Singer. In 1959, James Carter was serving time on a prison chain gang at the State Penitentiary in Mississippi. Folk music historian Alan Lomax came to the prison where he recorded the old traditional song "Po Lazarus" sung by convicts as they chopped wood. Lomax called the group James Carter and the Prisoners. Over forty years later, the original recording of "Po Lazarus" began the soundtrack and movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou." By then, Carter had moved to Chicago and settled into a quiet life after leaving prison. He was tracked down by the Alan Lomax Archives who presented him with a royalty check of $20,000. Weeks later, he boarded his first flight ever to attend the Grammy Awards. The soundtrack's producer T Bone Burnett said of Carter's performance, "It just made a deep impression. It was such a beautiful version, a soulful version of a great song."
Singer. In 1959, James Carter was serving time on a prison chain gang at the State Penitentiary in Mississippi. Folk music historian Alan Lomax came to the prison where he recorded the old traditional song "Po Lazarus" sung by convicts as they chopped wood. Lomax called the group James Carter and the Prisoners. Over forty years later, the original recording of "Po Lazarus" began the soundtrack and movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou." By then, Carter had moved to Chicago and settled into a quiet life after leaving prison. He was tracked down by the Alan Lomax Archives who presented him with a royalty check of $20,000. Weeks later, he boarded his first flight ever to attend the Grammy Awards. The soundtrack's producer T Bone Burnett said of Carter's performance, "It just made a deep impression. It was such a beautiful version, a soulful version of a great song."
Bio by: Evening Blues
Gravesite Details
Grave is unmarked.
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