June Carter Cash’s daughter, Carlene Carter, is weighing in on Beyoncé’s buzzworthy new country album Cowboy Carter. It turns out that the veteran country crooner is singing nothing but praise for Bey.
Carlene is the daughter of June Carter Cash and Carl Smith, stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, and granddaughter of Maybelle Carter from the Carter Family. She made her professional debut with the song “Friendly Gates” on her stepfather’s album The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me.
It seems June Carter’s daughter felt the need to publicly voice her support for Beyoncé. In a statement obtained by Variety, Carlene welcomed Beyonce as a fellow Carter.
“I’ve caught wind of some negativity over the release of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, her new country album,” Carlene began. “As a Carter Girl myself and coming from a long line of Carter Girls, I’m moved to ask why anyone would treat a Carter this way?”
“I am delighted to know that Carter spunk is in her just like it’s been through nearly 100 years of us Carters choosing to follow our hearts,” she continued. “Hearts that are filled with love not just for country music but for all kinds of music.”
“Here’s a warm welcome to the Carter Girl Club! It’s only a matter of time before those nay-sayers become Bey sayers,” Carlene concluded.
How Beyoncé Ties Into the Legacy of June Carter
Of course, Beyoncé’ became an official Carter when she married Shawn Corey Carter, AKA Jay-Z. In essence, Cowboy Carter is a self-titled Country music debut for the veteran artist.
Carlene Carter, a renowned singer and songwriter, has had a successful career in country music. She debuted her first solo album in the late 1970s and achieved her initial top 40 hit in 1983.
Transitioning into the late 1980s, Carter collaborated with her mother and aunts to resurrect the iconic Carter Family band, now known as The Carter Sisters.
Of course, The Carter Family was a folk ensemble active from 1927 to 1956. They are often acknowledged for laying the foundation of bluegrass music during that era.
Transitioning from vocal presentations to country music, the group’s inception involved Sara Carter, A.P. Carter (Sara’s husband), and Maybelle Carter (Sara’s sister-in-law and first cousin).
The Carter Family’s second generation flourished in Texas, as the offspring of A.P. and Sara, alongside Maybelle’s children, united for shows in San Antonio. Following the departure of some group members, Maybelle continued performing with her daughters June, Anita, and Helen.