Mother Maybelle Carter autoharp solo (live 1970)

From the Feb. 25, 1970 episode of "The Johnny Cash Show," Mother Maybelle Carter plays a lovely autoharp solo on "Black Mountain Rag." Cash's love and deep regard for his mother-in-law (the true test of a man!) is evident in his gracious introduction. If you look closely at the beginning, you'll see Norman Blake sitting in with the band.

[@Chyennemarie0813]

My landlord owns the autoharp she plays in this video.. and she used all over the world. got to use to my self.. amazing piece of history if you ask me. beautiful sound to.

[@David-hn7zm]

Wow

[@Per409]

8 year late reply, Maybelle was my grandfather's sister....

[@sketchesforyou8020]

@@Per409 So she was your great-aunt?

[@Per409]

@@sketchesforyou8020 yeah, as a kid i'd grab my bb gun and go down to the creek (Copper Creek) , what 7-10yo wanted to sit around and listen to old folks sing?

[@deanhoward4128]

You are truly blessed to know the owner of this piece of historic music! Your landlord must be related to the Carter family to have Mother Carter's instrument!I admire people who have a God given talent to play any musical instrument! And it takes an extra measure of talent to play an autoharp! And to play such an extraordinary one that! What a blessing it must be!

[@larrygrant-hy8sk]

My 5th grade teacher was so wonderful. She had enough of these autoharps for the entire class to play as a way to start the day....every day.

[@Nrc3neallyo]

I had a Mrs. Sutton in Pinellas County, FL that, on music day, would bust into the classroom like the Koolaid Man, with a loud strike-up of 'Youre a Grand Ole Flag'. She sang and jammed in its entirety. Sweet bee hive haired lady.

[@davidstokar887]

Amazing

[@HungryH1951]

@@Nrc3neallyo Pretty cool. I only had my kindergarten teacher Ms. Mitchner who got out the auto harp and broke into Itsy Bitsy Spider or Three Blind Mice. But is was cool too, in it's own way.

[@christianlicheclarken2479]

Best quote ever: "Cash's love and deep regard for his mother-in-law (the true test of a man!)"

[@Hawkdoc]

I don't know why this ended up on my recommended list. She's an amazing musician.

[@walksthesehills]

Just because " She's an amazing musician".

[@Gr13fKvlt]

She is “The Musician”.

[@a1wireless1964]

Took me forever to get mine to " growl" like that. She was one talented woman

[@rondamico7802]

She is the queen of the autoharp.

[@hunterdowdle5204]

The way she holds it in her arms, and lays her head against the instrument. As an autoharp player myself, it’s merely to hear the instrument better. But Mother Maybelle being the musician she was, it’s almost as if she’s embracing the instrument as a long lost love, never letting go.

[@josephlieberman3027]

I swear, the expression on her face semed to me as the deepest love being expressed of a mother for her dear infant child.

[@will2472]

Maybelle made that instrument work for her... she put in the effort and made that autoharp shine. That's the only way I know to phrase it. She was my absolute hero.

[@direfranchement]

No need to be weird.

[@RandomVidsforthought]

​@@direfranchementNothing weird about the comment

[@direfranchement]

@@RandomVidsforthought It's very weird.

[@ClintonClay]

Mother Maybelle, mother of June Carter and mother-in-law of Johnny Cash. My childhood years in the 1930s in my Bucksnort, Alabama, home, were the foyful sounds of WKNO radio, Knoxville, Tn, and the Carter Family. Never a morning went by without hearing, "Keep on the Sunny Side" and Wildwood Flower. The affect of those sounds and of the temperment of my parents contrinbuted to my lifetime of 87 years of optimism and for the most part, cheer.

[@richardskola3570]

+Clinton Clay Who would ever believe it? There really is a place called Bucksnort, Alabama. All of the Carter family, and Johnny Cash, left us with a wonderful legacy of music that will live on forever. Add Hank Williams, and his Luke the Drifter songs, and who needs anything else.?

[@daynawithawhy]

I hear that. Keep going, the world needs you and your memories xo

[@Warchief01]

Seems now that a lot of people have forgot the old ways

[@DChristina]

Clinton Clay - You were truly blessed💕 Thanks for sharing this

[@carolynkirby2569]

God bless ya.

