By Ken Paulson
Describing Elizabeth Cook and Carlene Carter as kindred spirits doesn’t begin to cover it. We were about 10 minutes into our conversation with Elizabeth when Carlene dropped by. What followed was a highly entertaining, engaging and candid conversation about both women’s lives and careers – and how the two first connected.
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By Ken Paulson
Carlene Carter (photo by P. Paulson)
It was a treat to see Carlene Carter present an award at the Americana Music Awards on the stage of the Ryman Wednesday night, particularly when the Cash-Carter family was so well-represented.
Nominee Rosanne Cash performed, as did her former husband and Johnny Cash son-in-law Rodney Crowell. If Americana has a first family, this is it.
We spoke to Carlene briefly backstage, reminiscing about her appearance at the very first Americana Music Association Awards show in 2002 at a nearby hotel ballroom. It was an extraordinary night, with June Carter and the Carter Family – including Carlene and her daughter Tiffany – performing with Johnny Cash.
12 years later, many of us still see that performance as the Big Bang that made the current successful and expansive Americana Music Association Conference and Festival possible.
Carlene has an outstanding new album called Carter Girl, which includes some Carter Family songs and a nod to her heritage.
There’s also a new and very interesting interview with Carlene by Glide Magazine. You’ll find the interview here.