The Carter Family

"THE FIRST FAMILY OF COUNTRY MUSIC"

 
Was recorded by Ralph Peer with RCA August 1, 1927...some say this is the most influential group
in country music history, and that they switched the emphasis from hillbilly instuumentals to vocals. 

"Carter-picking" became a technique because of their style and it's influence.  Along with Jimmie
Rodgers, the Carter Family were one of the first country music stars.  They had come to the re-
cording scession from their home in Maces Spring, Virginia, near Clinch Mountain.  Before this gig
they had been playing for school parties, barn dances and church socials.  The playing skills of
Sara and Maybelle the Carter Family was invited to play at many events.

Comprised of a gaunt, shy gospel quartet member called Alvin P. Carter and two reserved country
girls-- his wife Sara- and their sister-in-law Maybelle -- the Carter Family sang a pure, simple
harmony that influenced not only the numerous other family groups of the '30s and the '40s, but folk,
bluegrass and rock musicians like Woody Guthrie, Bill Monroe, the Kingston Trio, Doc Watson, Bob
Dylan and Emmylou Harris.  Some say they gave birth to bluegrass music.

After their first recording on RCA with Mr. Peer, it was not long before they were brought in to do
more recordings at the RCA facility in Camden, New Jersey.  In May they recorded eleven songs
and in February 1929 the did twelve more songs, including "Wildwood Flower," "Diamond in the
Rough," and "The Foggy Mountain Top."  Through the 1930s their fame continued to spread and
they began to do many big concerts, country fairs and more recordings.

It's unlikely that bluegrass music would have existed without the Carter Family.  A. P., the family
patriarch, collected hundreds of British/Appalachian folk songs and, in arranging these for recording,
both enhanced the pure beauty of these "facts-of-life tunes" and at the same time saved them for
future generations.  From their first recording scession in 1927 to their last scession in 1941 the
original Carters recorded more than 250 songs.

In 1938, they moved to Del Rio, Texas to broadcast over XERA, XEG, and XENT, Mexican border
stations that broadcast 50,000 watts, which took their music to many across the land.

The Original Carter Family broke up in 1943.  They were elected into the Country Music Hall of
Fame in 1970.  It has been said that "The Carter Family were the epitome of country greatness
and originators of a much copied style."

© 1998-2010 Benford E. Standley. All Rights Reserved.
This can in no way be copied or distributed.

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