The Carter Family
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Biography
One of the most important musical groups of the 20th century, The Carter Family â who have been nicknamed âthe first family of Country Musicâ - influenced generations of folk, country, bluegrass, gospel, rock, and pop artists. Founded in Maces Spring, Virginia in 1927 by vocalist / guitarist A.P. Carter, his wife Sara Carter (vocals and guitar / autoharp), and his sister Maybelle Carter (lead guitar and vocals), the Carter Familyâs Southern folk and gospel inspired style became the blueprint for country music. Many of their recordings have become country and folk classics including âBury Me Under the Weeping Willowâ (1927), âKeep on the Sunny Sideâ (1978), âWildwood Flowerâ (1929), âWorried Man Bluesâ (1930), âWabash Cannonballâ (1932), âCan the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)â (1935) and many others. The Carter Family expanded their line-up for live and radio performances in the late 1930s. These later members included the offspring of the three original members: Janette Carter, Helen Carter, Anita Carter, Joe Carter, and June Carter, who would later marry country music icon Johnny Cash. However, this second-generation Carter Family split up in 1944 after A.P. and Sara were divorced. Members of the group continued to perform under variations on the Carter Family name including The Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle and The A.P. Carter Family. After the death of A.P. Carter in 1960, Maybelle and her daughters began performing as The Carter Family. Sara and Maybelle reunited and recorded several albums together. Later generations of Carters â including John Carter Cash, Carlene Carter, and Dale Jett â have revived the family name on occasion over the years. The Carter Familyâs recorded legacy has reached far beyond their humble roots and has influenced generations of musicians. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Bandâs 1972 opus Will the Circle Be Unbroken was an homage and tribute to The Carter Familyâs influence on music. The group was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1970), the Grammy Hall of Fame (1988), and the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame (2001). Theyâve been honored with a postage stamp by the U.S. Postal Service and were given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
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Albums
The Carter Family
The Best of the Carter Family 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection
FEATURED
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Keep On The Sunny Side
- Where We'll Never Grow Old
- Can the Circle Be Unbroken
- I Ain't Goin' to Work Tomorrow
- Wildwood Flower by Johnny Cash
- A Song To Mama
- On The Jericho Road by Merle Haggard
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Johnny Cash
- Hello Stranger
- Lonesome Valley
- Oh Take Me Back
- Black Jack David
- Dixie Darling
- King of Love featuring The Carter Family
- Don't Forget This Song
- The East Virginia Blues
- God's Gonna Trouble The Waters
- Dying Soldier by The Kingston Trio
- Engine 143
- Engine One-Forty-Three
- Theme Old Lady's Home
- Charlie Brooks
- Faded Coat of Blue
- Closing Medley: Folsom Prison Blues/I Walk The Line/Ring Of Fire/The Rebel - Johnny Yuma featuring The Carter Family
