Mother Maybelle Carter was a pioneering American country music singer and musician, born on May 30, 1909, in Virginia. She was a key member of the Carter Family, one of the first and most influential groups in country music history. Known for her distinctive guitar playing style, she popularized the use of the "Carter Scratch," a fingerpicking technique that became a hallmark of country music. Throughout her career, Mother Maybelle contributed to the development of the genre, recording numerous songs that are now considered classics. She was also the mother of June Carter Cash, who married Johnny Cash, further intertwining her legacy with the broader history of American music.