Fred Carter, Jr.

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Fred Carter, Jr. is a renowned guitarist, singer and composer, who became one of the most respected and influential guitarists of his generation. Beginning his professional career in the 1950s, the record charts are replete with his fingerprints across a number of genres. Though based in Nashville and serving as one its premier session guitarists, his influence can be heard on recordings as diverse as Muddy Waters, The Band, and Simon and Garfunkel.

Raised in the heart of the southern Delta country, he grew up with the heavy musical influences of jazz, country & western, hymns, and blues. These elements fused to form rock and roll in the 1950's and Fred was a significant part of this development. He spent two years with Roy Orbison during his heydey in the late 50's. He then worked with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, and was principal guitarist for Dale Hawkins of "Suzie Q" fame.

Fred settled into the Nashville session scene in the early 1960's, becoming one of its most prominent players for the next two decades. His influence was not confined to Nashville however and he was a fixture in the folk music genre of the late 1960's and early 1970's. Fred can be heard on a multitude of Simon and Garfunkel classics - most notably "The Boxer" in which he played four guitars, including the memorable finger-picking intro and conclusion. He can also be heard playing bass on Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay as well as principal guitar with Joan Baez, Neal Young, The Band and others. Fred was instrumental in bringing these acts to Nashville to record, helping Nashville's music landscape expand beyond its traditional boundaries. This influence can be heard on songs such as "The Boxer" which includes harmonica legend Charlie McCoy who Fred brought in to be part of the record.

Interestingly, Fred did not make the guitar his principle instrument until he was in his early 20's, having been a lifelong fiddle and mandolin player. Also of note, Fred has been widely reported to been Robbie Robertson's guitar teacher in the early days of touring with Ronnie Hawkins.

Fred's daughter is Deana Carter, a CMA award winning artist in her own right.