Yesteryear In Nashville ~ Helen & Anita Carter (1983)

Archie Campbell interviews two of the Carter Sisters about their careers.

[@shortybeck6901]

I've always thought Anita's speaking voice was as lovely and sweet as her singing voice. And so relaxing and soft!

[@edtorrez9052]

L

[@johnschuh8616]

Apparently its was not nasal enough to fit the songs they were singing.

[@tonyorourke1459]

Despite all the inventions and technology of modern days nothing can match this family, just their instruments and voices. Absolutely timeless..............

[@alanoneill3065]

Anita has such a dazzling smile!

[@pj9731]

I kept a smile the whole time I watched this. Pure country! Thank you! 👍👍😎🇺🇸

[@fabricatedreality8218]

Mother Maybelle was ahead of her time for a woman of that era. She drove all around the south and Texas with three little children in tow, performing and singing. Imagine the roads back in the 30's and 40's and traveling alone with three little children. Mother Maybelle and her kids always looked so neat and sharp. What an incredible woman.

[@krudeddie]

So true I remember what a pain it was just to get my little girl ready to go out for the day and do a little shopping. She did all that travelin mostly on dirt roads most with out signs and very few places to stop and rest.

[@ronjohnson3695]

In 1967 we made a trip from upstate N.Y to mertle beach S.C. there were no interstate highway south of Washington it was all state and county roads and took three days he he he . In the thirties and forties I'm sure it was much different he he he

[@RonaldChappell-lp7xx]

Yes I agree with you . But today they throw her in jail 😢

[@JustAThought155]

You know, I needed to hear Anita’s answer concerning her not being a famous number one singer. She was indeed the best female vocalist, in my opinion. But her ease in being content with simply using her gift was worth the listen! Thank you Lord for letting me hear her words!

[@amywhite9972]

I recently learned that Anita actually had rheumatoid arthritis. If you look at her fingers, you can see the knotted knuckles. Her death was partially blamed on the medicines she had to take for it. I believe arthritis is a lot of the reason Anita wasn't even more famous.

[@archierussell5268]

Wwwsssssssssssss

[@williamgunter6801]

Thank God Maybelle enjoyed sharing her gift so much. The legacy her and her daughters gave the world such a gift of song and melody. We still enjoy listening, and hearing the history to this day.😊😊😊

[@johnnymac8680]

What a wonderful legacy the Carter family have left us.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

What beautiful people. Fantastic musicians, entertainers and down to earth people. You can't get an interview like this today. Even the setting was that of a family living room. Anita Carter was just a little more special though. He said it right when he said it was probably her own fault that she didn't have a big album or wasn't more of an individual star. She said she would have welcomed that but she was happy just being with the family. What a wonderful woman.

[@alanhall7058]

The guitar work by Mother Maybelle is amazing.... Anita's voice, angelic

[@gophersk]

Maybelle used the "Carter Scratch" . Truly an innovation to picking.

[@LeftLib]

What a wonderful interview. I am very impressed with Archie as well as the sisters

[@9496TULL]

I’m so happy to be born and raised about 45 minutes from their home. Around here we all liked them and their music but took the music for granted along with so many other local artists of the time.

[@williamgunter6801]

You were very fortunate. I wish I could have met any of them.

[@shirleymorris7481]

Anita Carter had the most beautiful voice in country music.

[@S0ngsyngr]

Anita could sing any genre and be a star

[@janicescott7338]

As June and Johnny would agree!

[@ralphcrow3881]

Such a talented family. Love to hear their songs.

[@mplsmark222]

I have just recently come to pay attention to the Carter Family and their history. The matriarch was such an amazing women. She was responsible for so much joy and entertainment for decades. May bell needed a band, so she made one herself. It appears they all stayed grounded and lived a good life in an industry that is famous for excess. RIP momma Carter.

[@wanderandwonder7]

I admire them for sticking together. They all were so talented in their individual ways. Anita’s voice was beautiful. Helen favored her mother a lot. June will always be my favorite though.

[@fabricatedreality8218]

Anita has such a powerful voice

[@jessef8833]

Thanks to Ken Burns I'm obsessed with this stuff.

[@LonePigsyAndCub]

Me too!

[@ArkRed1]

I was lucky enough to be taught the "Carter Scratch" on guitar by Mother Maybelle back in the early fifties. I saw her forty years later, and thanked her, but she didn't remember me. I wasn't hurt. I mean in forty years you meet a lot of people. So glad I got to meet her and the sisters.

