With equal parts grit and gracefulness, Nashville-based, Gastonia, North Carolina-born singer Cora Carpenter emulates her Appalachian roots with a voice that No Depression hailed as “powerful.” Descended from a long line of musicians who performed with the likes of bluegrass icon Earl Scruggs, Carpenter has been charming audiences internationally during performances with critically acclaimed folksinger Josh Okeefe, sharing stages with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Rufus Wainwright and many others. Although Carpenter hadn’t been pursuing a singing career until Okeefe wrangled her into the studio to join him in a duet, the pair’s “I Won’t Let You Down” video for the popular GemsOnVHS YouTube channel has, to date, racked up in excess of 250,000 views and their gutsy take on the Johnny Cash-June Carter classic, “Jackson,” earned rave reviews. “Her timeless voice is the secret weapon,” says Okeefe. “An angelic hillbilly, kick-you-in-your-shins type… without her there is no Josh Okeefe show!” In addition to appearing at such prestigious events as the Woody Guthrie Festival, Greenbelt Festival and Folk Alliance, Carpenter is featured on Okeefe’s self-titled album, as well as his Live from Muscle Shoals LP.