Fred F. Carter Jr. (December 31, 1933 – July 17, 2010) was an American
guitarist, singer, producer and composer.
Early career
Carter was raised in the
delta
Delta commonly refers to:
* Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), a letter of the Greek alphabet
* River delta, at a river mouth
* D ( NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta")
* Delta Air Lines, US
* Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19
Delta may also ...
country in
Winnsboro, the seat of
Franklin Parish in northeastern
Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...
, United States.
Carter grew up with the musical influences of jazz, country & western, hymns, and
blues. His first instrument was the mandolin which he began playing at the age of three. He later began playing fiddle. While in the Air Force in his late teens, he was the bandleader for the USO variety show entertaining troops across Europe. His bunkmate during the tour was the MC and fellow serviceman
Larry Hagman, who went on to television fame. After leaving the Air Force, Carter attended
Centenary Music College on scholarship as a violist despite the fact he could not read music, but instead had to memorize all of his orchestral pieces.
After leaving Centenary, Carter began his professional career in the 1950s, his first partner in music was another Franklin Parish native,
Allen "Puddler" Harris. He started taking up guitar seriously in his early 20s and became a principal on the
Louisiana Hayride
''Louisiana Hayride'' was a radio and later television country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the ...
. While on the Hayride, he formed lifelong friendships with many musicians including
Slim Whitman
Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr. (January 20, 1923 – June 19, 2013), known as Slim Whitman, was an American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his yodeling abilities and his use of falsetto. He claimed he had sold in excess of ...
,
Floyd Cramer
Floyd Cramer (October 27, 1933 – December 31, 1997) was an American pianist who became famous for his use of melodic "half step" attacks. He was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His signatu ...
,
Sonny James
Jimmie Hugh Loden (May 1, 1928February 22, 2016), known professionally as Sonny James, was an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, " Young Love", topping both of the early versions of today's ''Billboard'' ...
,
Hank Snow
Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (May 9, 1914 – December 20, 1999) was a Canadian-American country music artist. Most popular in the 1950s, he had a career that spanned more than 50 years, he recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on ...
,
Faron Young
Faron Young (February 25, 1932 – December 10, 1996) was an American country music producer, musician, and songwriter from the early 1950s into the mid-1980s. Hits including "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')" and "Live Fast, Love Hard, Di ...
,
Johnny Horton,
Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves (August 20, 1923July 31, 1964) was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville Sound. Known as "Gentleman ...
and many others. Carter met
Roy Orbison during this time and became part of his band and moved to Hollywood with him. Later, he worked with Orbison in Nashville on the Monument Sessions, being heard on "Dream Baby" as the opening guitar. He subsequently worked with
Dale Hawkins
Delmar Allen "Dale" Hawkins (August 22, 1936 – February 13, 2010) was a pioneer American rock singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist who was often called the architect of swamp rock boogie. Ronnie Hawkins was his cousin.
Biography
He bega ...
of "
Suzie Q" song fame, and then joined Dale's cousin
Ronnie Hawkins
Ronald Cornett Hawkins (January 10, 1935 – May 29, 2022) was an American singer-songwriter, long based in Canada, whose career spanned more than half a century.
His career began in Arkansas, United States, where he was born and raised. He ...
whose group, The Hawks, later became
The Band, (sans Hawkins). During this busy and formative time, Carter also toured and became lifelong friends with
Conway Twitty.
In the early 1960s, Carter settled into the
Nashville session scene. He quickly earned a place as part of Nashville's 'A Team'. His discography for the next three decades is extensive and wide-ranging: Carter played guitar and mandolin for two of
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...
's albums in the late 1960s. He then worked on
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of the singer-songwriter Paul Simon and the singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s, and their biggest hits—including the electric remix of " ...
's ''
Bridge over Troubled Water''. Notably, Carter provide numerous memorable guitar performances including five guitar parts for "
The Boxer
"The Boxer" is a song written by Paul Simon and recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fifth studio album, '' Bridge over Troubled Water'' (1970). Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, it was released as a standalone si ...
" by
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of the singer-songwriter Paul Simon and the singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s, and their biggest hits—including the electric remix of " ...
,
"I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal" by
John Anderson, "
I've Always Been Crazy" and "Whistlers and Jugglers" by
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music.
Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...
. He also played guitar and bass on the
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...
albums ''
Self Portrait
A self-portrait is a representation of an artist that is drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by that artist. Although self-portraits have been made since the earliest times, it is not until the Early Renaissance in the mid-15th century tha ...
'' and ''
Nashville Skyline
''Nashville Skyline'' is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on April 9, 1969, by Columbia Records as LP record, reel to reel tape and audio cassette.
Building on the rustic style he experimented with on '' J ...
''; as well as on the
Connie Francis
Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937),
known professionally as Connie Francis, is an American pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Called the “First Lady of Rock & Roll” ...
hit single, "
The Wedding Cake". During this time Carter was also a member of the supergroup
Levon Helm and the RCO All Stars, composed of
Levon Helm,
Booker T. Jones
Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr. (born November 12, 1944) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. & the M.G.'s. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known art ...
,
Dr. John
Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music encompassed New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B.
Active as a session musician from ...
,
Donald "Duck" Dunn, and the Saturday Night Live horns.
Later career
Carter owned Nugget Records in
Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Goodlettsville is a city in Davidson and Sumner counties, Tennessee. Goodlettsville was incorporated as a city in 1958 with a population of just over 3,000 residents; at the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 15,921 and in 2020 the ...
, for many years.