[@gailharlin4643]

What an honor!

[@williamgunter6801]

You were very lucky! To actually meet Mother Maybelle, and have the level of interaction of a bit of instruction to her "Carter Scratch"!😊😊😊

[@LonePigsyAndCub]

Man, I loved this interview -- I need more!

[@tonylupo1764]

Stay tuned for the book that I've been working on for over 6 years now about the Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle band era 1943-1956. They were true successful pioneers in American entertainment

[@johnoboyce3422]

I have loved the Carter family for ever and a day & Anita singing is something else for sure - mother Maybelle is also a great musian on guitar & the autoharp.

[@nancydavis_]

Wow, I love hearing their stories. Each Carter lady was talented and beautiful in their own right. I especially liked what Anita said in reference about her talent: "I had enough of Mama in me to just love to get out there and do what you do! If it happens big great, if not you don't have to worry about falling down."

[@franshoppenbrouwers5264]

I love anita

[@SpaceGhost67]

Blue Doll is greater than all other pop songs combined as sung by Anita.

[@joeyguy1952]

I have a recording of my mom and two sisters singing this ! The Carter family loved them

[@misssophia8580]

I’ll tell ya. This is some family. & I don’t mean from just a performing standpoint. U can tell from this interview alone that the sisters really loved + respected their mother and each other!!! They were proud of the life Maybelle lived and the lives she gave them. Yes Anita was blessed with a voice and helen could play that guitar like no other and june was endlessly funny. But they just good people. U feel better after listening to them & I think that’s what they spent their lives trying to do. Make people feel good. Maybe that’s why anita didn’t chase a career. It’s not what she wanted. I think those sisters were truly best friends. Nothing could break them. That’s why they sounded so good together. I love hearing these 2 talk to. They knew their history because they were proud of it. I bet they are so happy to be with their momma again. Love the Carter family so much.

[@ofbyforpeople1384]

well said. It was interesting how they noticed in the 1960s that all the young people knew and recognized their mother Maybelle. That had to feel good and make them proud too.

[@Ace098654]

Fabulous Thanks

[@softshoes]

Wonderful interview.

[@thruend2496]

Anita out there looking like Little Richard. They were all so beautiful in their youths

[@Pentagonshark666]

I thought the same.She looks like Little Richard.

[@deborahbouchard5475]

❤ I love Anita's voice she sang with so many singer's like Waylon

[@johnschuh8616]

She had one of the most interesting voices of all. Technically one of the purest.

[@janicescott7338]

Oh ok, I will look anxiously for them together.

[@79tazman]

The Carter family is like the Elvis of Country music

[@billgreen6263]

Pure GOLD!!!

[@luannebaker6936]

Thank you for sharing your videos from North Carolina.

[@BigBossGator]

Thank you for uploading this.

[@jennifursun3303]

love their song Traveling Minstrel Band

[@richardnelson6801]

Living in the Bristol Tennessee area it's sad that no one ever mentions Earnest V. Stonemen. if it hadn't been for him there would not have been the big bang of country music !

[@jaysilverheals4445]

you better believe people mention him--only advanced researcher type people though. The big one? was Vernon Dalhart "wreck of the old 97"

[@hectorasham8278]

I'd like to say something about the Carter family but everything about them someone else has said. Anyway I agree with Mabel's guitar playing she knew that guitar inside out.such a talented bunch of ladies. Heaven bound.

[@johnoboyce3422]

Most stuff said I agree with about the Carter Clan - about the part of not being able to get interviews like it today I think in Ireland you could with the very talented Black family, the Keene family & the Sands or at least you could very recently, that said I have loved the Carter family since I can remember & will until I join them in the home of the Nazarene & then start all over again*****

[@mcrampton8]

Isn't it great knowing your extended family

[@rdo1231]

legends

[@snakemansnakes1]

Many thanks for posting this interview. Enjoyed every moment

[@williamgunter6801]

Interesting tidbit is that Mother Maybelle owned a Kaiser Manhatten sedan diring the 50's and early 60's in which they traveled around the country to the shows.

[@amyuncaged]

Interesting.. thanks for sharing

[@tomjones2348]

Fascinating interview.

[@Jason-hk9dq]

I love you gags so much I'm. hearing in 2023.

