Carter, Carlene (1955–)

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Carter, Carlene (1955–)

American rock and country music singer, songwriter, guitar and pianist. Born Rebecca Carlene Smith in Madison, Tennessee, Sept 26, 1955; dau. of June Carter Cash (b. 1929) and Carl Smith; stepsister of Rosanne Cash (1955–); m. Joe Simpkins, 1970 (div.); m. Jack Routh, 1974 (div.); m. Nick Lowe, 1979 (div.).

Began playing piano at 6, studying classical music; at 10, began strumming the guitar after instructions from grandmother Maybelle Carter; recorded 1st album (1977), a collection of piano-based pop songs performed with Graham Parker's band Rumor; recorded albums Two Sides of Every Woman (1979) and Musical Shapes (1980), and was praised for single "Musical Shapes," a "fusion of rock and country"; toured regularly with the Carter Family (1987–88); co-wrote most of the songs for her album I Fell in Love (1990), as well as Little Love Letters (1993); released Little Acts of Treason (1995).

See also Women in World History.

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