Biography
Who is Carlene Carter?
Early life and real name
Rebecca Carlene Smith was born in Nashville, United States. She is the daughter of June Carter Cash and Carl Smith. Her musical roots are tied to the famous Carter Family, as she is the granddaughter of Maybelle Carter.
Carlene attended Hendersonville High School during her youth. She has several siblings, including Rosanne Cash, John Carter Cash, Kathy Cash, Cindy Cash, Tara Cash, and Rosie Nix Adams.
Music career highlights
Her first solo recording was a track titled Friendly Gates, which appeared on a 1974 album by her stepfather, Johnny Cash. She later released her debut eponymous album in the late 1970s. In 1979, she performed the song Swap-Meat Rag at The Bottom Line in New York City.
Carlene co-wrote the song Easy From Now On for Emmylou Harris in 1978. Her career gained significant momentum in 1983 when she released the top-40 hit I Couldn't Say No with Robert Ellis Orrall. In 1987, she performed with The Carter Sisters, which included her mother and her mother's sisters, Helen and Anita Carter.
Later work and film appearances
In 1994, she appeared in the film Maverick as a waitress on a casino ship. That same year, she provided the voice for the character Red in the Williams pinball machine game Red & Ted's Road Show. She also released the album Little Love Letters in 1994, which featured the music video for Every Little Thing.
Carlene released the studio album Carter Girl for Rounder Records in 2014. This record included collaborations with artists such as Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, and Kris Kristofferson. In 2015, she served as the opening act for John Mellencamp during his Plain Spoken tour. She later worked with Mellencamp on his 2017 album Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, where she contributed vocals and songwriting.
Personal life and family
Carlene Carter has been married four times. Her previous marriages include unions with Joseph Simpkins Jr., Jack Wesley Routh, and Nick Lowe. She was also married to Joseph Breen from 2006 to 2020.
She was previously in a relationship with Howie Epstein, a bassist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In the late 1980s, she moved back to Nashville to focus on her music and maintain a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. She has since continued her work as a recording artist and musician.
Birthday and age
Carlene Carter was born on September 26, 1955, which makes Carlene 71 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Carlene shares the date with 65 other famous people.
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