[@TonyWud]

She was one of the greatest American guitar pickers who ever lived. That's according to folks like Chet and Jimi.

[@RichardRuth]

Amen, neighbor. Amen to that.

[@lorrainem8234]

💯

[@bobbeck5866]

And hundreds of famous pickers took lessons from her she was faultless

[@b789har]

Unfortunately she will never be mentioned outside of the country world.. Worst part is country is so far gone that Maybelle, Jimmie and Hank (Snow and Williams) are all turning in their graves with what Nashville considers "country"

[@Emberchariot]

@@b789har omg I'm not the only one then! I hate Nashville music I don't even like Taylor Swift, how can people call her country, she's not country at all, its pop. Im not saying. she's not skilled, she's just not country.

[@mountainspring1703]

You can hear the "Carter Scratch"!! Love it!

[@Musician84721]

In my opinion, she was the greatest autoharp and guitar player of all time….this woman was the greatest legend to exist. ❤ you Mother Maybelle….

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

Mother Maybelle, Johnny Cash and music like this is THE real Country Music.

[@JeffreyCoffey-j2y]

Not sure America is the same without the Carter's and Mother Maybelle..id imagine they didnt know we would still be listening!!!

[@JeffreyCoffey-j2y]

Wish they would come back for a while and play for us all..wouldn't that be truly amazing ..to witness....how wonderful?? Hallelujah

[@DaisyLee1963]

I love Mama Maybelle's face. A lot of character and emotion in her face. Thanks so much for posting!

[@Magnetron33]

I was thinking the same thing. Her face told quite a story.

[@davidpreston7819]

Hello , how're you doing, I hope you are doing fine. I'm David from Houston, Texas. Where are you from? You seems like a real Country girl😊🌹

[@comequickly2179]

June has her Momma's eyes

[@daisyflowers9334]

@Daisylee Agreed!

[@willafowler5530]

A neighbor of mine played the autoharp. It was a pretty common thing to hear her and her husband out on their porch playing instruments (of which they had, like, an incredible amount from all kinds of places) and singing. This lady reminded me of her. She died a few years ago. It’s got a very unique sound that will always remind me of her.

[@pamelachase9073]

She is so beautiful. Never going to be another like Mother Maybelle!

[@davidpreston7819]

Hello Pamela, how're you doing, I hope you are doing fine. I'm David from Houston, Texas. Where are you from? You seems like a real Country girl😊🌹

[@keyplayer123]

I love the way Mother Maybelle holds her head against the autoharp, communing with it and feeling every vibration. It's really a lesson in music to watch her.

[@CHDean]

Like she was having a conversation with…quite intimate

[@rationallogo]

I remember Mother Maybelle Carter. Such beautiful music. It's sad that these arts are almost extinct.

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

@@RustyMadd You stated the point very exact! To give myself as a simple example: her guitar picking also begins to influence my own style. My own challenge has become to create a sound between country guitar picking and progressive rock like Jethro Tull..We'll see what the future brings...

[@muffassa6739]

The whole Carter family were so incredible with so much talent. They pioneers of Country Music 🎶 bless all of them 😊

[@tinroofbusted]

Mother Maybelle was a classic, what a wonderful person. I wish I had a chance to meet her

[@benediktmorak4409]

dont know how many times i came back to her playing this beautiful instrument!

[@ivanmedrano7882]

What a rock star. This lady had deep chops no matter what she played. All you youngsters should check her style.

[@heckmacbuff]

That sound just hits the spot somehow. Purely divine. What a fabulous talent she had.

[@CrampedGrampy]

I'm old enough to remember hearing Mother Maybelle Carter along with June Carter and the rest of the family playing Wildwood Flower during the 1950s and 1960s. What great musical heritage Johnny Cash helped to propell into the then future.

[@daisyflowers9334]

Me too. That's the era I remember it from, being a baby boomer.

[@gezzap182]

The level of mastery on that many instruments. What an artist she was.

[@daisyflowers9334]

Nobody better than Mother Maybelle Carter. I remembered as a little girl watching her perform "Wildwood Flower" on the autoharp, on TV. I had a autoharp, and became a fan of Mother Maymabelle. 😁

[@greasylimpet3323]

Great memories. Do you still play yours?

