Song of the Mountains: Carlene Carter

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Carlene Carter, daughter of country music legends June Carter and Carl Smith, stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, and granddaughter of “Mother” Maybelle Carter of the original Carter Family.

Looking back on her own musical history, Carlene remembers, “I started my career singing with The Carter Family at 17. My first album came out in 1978.” Recorded in England with rock band Graham Parker & the Rumour, that self-titled debut was named “Tops in Pops” by Time magazine, while Newsweek called Carlene “a stunning newcomer.” At the album’s release party in L.A., Dolly Parton whispered in her ear, “Keep on smiling, no matter what!” Advice, Carlene says, that has served her well. When Maybelle Carter died later that fall, Chet Flippo wrote in Rolling Stone that she “lived to see her granddaughter Carlene merge Nashville with contemporary rock and roll.”