Maces Springs is a small settlement on Route 614, a spur off Route 421 that cuts through Poor Valley, in Scott County, Virginia. The settlement consists of a small number of houses and the population is around 200 residents, most of whom live off the road up in the hills. There are now no stores in Maces Springs and its main claim to fame is its association with the country music group, the Carter Family. Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter also known as "Doc" or "AP" was born in Maces Springs and in 1914 he brought his sixteen year old bride Sara Dougherty Carter to live there. They are both buried in the graveyard behind Mount Vernon Methodist Church. AP, Sara and AP's sister in law Maybelle Carter formed the Carter Family in 1927. Scott County is a county located in the state of Virginia. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Official languages English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Tim Kaine (D-Governor Elect) Senators John Warner (R) George Allen (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 35th 110,862 km² 7. ... Country music, also called country and western music or country-western, is an amalgam of popular musical forms developed in the Southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, Celtic Music, Blues, Gospel music, and Old-time music. ... Maybelle, A.P. and Sara The Carter Family was a rural country music group that performed and recorded between 1927 and 1943. ... A.P. Carter (December 15, 1891 – November 7, 1960) was an American Country music musician. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Sara Carter (July 21, 1898 – January 8, 1979) was an American Country music musician. ... Maybelle Carter (May 10, 1909 – October 23, 1978) was an American Country music musician. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Route 614 is now called the AP Carter Highway and two of AP and Sara's children, Joe (now deceased, 2005) and Janette, have opened a music hall called "The Carter Fold" on the Clinch Mountain side of the road. The Carter Family Fold features traditional country music every Saturday much like that sung and played by the Carter Family. The Carter Family Fold is a site dedicated to the preservation and performance of old time country and folk music. ...

Further reading

• In The Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music, Nicholas Dawidoff, Vintage Books, 1998. ISBN 0-375-70082-x