Songs including Jessi Colter's "I'm Not Lisa", were originally recorded at Nugget.
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album '' Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of '' Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (1 ...
recut his famed ''
Phases and Stages
''Phases and Stages'' is the 17th studio album by Willie Nelson, which followed the moderate success of his first Atlantic Records release, ''Shotgun Willie''. Nelson met producer Jerry Wexler at a party where Nelson sang songs from an album he ...
'' album with Carter at Nugget, after Nelson expressed dissatisfaction with the first version of the album cut in
Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Production credits for Carter include
Levon Helm's ''
American Son'' album on MCA Records,
and
Bobby Bridger's "Heal in the Wisdom". He helped
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...
and
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer and songwriter who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature int ...
land their first record deals.
Carter was a member of the band Levon Helm and The RCO All-Stars. This band was composed of Helm, Carter,
Steve Cropper,
Booker T. Jones
Booker Taliaferro Jones Jr. (born November 12, 1944) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. & the M.G.'s. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known art ...
,
Donald "Duck" Dunn,
Dr. John
Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music encompassed New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B.
Active as a session musician from ...
,
Paul Butterfield
Paul Vaughn Butterfield (December 17, 1942May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player, singer and band leader. After early training as a classical flautist, he developed an interest in blues harmonica. He explored the blues scene in his n ...
, and the NBC
Saturday Night Live
''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. ...
horns.
He had small roles in several films including ''
The Adventures of Huck Finn'' starring
Elijah Wood
Elijah Jordan Wood (born January 28, 1981) is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of Frodo Baggins in the ''Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy (2001–2003) and '' The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'' (2012).
Woo ...
.
Carter's daughter is singer
Deana Carter
Deana Kay Carter (born January 4, 1966) is an American country music singer-songwriter who broke through in 1996 with the release of her debut album '' Did I Shave My Legs for This?'', which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States ...
.
In 2008, he was profiled in an extensive article in ''
Fretboard Journal'', written by music journalist and historian Rich Kienzle.
Carter died on July 17, 2010, at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a medical provider with multiple hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as clinics and facilities throughout Middle Tennessee. VUMC is an independent non-profit organization, but maintains acad ...
in Nashville, following a stroke.
As sideman
* ''
Sounds of Silence'' -
Simon & Garfunkel (1966)
* ''
Any Day Now'' -
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...
(1968)
* ''
David's Album'' -
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...
(1969)
* ''
Bridge over Troubled Water'' -
Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
* ''Rock and Roll Resurrection'' -
Ronnie Hawkins
Ronald Cornett Hawkins (January 10, 1935 – May 29, 2022) was an American singer-songwriter, long based in Canada, whose career spanned more than half a century.
His career began in Arkansas, United States, where he was born and raised. He ...
(1972)
* ''
Angel Clare'' -
Art Garfunkel
Arthur Ira Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941) is an American singer, poet, and actor. He is best known for his partnership with Paul Simon in the folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel.
Highlights of Garfunkel's solo music career include one top-10 h ...
(1973)
* ''Giant of Rock 'n' Roll'' -
Ronnie Hawkins
Ronald Cornett Hawkins (January 10, 1935 – May 29, 2022) was an American singer-songwriter, long based in Canada, whose career spanned more than half a century.
His career began in Arkansas, United States, where he was born and raised. He ...
(1974)
* ''
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted m ...
'' -
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted m ...
(1976)
* ''
Love Lifted Me'' -
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted m ...
(1976)
* ''
Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars
''Levon Helm and the RCO All-Stars'' is a 1977 album by the short-lived musical group of the same name. It was Levon Helm's first studio album independent of The Band.
Track listing
# "Washer Woman" (Mac Rebennack)
# "The Tie That Binds" (Mac Re ...
'' -
Levon Helm (1977)
* ''
Love or Something Like It
''Love or Something Like It'' is the fifth studio album by country music superstar Kenny Rogers, released in 1978. It was Rogers' fourth #1 hit album.
Overview
The album's title cut (" Love or Something Like It") also topped the charts. Though th ...
'' -
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted m ...
(1978)
* ''
American Son'' -
Levon Helm (1980)
Honors
A highway marker was placed in Carter's hometown of
Winnsboro, Louisiana
Winnsboro is a city in, and the parish seat of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,910, down from 5,344 in 2000. The city is 59 percent African American. U.S. Highway 425 passes north–south t ...
, honoring him on Saturday, January 29, 2022, by the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail.
References
Further reading
* Betts, Stephen L., "Fred Carter, Jr., Famed Musician, Dies at 76", ''The Boot'',
AOL Music
AOL (stylized as Aol., formerly a company known as AOL Inc. and originally known as America Online) is an American web portal and online service provider based in New York City. It is a brand marketed by the current incarnation of Yahoo! Inc. ...
, July 19, 2010
* Schneider, Jason, "Nashville Guitar Legend Fred Carter Jr. Dies at 76", ''
Exclaim!'' magazine, July 22, 2010
* Skates, Sarah, "Lifenotes: Guitarist Fred Carter Jr.", ''Music Row'', July 19, 2010
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Fred
1933 births
2010 deaths
American session musicians
American blues guitarists
American country guitarists
American folk guitarists
American male bass guitarists
American rock guitarists
People from Winnsboro, Louisiana
musicians from Nashville, Tennessee
American country singers
American male singers
American country mandolinists
American country fiddlers
American country bass guitarists
20th-century American bass guitarists
Country musicians from Tennessee
Country musicians from Louisiana
20th-century American male musicians