Songs of the Carter Family
Searle Whitney and Laura Lind

Sara, Maybelle and A.P. Carter wrote, collected and sung some of the finest and best-loved songs of the old-time folk and country traditions. First recorded in 1927 in Bristol, TN, their 78s were repeated hits throughout the 20s and, after a Depression-era slump, again in the mid to late 30s. In 1938-39, they were heard coast to coast on million watt Border Radio station XERA. Many of their songs were learned by folks growing up in those times and through the likes of Woody Guthrie and Flatt & Scruggs, have made it into the folk, bluegrass and oldtime traditions.

In this workshop, we will all sing and play whatever Carter Family songs people bring or choose from a mini songbook we're making of favorite songs they recorded at each of their first 10 (or so) sessions, so we can all sing lyrics together. Bring your instruments for breaks.

Searle is an avid fan of old-time songs, the Carter Family, bluegrass and old-time gospel harmony singing. He writes songs of love and heartbreak in the traditional fashion. He plays fiddle and guitar and learns the world's best fiddle tune ... each week.

Laura has a powerful unique voice and an extensive repertoire of traditional historic songs and fiddle tunes; and is a prolific and published song writer. She rocks and sings the blues. Among many honors, in 2007 she won 1st place lead picking on autoharp at the Fiddle & Bango [sic] Contest, Columbia, California, in the miscellaneous category of course.

Laura and Searle have been performing together (along with David Brown & Dave Krinkel) in The West County Professional Tea Sippers' Old Time String Band. Check out the website: www.theteasippers.com and come to our performance at 5:20 on Sunday.