[@sarahgracebrooks2629]

I met Johnny Cash in Rome Ga. sometime in the 80's June, Helen, and Anita singled me out with my Dad 1960's Yamaha Guitar, Every one of the Carter's sign the Guitar and So did Johnny before the show started. Its an incredible show to say the least. I was wondering if my Dad guitar had any value. Since then Confederate Railroad , Emi Lou Harris, and, a fellow named ZEKE CLEMENTS sign the guitar also.

[@corneliadenninger5395]

Jack Clement??

[@normitabarranco3378]

I miss them.

[@philipdonald7092]

Hello beautiful lady

[@JustAThought155]

“Now you, you weren’t part of the ‘oh-Rig-o-Nell’ Carter Family, were you?” and both sisters look intently and spontaneously speechless at the man who just claimed to have known them for years!😂😂😂!!! Southern manners just showed itself.

[@ofbyforpeople1384]

the sisters also politely didn't bother to correct him when he said the recordings were in "25 but they actually were in 1927 and after

[@tonylupo1764]

Archie knew them since they all worked at WNOX during the fall to spring radio season of 1948-49 when they met and hired Chet Atkins.

[@nicolebeck1023]

Belles personnes, talentueuses... Particulièrement Helen.... J'adore... ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ofbyforpeople1384]

I like what Helen said too about simply needing talent and drive which they all had but she was talking specifically about her mother Maybelle and how she would've stayed home w the family if it was necessary to keep her hubby and everyone happy.

[@nicolebeck1023]

@@ofbyforpeople1384 Depuis que j ai découvert sur you tube cette famille Carter, Johnny Cash... Je suis littéralement fascinée par leur talent leur charisme... Maybelle Helen Anita, Carlene, Roxanne.... Et June et Johnny Cash... C'est en voyant le film de leur vie à la télé... Que j ai cherchée à les connaître mieux... Ce couple mythique est fascinant... L amour avec un grand A et l amour de la musique qui les unissait... Et apparemment une famille unie autour d eux... C est un vrai bonheur de les écouter, de les revoir.. Merci pour ces vidéos... ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@fabricatedreality8218]

Such history

[@rdo1231]

the best!

[@ericsalles3393]

I cant stop watching them .there must be something wrong with me .

[@josephmclaughlin9404]

You’re not unique. True beauty has a way of having an amazing effect on all of our souls.if you allow it to.

[@hubertallain328]

Sublime , j'adore !!!!!

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

great interview

[@jessiejoseph1093]

Wonderful

[@amzyjones1780]

With the exception of Anita not one of these women was an exceptional singer in her own right but when they sang together their harmonies were very beautiful.

[@dmoor10]

I have to say; I disagree. Helen Carter, in my opinion, was an excellent instrumentalist, songwriter, and singer.

[@michellecox6501]

My mother used to tell stories of hearing them singing at family reunions

[@atxroque]

These two truly are the most talented of the sisters. The voices and musicianship is astonishing. June was just along for the ride with both the Carter family and later with Johnny Cash. The clowning and joking, was her forté I guess.

[@lindaclark9925]

June was all country pure lol, just a beauty queen! Truly..and.....June had a great voice also, c'mon

[@atxroque]

@@lindaclark9925 Everyone has their opinion and that’s good. But as for a standalone voice and beauty…look at her sisters.

[@lindaclark9925]

@@atxroque I did. So did ....Johnny!?!? 😂 He picked June.

[@atxroque]

@@lindaclark9925 Awww, bless your heart. You are correct, Johnny did pick June! My thought is because he loved her, which for a lifelong relationship is usually based on way more than physical beauty or an ability to sing.

[@lindaclark9925]

@@atxroque you just hate June..lol. she had a beautiful voice also. Some could argue that Anita had a twangy screeching voice . Lol. And....June did play the harpsichord, etc etc.and. classic high cheek bones etc etc beauty

[@johnschuh8616]

Why did Anita never make lead? IMHO, she had the best voice of all?

[@davidcawrowl3865]

The huge radio station in Mexico , "border station", gave the Carters more global exposure, and I'm not saying this lightly, more than the Beatles.

[@lindaclark9925]

They were all that country high cheekbones classic America cameo look

[@jimmybusk]

YAY !

[@alcoleman5261]

I saw Johnny Cash and the Carter family in Hawaii in the early 70s. Great memories.

[@marycage5214]

Saw them in New Orleans sometimes in the 70s. Had the Statler Brothers with them too.

[@Eddie_Schantz]

What a great interview Archie did with Helen & Anita. Does anyone know what is the make and model of guitar that Mother Maybelle played?

