It is with deep sadness that we pass along the news that legendary musician Fred Carter Jr. passed away on Saturday, July 17 from stroke-related causes at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Mr. Carter was a "Life" member of Local 257 who joined on January 9, 1962.  

Born in the Louisiana delta in 1933, Fred Carter, Jr. was raised in an environment that favored both hard work and great music. Like all seminal musicians, artists, and writers born to the pre-war American South, Carter cut his teeth on country, blues, gospel, and jazz, combining them all into the art form that would later become Rock and Roll. A consummate musician, Carter held the guitar chair on recording sessions and live performances for artists of every musical genre. Carter began his career as staff guitarist on the legendary Louisiana Hayride, working alongside Horace Logan and a revolving cast of country hitmakers. After leaving the Hayride, Carter played a significant role in the development of Rockabilly and Rock and Roll through his guitar work with Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, Dale Hawkins, and Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks. 

 Settling in Nashville in the late 1950's, Carter quickly moved into the "A-Team," first-call session work that defines the Nashville recording industry. There, Carter worked with a steady stream of legendary recording artists, including country greats such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. His influence was not confined to Nashville however, and he was a fixture in the folk music genre of the late 1960s and early 1970s.  Fred contributed to the classics of Simon & Garfunkel (most notably "The Boxer" in which, we understand, he played four guitars, including the memorable finger-picking intro and conclusion), Bob Dylan (including bass on "Lay Lady Lay"), and Muddy Waters. Throughout his career, Carter maintained a lifelong association with Levon Helm, including Helm's RCO All-Stars, which included Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Booker T. and the MG's, Dr. John, Paul Butterfield, and the "Saturday Night Live" Horns.  Carter was also a prolific songwriter, writing alongside the likes of Harlan Howard, Willie Nelson, and Hank Cochran.  Carter's songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as Dean Martin, Chet Atkins, and Burl Ives.  Through his varied associations, Carter played a critical role in broadening Nashville's musical persona beyond its traditional country borders, serving to integrate Nashville into the larger musical acceptance in which it finds itself today.

 Carter was the third of seven children born to Fred and Hattie "Tillie" Carter of Winnsboro, Louisiana.  A loving husband and father, Carter is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anna; his sons, Ronnie and Jeff; his daughter, recording artist Deana Carter; and his five grandchildren.

The funeral will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home with burial immediately following in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held preceding the service from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

We ask you to please keep Mr. Carter, wife Anna, his family and friends in your thoughts, hearts and prayers. Mr. Carter will be missed by many.