Red Ca0.99Al(1-4δ/3-x)Si(1+δ+x)N(3-x)C(x):Eu(2+)0.01 (δ = 0.345; x = 0-0.2) nitride phosphors exhibit a blue-shifted emission with increased eye sensitivity function and excellent thermal stability. The variations in the photoluminescence in the Ca0.99Al(1-4δ/3-x)Si(1+δ+x)N(3-x)C(x):Eu(2+)0.01 (δ = 0.345; x = 0-0.2) system are thoroughly investigated. The enhanced emission energy and the improved thermal stability with increasing x are dominated by the second-sphere shrinkage effect via the substitution of small Si(4+) for large Al(3+) with simultaneous charge compensation. Related proofs of the second-sphere shrinkage effect control for photoluminescence are confirmed via high-resolution neutron powder diffraction, EXAFS, and (29)Si solid-state NMR techniques.