I finished a very compelling book last night: Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone? by Charles Hirshberg and Mark Zwonitzer. It's about the Carter family (the singing one, not the presidential one), and although I know very little of that family, and probably none of their music, it was really, really interesting. It seems like the story of two women, in truth--Sara and Maybelle Carter--and maybe that's why it was so good. The other Carters, besides maybe A.P., are bit players. In fact, the end of this story--the end that includes Johnny Cash and June Carter--is more familiar to me, just because of the film a few years ago. And now I'm really, really interested to read something about June Carter Cash, because her mother's story was so fantastic to read. Also, fascinating historical figures become bit players in this story too; Chet Atkins, Hank Williams, and Elvis Presley, just to name a few. I think that a movie about the Carter family would be awesome, actually. Forget Johnny Cash and June Carter as a movie, and just make the early story of Sara, A.P. and Maybelle a film.
I do now feel like I should listen to some Carter family music, because honestly, I can't think of one song of theirs I've heard--even the ones that were re-recorded or covered by other people. I probably won't like it very much, though maybe that's bad to say without hearing a little bit. But I don't really enjoy country music at all, especially the old stuff. It's just that the music doesn't have to be enjoyable for reading about the lives of the people to be.
I guess if you like music, though, it's a good story to know. The Carters' music is certainly important to country in the long run, and it's always good to know your music history.
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