[@dannyblack3814]

Beautiful Lady , beautiful music

[@c_farther5208]

I have the same chromaharp. The sound is just wonderful and rich. I love the way she holds it.

[@truthteller8459]

Never once did she have to look at the keys nor strings to see what note she was playing, simply amazing.

[@shannondawn44]

This is wonderful . I actually call my autoharp "Maybelle" . Thanks for sharing this

[@davidpreston7819]

Hello Shannon, how're you doing, I hope you are doing fine. I'm David from Houston, Texas. Where are you from? You seems like a real Country girl😊🌹

[@wesleybarton6922]

Mother Maybelle was a lady. She had no prejudices towards the young people of the 1960s. Was great on the album "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"

[@elizl2802]

Very beautiful!❤

[@austrorus]

like to come back her and can listen to this song over and over again!

[@cwynn1547]

it's just so amazing how many voicings she gets out of one strum! incredible..❤

[@rydabent]

If you listen close she has that extra trill with the regular playing. Amazing!!!

[@NichBro]

She was really quite good with an autoharp. Her version of Wildwood Flower is the one played most often.

[@_martino87]

Mother Maybelle a legend!!!!!

[@collybeans586]

Mother Maybelle Carter legend!

[@daviddavidson8050]

Beautiful! Rest in peace Mother Mabel Carter.

[@CAMPAZFilms]

She is such a role model for young ladies, just a picture of grace and dignity.

[@deborahalexander2405]

She certainly was a role model!

[@conniepartin4402]

She is still a role model for young women --always tastefully and appropriately--decently dressed. I never heard or read anything negative about her and certainly nothing scandalous. SHE WAS A LADY!

[@41hijinx22]

She embraces that instrument like it was the Baby Jesus!

[@clairepoirier345]

41 Hi Jinx i wish i had the chance to embrace baby jesus

[@keptyeti]

I appreciate your sweet though randomly religious observation but that's also how it's done generally.

[@russianbot2397]

Those haunting blue eyes

[@froggiechar]

Gosh! This is super! I'm so blessed to have Mother Maybelle's autograph! God bless, Brother Charles Pratt

[@DavidSmith-ze2wi]

Never knew about autoharps until I discovered the Carter family, Can't get enough of them now. Fantastic instrument. What a talented family the Carter's were, love to hear them.

[@karlbraun9564]

Maybelle Carter, the queen of the autoharp, playing Black Mountain Rag written by Leslie Keith.

[@edejan]

One of the true creators of the origins of country music. A great lady and a timeless talent!

[@redwoods7370]

They knew who they were and felt and loved their music. God bless them. We all benefit.

[@monickalynn4365]

Johnny Cash sporting a mullet in 1970! So much talent in this family RIP

[@davidpreston7819]

Hello Monicka, how're you doing, I hope you are doing fine. I'm David from Houston, Texas. Where are you from? You seems like a real Country girl😊🌹

[@caseylee12]

There's NOTHING like the sound of an autoharp up against your ear!!!

[@jakeheke8326]

This woman belongs on the cover of Rolling Stones magazine Above Slash and Hendrix

[@ginasellers3207]

She's good but NO ONE is better than Hendrix!

[@StreetSpeed10]

@@ginasellers3207 millions would beg to differ.

[@DChristina]

She’s much too good for that rag.

[@wayneconn1079]

@@ginasellers3207 Buddy Guy who he stole his style from ??

[@rcperry2000]

I have an autoharp. I was inspired to get one after seeing Maybelle and June play it so often but they make it look so easy! I can't read music and I kinda struggle with chord changes but I love to just strum along with anything I'm listening to

[@jeremeyslayton9862]

Best I've ever heard on a autoharp

[@9lontoonieful1]

I love this song!

[@shanezenmusic]

Just got this amazing instrument and this is an incredible display of it. Way harder than it looks!

[@jena6550]

Absolutely obsessed with her and this clip! You go Maybelle! #1

[@MultiRabe]

Im so glad that I was alive during this time in music history! What an incredible musical Family!

