By Ms. McCallion April 24, 2012
Maybelle Carter was born in Poor Valley, or Maces Springs, Virginia in She was married to Ezra Carter, the brother of her band mate, A.P. Carter of the famous Carter Family. Known affectionately as “Mother Maybelle,” she had three daughters, singer Anita, Helen, and future wife of Johnny Cash, June Carter. Biography and Early Life
At an early age, Maybelle Carter listened to the traditional music of her Appalachian home in Poor Valley. Music was an important part of her family life and she began playing and singing at an early age. Her musical partner, A.P. Carter, was a driving force in getting Maybelle to join the Carter Family and develop her musicianship. Influences
Maybelle Carter developed a new guitar style named “Carter Scratch.” She was discovered along with The Carter Family by Ralph Peer and recorded six songs in 1927 while she was eight months pregnant. Maybelle played guitar, autoharp and sang harmonies. She received royalties for her recordings, including the famous guitar picking song, “Wild Wood Flower.” Acomplishments
Maybelle Carter’s influence on American Roots Music cannot be over-estimated. She developed a new guitar style which has been imitated by guitarists all over the world and is still used today. She is 1/3 of America’s original “first family” of country music. With 270 recordings to their credit, country music today would not be the same without Maybelle and The Carter Family. Impact on American Music
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