff Walker).