taffywasathief - Posted - 11/12/2015:  04:28:49

I've been on a big Stanley Brothers kick for awhile now and just can't seem to get enough of Carter's voice (even when it isn't being backed by Ralph's distinctive vocals).   When I'm listening to a lot of Lester Flatt, or especially Bill Monroe, I'll get a little tired of their voice over time.  Not knowing anything about singing or vocal stylings, what would you say are the distinctive characteristics of Carter's voice? (especially compared to the other giants in bluegrass or country music).  There must be something I'm really digging, but I'm not really sure what it is.  

pastorharry - Posted - 11/13/2015:  01:12:52

Smooth as syrup, non effected , sincere. He had a good range, he and Larry Sparks are two of my all time favorite male singers....deep soul and power, while still remaining humble.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/13/2015:  02:47:08

Best lead singer ever.  I think his lack of any affectation made him so easily listenable.

chuckv97 - Posted - 11/13/2015:  07:01:55

Soulful, with a slight pain in his voice. Larry Sparks, Roy Lee Centers , Keith Whitley and other former Clinch Mountain Boys had that great singing style.

J.Albert - Posted - 11/14/2015:  16:24:52

I believe that Bill Monroe described Carter as being the most natural singer he'd ever heard...

RioStat - Posted - 11/16/2015:  03:54:47

His voice had a soulful, sincere honesty to it. 

Carter (and Ralph) didn't just sing about things, he sang about things he had experienced, seen, and lived through.

I've heard that Carter would be standing on stage, or in the studio, singing one of those old hymns or "Mother" songs, with tears running down his cheeks.

5stringJim - Posted - 11/17/2015:  15:58:46

Brilliant singer. Don't underestimate the "Blues" quality in Carter's voice either......"The Memory of your Smile " has to be one of the ultimate mountain-blues songs I've ever heard !!

Wykowski - Posted - 11/19/2015:  08:35:28

RELAXED, Carter sounds relaxed when he sings even on fast songs.

9470 Granada - Posted - 11/20/2015:  07:13:40

Carter was a true stylist. He sang the way he felt... i.e. He sang "honest".  It's hard to take many lead singers "for real" these days. Most have never lived what they are singing about. To me the best "Stanley School" singer is Larry Sparks. I'm thankful to have worked and recorded with him for several years.

-Jim