The sound
The musical character
Born Anita Jean Grilli in Memphis, Tennessee, 1927, Anita Kerr helped shape the Nashville sound as a skilled arranger, conductor, and vocalist. She formed the Anita Kerr Quartet, which evolved into The Anita Kerr Singers — a premier backing vocal unit in Nashville during the 1950s and 1960s. Her precise harmonies and inventive arrangements supported some of music’s greatest names, while her leadership behind the scenes left an enduring mark on American popular music.