U.S. singing group.
It consisted of Alvin Pleasant Carter (18911960), his wife Sara (18981979), and his sister-in-law Maybelle (190978). Natives of Virginia, they began their career began in 1927. Over 14 years, with various combinations of Carter daughters, they recorded more than 300 songs from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including "Wabash Cannonball," "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes," "Wildwood Flower," and "Keep on the Sunny Side." They helped popularize Appalachian folk songs. After the original group broke up in 1941, members continued to perform under the Carter family name, "Mother" Maybelle Carter performing with her daughters and later with her son-in-law Johnny Cash . The Original Carter Family was the first group admitted (1970) to the Country Music Hall of Fame.