Being a weeklie podcaste from Madison, Wisconsin featuring several remarkable curiosities therein occurring being a compendium of live music from divers artistes
Show #40: Carter Family (Mini)
January 10th, 2006
Continuing with this week’s series of mini-shows of American folk music, I present the Carter Family. The Carter Family (Sara, Maybelle, and A.P.) got their start in 1927 and recorded until 1943. They are credited with pioneering country music and earned the moniker “The First Family of Country Music”. Joan Baez, amongst others, sang their songs during the folk music revival of the 1960s. 1990 saw alt-country pioneers, Uncle Tupelo, record the Carter Family song, “No Depression in Heaven” and name their first album No Depression. In June of 1931, the Carters did a recording session with fellow country music legend, Jimmie Rodgers, the Blue Yodeler. (His “Blue Yodel #8″ was famously turned into “Mule Skinner Blues” by a couple folks from right here in Madison – The Fendermen.)
And this brings me nicely to today’s show. According to my sources, these two songs were recorded at the very first Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival held on 26 May 1953 when the Carters reunited for the occasion. My source also says that this was the last time that A.P., Sara, and Maybelle performed together. So, if true, it’s quite an historic recording.
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Wow, amazing piece of audio. I’m doing research about the Carters and would love to talk with you about this sample!
I’m happy to share with you any info I have on this recording, which isn’t much. As soon as I have access to the notes, I’ll post them.
Here’s all I have:
The Carter Family
??/??/1953
Jimmy Rodgers Memorial Show
Meridian, MS
Source: unknown radio broadcast
This recording is only about 7 minutes long. It is supposedly the last time the original Carter Family performed together.
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08/07/2003 – EAC>SHN, Seeded by Ryan Baker
If I’m not mistaken, the emcee that introduces the Carter Family is Brother Bill Guild, thier old announcer on XERA in Texas
Anon – thanks for that bit of info.