Picture of the day - September 16, 2007

My "image" of Janette Carter

When A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter made their now-famous drive from Maces Springs, Virginia to Bristol in order to "make a record" for Ralph Peer and the Victor Talking Machine Company, they surely had no idea just how much their wonderful music would eventually influence countless musicians and music in virtually every genre. Their recordings from those "Bristol Sessions" way back in the summer of 1927 made The Carter Family a household name and helped transform the world of music forever. The Carter Family went on to produce, record and perform many of the world's most popular songs during their storied career, and upon his deathbed A.P. asked his daughter Janette to do whatever she could to keep their music alive. She promised him that she would try her very best to do so, and she kept that promise and more by creating and operating the Carter Family Fold where she personally hosted the weekly "Old Time Music Show" for some three decades before passing away in January 2006. Today, Janette's "kids" Rita Forrester and Dale Jett are still keeping their mom's solemn promise to their grandfather by keeping the Fold and the show alive and well in keeping with her wishes. In every way, Janette Carter was one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever met. About the second or third time that Cheria and I went to the Carter Fold, I walked up onto the stage before the show began and asked her if I could take her picture. She had absolutely no clue who I was, but she gave me a big smile and said one word: "Yes". She picked up her trademark autoharp and struck a pose that would make a professional model jealous, and after snapping off a couple of shots I thanked her and returned to my seat in the audience. The following day I printed and framed an 8x10 photograph from that wonderful image, and before the next Saturday's show began I carried it up onto the stage and over to where Janette was sitting. I asked her if she remembered me taking her picture the week before, and she said she did. After I handed her the picture I saw a tear run down her cheek as she said the following words: "I guess I've had my picture taken 500 times, and you're the only person who ever brought me one." My guess is that her picture had been taken more like 5,000 times, and I was extremely moved by her obvious appreciation for what I had done. We chatted for a minute or two, then I went back to my seat to enjoy the show. When Cheria and I returned to the Fold the following week, I saw my picture of Janette sitting front and center among the others up on the stage, and it's still up there today sitting on the edge of the piano right beside the Holy Bible. On the day of her passing, all of the local news outlets and a number of national publications used my picture of Janette for their stories, and it's wonderful knowing that the last (or perhaps only) picture of this amazing lady that millions of people saw was the one that I took. I'll never forget Janette Carter's kind and loving personality, her beautiful smile, or the way she treated this country boy from the hills of southwestern Virginia each and every time I had the opportunity to speak to her. She never really knew me as anyone other than a devoted fan and "the fellow who took that picture", but to me she was a great friend who always did her very best to make everyone feel as if the Carter Fold was their home away from home. She truly was an amazing lady, and thanks to her hard work, dedication and strong influence on her children, the Carter Family Fold is one amazing place.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"