He began his career in 1979 as bassist for the band Sinal Verde. At this time, he was invited to form Rebanhão with other musicians from the Copacabana Presbyterian Church. Trained at the Villa-Lobos Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Carlinhos is described as one of those responsible for a revolution that occurred in Brazilian Christian music through Rebanhão. In the band he acted as vocalist with singer Janires, who left to dedicate himself to other projects in 1985. With Janires' departure, Felix became Rebanhão main vocalist, although he shared the role with Pedro Braconnot and Paulo Marotta. He composed several of the group's most well-known tracks, such as "Selo do Perdão", "Luz do Mundo", "Novo Dia", "Grito de Silêncio", among others. In 1991, he began his solo career with the album Things da Vida and recorded the album Pé na Estrada, Rebanhão last with his participation. He left the group in 1991 to dedicate himself exclusively to his solo career.

The singer is also one of the most well-known, respected and highly regarded Christian musicians of his time. His solo career stood out, with greater reach during the 1990s. In the first half of the 90s, the musician recorded high-profile albums, such as Basta Querer (1993) and Ao Vivo (1996), recorded live at his house. Canecão shows. In the following decade, the singer lived outside the country and recorded the album Ao Vivo na Florida. Back in Brazil, he founded a music school in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo.