May 10: The late “Mother” Maybelle Carter was born in 1909

“Mother” Maybelle Carter (May 10, 1909 – October 23, 1978) was an American country musician. She is best known as a member of the historic Carter Family act in the 1920s and 1930s and also as a member of Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.

Perhaps the most remarkable of Maybelle’s many talents was her skill as a guitarist. She revolutionized the instrument’s role by developing a style in which she played melody lines on the bass strings with her thumb while rhythmically strumming with her fingers. Her innovative technique, to this day known as the Carter Scratch, influenced the guitar’s shift from rhythm to lead instrument.

—Holly George-Warren

Mother Maybell Carter performing “Black Mountain Rag” live on The Johnny Cash Show:

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Johnny Cash Mother Maybelle Carter – Pick The Wildwood Flower – Johnny Cash Show:

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– Hallgeir & Egil