The Drop: Carlene Carter

Sponsored by Amoeba MusicJoin us as we celebrate the release of Carter Girl, Carlene Carter’s first album of new recordings this decade.  Set for a release on April 8, the album was produced by Don Was, mixed by Bob Clearmountain and is, in a very literal way, Carlene’s personal homage to her Carter Family roots and to the ethos that has been the foundation of much of America’s music for almost 90 years.  As the daughter of June Carter Cash and country music great Carl Smith, the granddaughter of Mother Maybelle Carter and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, Carlene says it has been her lifelong goal to make this record.  The album revisits both classic Carter Family repertoire as well as original songs that relate to Carlene’s connection with her musical and familial roots. Willie Nelson guests on “Troublesome Waters” and Kris Kristofferson joins Carlene on “Black Jack David” while the unmistakable voice of Vince Gill is heard harmonizing on “Lonesome Valley 2003.”  “Blackie’s Gunman” is a duet with Elizabeth Cook, whom Carlene calls her “adopted sister.” Cook is heard on six of the album’s twelve tracks. The participation of Lorrie Carter Bennett, daughter of Anita Carter, as well as Joe Breen, Carlene’s husband, underscores the continuing Carter Family connective tissue that the album celebrates.  Hosted by Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Scott Goldman, Carlene will discuss her musical upbringing and how it affected the making of the new album.  After the discussion, Carlene will perform.