Carter, Sarah (1898–1979)

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Carter, Sarah (1898–1979)

American singer and instrumentalist. Born Sarah Dougherty in Flat Woods, Virginia, July 21, 1899; died Jan 8, 1979; dau. of Elizabeth and Sevier Dougherty; m. A.P. (Alvin Pleasant) Carter (bandleader), June 18, 1915 (div. 1933); m. Coy Bayes, 1939; children: (1st m.) Gladys Carter (b. 1919); Jeanette Carter (b. 1923); Joe (b. 1927).

Played autoharp, guitar, banjo and fiddle; initially performed non-professionally with cousin Madge Addington; with husband A.P. and cousin Maybelle Carter, served as lead singer and instrumentalist for the Carter Family; came out of retirement briefly to play a reunion concert and to tour on the folk circuit with Maybelle for a year (mid-1960s). Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (Oct 1970).

See also Women in World History.

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