Carrier, Cotton (Joseph W.), ca.1919-1994.

Born near Arthur, Kentucky, Joseph "Cotton" Carrier proved himself proficient on the mandolin, guitar, and fiddle at an early age. As a member of such early country music groups as Goober and His Kentuckians and later, The Plantation Gang, Carrier presented himself as a talented musician. It was reportedly his personality, however, that landed him the position of emcee on WSB Radio's popular "Barn Dance" program in 1941. After a hiatus between 1942 and 1946, when Carrier served in the army, he returned to Atlanta and WSB to become a well-known broadcaster. During his time with WSB, Carrier maintained a high profile, appearing on "Barn Dance," "The Dixie Farm And Home Hour," "Cracker Barrel," and "Georgia Jubilee." In the 1950s, Carrier continued performing as a vocalist and guitarist for Boots Woodall and the TV Cowboys on Atlanta's WAGA-TV. Later in his career, Cotton Carrier worked alternately as a songwriter and promoter. In 1953, The Smith Brothers, an Atlanta gospel quartet, scored a hit with Carrier's song "I Have But One Goal." As a promoter, Carrier was equally successful, booking Elvis Presley's first Atlanta appearance in 1955. In 1957, he joined the Lowery Music Group as a record promoter and in 1980 he was named General Professional Manager for Lowery Music Group. He died in 1994 at the age of 75.