Carter Musical Family

The Carter Family of Scott County, the "First Family of Country Music," consisted of Alvin Pleasant "A. P." Carter (1891-1960) who sang and composed; Sara E. Dougherty Carter (1898-1979), who sang lead and played the guitar and autoharp; and Maybelle Addington Carter (1909-1978) who sang and played the guitar and autoharp. After their first recording session in Bristol for the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1927, the trio enjoyed tremendous popularity, appearing on the radio, and recording more than 250 songs until 1943. The Carter Family incorporated unique harmony vocals into traditional tunes and original material. A. P. and Sara Carter are buried in Maces Springs, Va., near Hiltons. Maybelle Carter is buried in Hendersonville, Tenn.