[@GlennEric]

Eddie Schantz 1928 Gibson L-5

[@samhessianthehessian815]

you can buy a 20's era L-5 from Norms Rare Guitars still today. In killer shape still.

[@williamgunter6801]

She made reference to a 1927 Gibson for the early years. Her electric guitar? I have no idea. Most likely, a Gibson.

[@ronjohnson3695]

I don't know how I stumbled on this interview, Wow I'm blown away at the sweet sound of these women. There is no sound as sweet as all girl groups. I've been a music fan all my life I'm 66 but all girl groups singing touch my soul. I think the reason so much respect for mother maybelle is she played a major part in the defining moment of music . Bury me under the weeping willow is still a wonderful song almost 100 years ago recorded. They say Carter family records are collectables I've yet to see one Carter family record .Thank-you for posting this wonderful interview I really enjoyed it !

[@leman19851]

Helen said " June was always full of herself". hahaha

[@GlennEric]

Makes me fall out laughing every time I watch this haha

[@atxroque]

Agreed

[@jones616]

Yeah, best thing she ever did was marry Johnny Cash.

[@romantic340]

Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter family established country music, Hank Williams Sr fine tuned it.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

not really true. The Carter family were one of thousands doing music in the hills usually starting with gospel at church and also hundreds of songs of the hillbillies often black music. One of the biggest "start of it all"--was Vernon Dalhart "wreck of the old 97" which the country went crazy over and it established the concept of songs telling an adventure or huge crash or something that occurred that people were interested in--trains being a big part of peoples lives. Recordings then took off as entertainment to the common people who had crank record players. Peer came along and did the Bristol Sessions and he saw what was happening and started to glean as much music from mountain hillbillies as possible. The Carter family led by AP simply went around snatching up all available songs and recording them. Jimmie Rodgers also did the Bristol sessions but chose poorly his song and ended up doing T for Texas after travelling on his own dime up to Camden. THAT was a huge occurence and his recordings really took things off and everyone started perfecting their skills WHEN THEY SAW MONEY COULD BE HAD.. In a few years they started forming professional bands--not just local friends and hillbillies. Another milestone was Bill Monroe who truly went all out about forming a band of the best of the best of the best as a money making enterprise. Hank Williams was part of it however it had already taken off and he was a good writer but also performed black type music. "Lovesick blues" was actually a minstrel song written by a white Russian and his friend who did music for minstrels.. There are many singers who simply were "the most famous"--but were not really the father of country music--the fathers of country music was Wreck of the old 97--and the Carter family and Jimmie Rodgers..

[@K-Biskerow]

@@jaysilverheals4445 Haha, thanks JC, for pointing out it's a bit more complicated... it's more complicated still, since we really only can hear what went on since the dawn of recordings. Country music, basically being folk music, has origins dating back God-only-knows how far, and derived from God-only-knows what. If there actually was a single true father of country music, which I sorta doubt there ever was, their identity was lost to the ages- ages ago... Hey, I didn't know "Lovesick Blues" was written by a Russian tho!

[@steveendicott1855]

@@jaysilverheals4445 The Big Bang of Country Music started in Bristol with The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Hank Williams recorded Lovesick and you're right it was a minstrel song. However,to the surprise of his producer Fred Rose and the band he recorded with Lovesick Blues became a smash hit for Hank! He really put Country Music on the map after Move It On Over!

[@clawhammer704]

But these folks took these songs and put them on recordings. If they had not done that the songs might have been lost to time.

[@shirleymorris7481]

Chet Adkins --that is the Chester she is talking about

[@ritoboytv]

nice Carter Family Band

[@dougraddi908]

Maybelle was so beautiful. She was my favorite then Carlene

[@backtothefathershouse6758]

Instead of The Man with the hair peice- He has to be known as "THE HAIR PEICE WITH THE MAN!!!" LOL!!!👨‍🦲👨‍🦲👨‍🦲-- Hahahah!!! Cdn't resist!! One thing for sure: HE AINT ASHAMED OF HIS RUG!!! NO SIR REE !!!

[@JustAThought155]

Right!!! That wig distracts me from this interview whenever I see it!😂😂😂

[@pxn748]

"June was always full of herself"

[@DeepSkyEntertainment]

June was the most beautiful flirt in country music. Very hard not to love her.

[@dmoor10]

Does anyone have the entire performance from that clip at the end?

[@ofbyforpeople1384]

just what I was wondering. The clip has the entire family including Maybelle in it so obviously from before the 1983 interview show. Plus it looks like originally in black+white ... Anybody?

