But the guitarist's luck changed when the Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle, among the most popular performers on WNOX, added him to their touring band.

In 1943 Sara quit singing for good, and Maybelle started a new band, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with her daughters as permanent members.

He was on the bill with Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.

Mother Maybelle, 1964.

In the early 60s, Cash toured with the Carter Family, which by this time regularly included Mother Maybelle's daughters, Anita, June and Helen.

Mother Maybelle and the Carter sisters are prominently featured in the Cash recording singing harmony.

By 1950 Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters were regulars at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry.

This broadcast would serve as their first commercially sponsored program and their first radio debut as "Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters."

Another of Mother Maybelle's three daughters, June Carter Cash, and her husband, Johnny Cash, both died last year.

Throughout the recording career of the Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle, much of the time, all four group members had individual recording contracts as well.