Gate City in Scott County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Carter Musical Family

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

1. Carter Musical Family Marker

Inscription. The Carter Family of Scott County, the "First Family of Country Music", consisted of Alvin Pleasant "A.P." Carter (1891-1960), who sang and composed; Sara E. Doughtery Carter (1898-1979), who sang lead and played the guitar and autoharp; and Maybelle Addington Carter (1909-1978), who sang and played the guitar and auto harp. After their first recording session in Bristol for the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1927, the trio enjoyed tremendous popularity, appearing on the radio, and recording more than 250 songs until 1943. The Carter Family incorporated unique harmony vocals into traditional tunes and orginial material. A.P. and Sarah Carter are buried in Maces Springs, VA near Hiltons. Maybelle Carter is buried in Hendersonville, Tenn.

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KA-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 36° 38.265′ N, 82° 33.696′ W. Marker is in Gate City, Virginia, in Scott County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 23/58), on the right

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when traveling west. The marker was moved from its original location at 36° 38.095′ N, 82° 33.312′ W 500 feet south where it was one of five markers there photographed in 2008 and again in 2010. The post was still there in 2017. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gate City VA 24251, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John P. McConnell (within shouting distance of this marker); Moccasin Gap (within shouting distance of this marker); First Court of Scott County (within shouting distance of this marker); Prospect Public School (within shouting distance of this marker); Donelson's Indian Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackmore’s Fort (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Donelson's Indian Line (approx. 0.4 miles away); Big Moccasin Gap (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gate City.

Also see . . . The Carter Family Fold. (Submitted on April 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Carter Musical Family Marker at its new location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

2. Carter Musical Family Marker at its new location

Former Location of Carter Family Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

3. Former Location of Carter Family Marker

The empty post in the foreground held the marker for many years before it was moved 500 feet west to a wayside park.

Carter Musical Family Marker, at its original location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Summers, January 31, 2008

4. Carter Musical Family Marker, at its original location

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2008, by Beverly Summers of Lakeland, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,615 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 15, 2008, by Beverly Summers of Lakeland, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.