[@amywhite9972]

Oh my Gosh!! Who's the older gentlemen? He played on Hee-Haw.. 👀

[@steveendicott1855]

Archie Campbell

[@theokie3270]

Did Waylon Jennings and Anita Carter have a romance resulting in the song 'ANITA, YOU'RE DREAMING'? written by WAYLON...

[@GlennEric]

the okie Waylon and Anita were never romantically involved. Anita was married to a Nashville producer by the last name of Davis.

[@kenriddle7301]

the okie p

[@rockhard2654]

dude? that song is about leaving a girl named anita WOULD YOU LEAVE ANITA CARTER? have you ever seen a picture of anita carter in her twentys? you'd amputated both legs before you'd leave that girl

[@marymattheos4803]

@@GlennEric when did Anita Carter marry Producer Davis

[@theWoodrow321]

Waylon wrote the song about his future 3rd wife Barbara. In his book, he describes how she wanted to get together with him, but he was married to his 2nd wife at the time.

[@jrvaz9330]

“ June never showed any inclination to sing except just have a good time she was always a fool of herself “

[@packingten]

FULL OF HERSELF..

[@CalebTrask]

Jimmy Carter and Sergeant Carter are distant cousins.

[@alanoneill3065]

I wonder if Anita and Dolly Parton met...chalk and cheese or what!

[@ihatedinonuggets]

Chalk and cheese? Both singers are wonderful with great voices, but yes they did meet. Anita sang background on some of Dolly and Porters' songs

[@millers3888]

Lol June was certainly not the singer. Love how she slowly backs out at 11:57 when the start really harmonizing 😂

[@pokeysdad17]

is musical ability inherited, or can it be learned?

[@millers3888]

I guess if you come from and grow up in a musical family like the Carter girls did, it could be inherited/learned. But certain people are just gifted. Judy Garland, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Julie Andrews. These are people who as children had a musical ability that they were just born with. Some people are uniquely talented, some people just aren’t, know matter how many music lessons you take.

[@pokeysdad17]

@@millers3888 so.....you're saying it's a definite maybe?

[@millers3888]

@@pokeysdad17 Basically yes. Some people are musically gifted and some aren’t. But you CAN learn how to sing, how to play an instrument. But no amount of training can make up for a natural gift.

[@pokeysdad17]

@@millers3888 i don't think i can learn either one. mostly though, i want to know if it is hereditary, or if it is just random.

[@millers3888]

@@pokeysdad17 Anybody can sing karaoke for example. Whether you sound any good, that’s a natural talent that you’re just born with. Same with any instrument. Look at the Carters. June could hold her own vocally and knew how to play instruments growing up the way she did, but Anita was clearly the naturally gifted one.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

I thought at first the picture was little richard

[@annholder3293]

J

[@myrel543]

Elvis was liked Anita.

[@backtothefathershouse6758]

KEN *side burns* ONLY!!! OR, *2 SIDE BURNS AND A SQUIRREL.*--( Sounds like a COUNTRY HIT to me.)---😁😆😅🤣😔😔😔

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Of June's sisters, her older sister Helen was not as fondly remembered.

[@frostymittens7913]

The massive tank covalently measure because prison perplexingly heat toward a better uganda. accurate, spotless lizard

[@geraldasherbranner9672]

No comment

[@shortybeck6901]

But you DID comment...

[@mvl6827]

Oh Anita, how you lost your beauty. But then, this is the way we all must go...

[@shortybeck6901]

She didn't lose her beauty, but that hairstyle didn't do her any favors.

[@jameshagan558]

@@shortybeck6901 Your right about the hair style.That beautiful long forehead of hers should never have been covered up.However,you can see that at 50 she was still an extremely good looking woman

[@laurawilloughby4000]

@@jameshagan558 Anita had severe rheumatoid arthritis and had to take medications that damaged her liver and her pancreas. That may have been a factor. She died at 66.

[@rcperry2000]

She did NOT lose her beauty. She was beautiful here and always was.

[@mvl6827]

@@rcperry2000 beauty is in the eye of the beholder…

[@thomaswilliams2646]

I was lucky enough to be taught the "Carter Scratch" on guitar by Mother Maybelle back in the early fifties. I saw her forty years later, and thanked her, but she didn't remember me. I wasn't hurt. I mean in forty years you meet a lot of people. So glad I got to meet her and the sisters.