[@richardskola3570]

+roberto abrams I know you're right. I got to see, and often meet, some of the best in country, and pop that there ever was. What ever happened to beautiful music, and talent?

[@jbclaussner9936]

roberto abrams I wish I was a part of that family

[@otravez3916]

Love it. Incredible talent.

[@crystalheart9]

Beautiful!!!

[@dannyblack4629]

grew up watching this Lady.She is the best

[@erika7674]

Go Mother Maybelle!

[@cirojoseleao5804]

And the great Johnny Cash presents...Mother Meybelle❤

[@helenhighwater5313]

Very nice rendition of the Black Mountain Rag.

[@briartlaw]

Thank,s for posting Great stuff 5**** .

[@MJones-hi9cr]

Thank you.

[@joelspears3106]

Now THAT is how you feel the music.

[@David-hn7zm]

She's great on that thing and shes has gorgeous eyes

[@9lontoonieful1]

Wonderful!

[@stormcorrosion176]

Eyes full of wisdom.

[@tosa275]

She is like angel..talented musician..

[@sidv192]

the one lady who inspired a whole new genre of music

[@mountainspring1703]

There are great autoharp players playing today thanks to folks like Mother Maybelle! Old Time Music is alive and well. Check out Old Time Music and Dance Week at Swannanoa Gathering, Augusta in Elkins, WV, Clifftop, Galax Fiddlers Convention, Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, NC and many others all over the country. Thank you Mother Maybelle!

[@conniepartin2218]

A beautiful and classy lady!

[@froggiechar]

Mother Maybelle was the BEST! Thank you so much for sharing this great video! I'm so honored to have Mother Maybelle's autograph! Many years ago, she was with the JOHNNY CASH SHOW, performed in Seattle, at the Opera House. I think it was in 1968?

[@ladycharsw]

I always loved Mother Maybelle A young senior cowgirl Fresno, Cal

[@benediktmorak4409]

the Carters and Cash of - old - are no more. but with youtube their music will be with us forever.

[@nicolebeck1023]

Je ne me lasse pas... Quel talent... ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@colbjallen8334]

Absolutely lovely

[@Rebecca31165]

Wonderful!!! :)

[@quindoger]

I love Maybelle

[@9lontoonieful1]

Mother Maybelle was a talented woman!

[@sdiz3430]

Unfortunately for me I'm not musical .... but this is absolutely, pure magic. Incredible! Mother Maybelle makes it look way too easy and way too much fun.

[@MrFlatroofer]

Beautiful.

[@Warchild1950]

Oh YEAH!! I'm back in the Ozarks listening to WSM, yeeeeeeee haaaaaaahhh

[@JohnWilson-bn1xs]

I wouldn't take ANYTHING for being able to hear this. What a treasure. TX

[@sandramorey2529]

Another autoharp player here. She is wonderful & the autoharp is a true American instrument. (if you can tune the thing).

[@jorgeradetzky6852]

Great !!!

[@IanRob2011]

1969 Johnny CashConcert Mother Maybelle,June,Helen and Anita.the Carter Family. Felt very privilidged to see such a historical Musical Family. Also saw Carl Perkins and the Statlet Brothers.

[@douggraham5082]

So impressive!!!!

[@TheLadrowski]

Lovely lady

[@bazthehandyman]

Awesome.

[@karlschulte9231]

She is not only skilled but a lovely woman. Jine takes after her. Wad privileged to have met John and June plus the lovely Crystal years ago. National treasures!

[@mfb3042]

Plays it so smooth.

[@stacythomas1652]

Beautiful

[@davidpreston7819]

Hello Stacy, how're you doing, I hope you are doing fine. I'm David from Houston, Texas. Where are you from? You seems like a real Country girl😊🌹

[@mikesaunders5226]

Lovely !

[@jmill3147]

The Autoharp is such a fascinating instrument

[@stuffandwhatnot5413]

That mixture of intense concentration and utter happiness...wow.

[@ladyvee7110]

Very good. :-)

[@marcozipagan7497]

This is an instrument in traditional Capampangan, it has 36 strings and keys, The instrument is called Autoharp.

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

this was spectacular :) QC

[@drewchakana6938]

Chills❤❤