I’m going to take you back to 1927: The first transatlantic telephone call is made. Cesar Chavez is born. Lizzy Borden dies and the Yankees (big surprise) win the World Series. But also in 1927 one of the greatest and under appreciated country and gospel groups was formed: The Carter Family. The original Carter Family consisted of “Mother” Maybelle Carter, A.P Carter and Sara Carter. (A real family forming a group you jest!) They took folk songs from the back waters of America that might not have ever reached the ears of the public, arranged and recorded them to share with the masses. Now you might be thinking, “Shannon you have gone nuts if you think I am going to listen to bluegrass, country, gospel music.” You’re right I have gone little nuts, every so often you need to take a step outside of your musical box. But then these performers aren’t that far outside my box. I grew up listening to them. No I am not a time traveler, I do not own a Tardis or a Delorean; my father listened to them while I was growing up, so I got into them. There is something about The Carter Family that is almost relaxing; like it could turn you into pudding if you let it. Their harmonies are fantastic as well as the composition of the songs musically. Though the group spilt up for a few years, they reformed with their adult children, one of whom Sara, married Johnny Cash the notorious “Man in Black.” So the Carters where pretty much the first family of country and bluegrass. But I must make it clear that the Carters brand of country was and is far different than the country that is out there today. It has a much more earthy and simple feel to it, (but is anything but simple to play!) compared to the sound of country today which is not so much down home and foot taping as it is poppy and sugary with the occasional “I am so sad my baby left me lyric”. One of The Carter Family best songs would have to be “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” a song with beautiful harmonies and autoharp and guitar work, but you can truly feel the power of the song, in the a-cappella form. The song tells the story (don’t you just love songs that actually tell a story? I do) of a group of brothers and sisters whose mother has just died and how the circle of life continues while their mother has found “a better home in the sky.” One of my favorite verses in the song is: “I said to that undertaker, undertaker please drive slow. For this lady you are hauling,Lord, I hate to see here go. Will the circle be unbroken, by and by, lord, by and by, there’s a better home a-waiting in the sky, lord, in the sky”You can hear the passion in these lyrics, and truly feel it when you hear The Carter Family perform them. So open up your mind a give this brand of country a try.