Goree Chester Carter was an American singer, guitarist, drummer, and songwriter. He started playing blues at age 12, teaching himself guitar. In 1949, Carter signed with Freedom Records and released the debut single "Sweet Ole Woman Blues" with Goree Carter and His Hepcats. He recorded his best known single "Rock Awhile" (1949), cited as a contender for the "first rock and roll record." He recorded for several labels until 1954. Posthumously, his work gained recognition with the compilation album Rock Awhile (1983).