Carlton County Breakdown is one of the most widely played tunes in the western half of the Island. It lends itself both to the straightforward, rapid-fire treatment of "Maritime" players such as Gary Chipman, Peter Doiron, and Keelan Wedge, and to the highly syncopated treatments of West Prince stylists such as Victor Doucette, David Gaudet, and Dennis Pitre.
Composer Mitton was a major figure in 20th century New Brunswick fiddling. He played regularly on New Brunswick radio stations CFNB and CHOV, and he also appeared on CBC's Maritime Farmer's Show. He occasionally substituted for Don Messer on the latter's nationally broadcast radio show (CFCY, Charlottetown). Mitton had his own show for a while on New Brunswick television (CHSJ-TV, Saint John), and he appeared as a guest artist several times on the CBC television show, Don Messer Jubilee. He also recorded a number of LPs for Quality Records, including Down East Fiddling and Fiddlin' for Fun.
Notation for this tune as played by Leonard McDonald is in Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island.