The Carter Family was a country music group that performed and recorded between 1927 and 1943. Their music had a profound impact on later bluegrass, country, pop and rock musicians, as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s. The original group consisted of Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter (A.P.; 1891-1960... Dale Jett's Grandfather), his wife, Sara Dougherty Carter (autoharp and guitar; 1898-1979), and Maybelle Addington Carter (guitar; 1909-1978). Maybelle was married to A.P.'s brother Ezra (Eck) Carter. All three were born and raised in southwestern Virginia where they were immersed in the tight harmonies of mountain gospel music and shape note singing. Maybelle's distinctive and innovative guitar playing style quickly became a hallmark of the group.

The Carters got their start on July 31, 1927 when A.P. convinced Sara and Maybelle (pregnant at the time) to make the journey from Maces Springs, Virginia to Bristol, Tennessee to audition for record producer Ralph Peer who was seeking new talent for the relatively embryonic recording industry. They received $50 for each song they recorded.

In the Fall of 1927 the Victor recording company released a double-sided 78 rpm record of the group performing "Wandering Boy" and "Poor Orphan Child". In 1928 another record was released with "The Storms Are on the Ocean" and "Single Girl, Married Girl". This one proved very popular.

John Carter Cash has been in music in some form or fashion all his life. He is a singer-song writer and record producer. He is the grandchild of Maybelle Carter and the only son to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. He is a caretaker of the heritage of his musical ancestors and preserves family tradition by carrying on their music. He still enjoys spending time in southwestern Virginia at the home which he inherited from his Carter grandparents. He still sings the songs of his family, just like his mother and her sisters before him. The Carter Family songs are deep within his spirit and heart.

Corvallis, Oregon native, and daughter of Pat and Sharen Weber, Laura Weber began to play music at the age of 9. Her dad had a nice old fiddle that he sent to have restored for her. Without the financial means to do this, but with carpentry as his trade, he built a two story deck on the back of the violin makers house in trade for his restoration work. That marked the beginning of a long musical journey for Laura. She developed a deep love for the fiddle. "My family endured traveling together every summer to many fiddle contests all over the country."

Singer and musician, Dale Jett is a native of Southwest Virginia and third generation member of the legendary Carter Family. The son of Janette Carter, the grandson of A.P.and Sara Carter, his roots have been heavily steeped within the heart of his family's musical heritage. Growing up within the Carter Family, Dale has been influenced by many musicians and styles of music. He began playing guitar in his late teens when Elizabeth Cotten taught him his first chords - left handed, upside down. Later, he added his own style of Autoharp playing to his repertoire. But, it is ultimately his voice that arrests you. It is powerful and compelling, yet at the same time, delicate and haunting.

Like his grandfather, A.P. Carter, Dale is a "collector" of songs. His dedication to the preservation of traditional music, and his admiration of other songwriters are evident in his regular performances at The Carter Fold and other musical engagements. His choices are eclectic; his performances and recordings encompass a unique combination of traditional songs blended with a mix of others that extend the boundaries of conventional country. Whether playing an original tune, or that of others, his music will ring true to the soul.

Larry Perkins joins the Carter Family Celebration at the Evening Program. Larry is a sought after Nashville session musician and has appeared on 4 Grammy Award winning projects including Johnny Cash's "Solitary Man" and the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. Lately Larry has been writing with John Carter Cash and Chuck Turner for the enigmatic and reclusive supergroup "The Recording Kings" new project. Larry has also recorded with Emmylou Harris and recently appeared on Loretta Lynn's angelic version of "Keep on the Sunny Side" for the new album Anchored In Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash produced by John Carter Cash.

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