Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family

Discovering Mary Chapin Carpenter: My Distant Cousin and Musical Inspiration

Sometimes, you hear a name for years and think you know the person—only to discover later that you actually know very little. That was exactly my experience when I found out that I am a distant cousin of the incredible singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Mary and I are 19th cousins, once removed. Our shared ancestor is my 19th great-grandfather, Prince John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and Queen Philippa. Interestingly, Prince John was also Mary’s 18th great-grandfather. While our family trees overlap in other ways, this is the most recent common ancestor I’ve been able to trace.

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My Surprising Connection to Mary Chapin Carpenter

When I uncovered this connection while researching my paternal lineage, I initially thought Mary was a folk artist. Oddly, I hadn’t realized that I already owned several of her songs on my phone and knew many of them by heart—thanks to countless solo car karaoke sessions! I was genuinely embarrassed that I hadn’t immediately recognized the talent of such a gifted singer and songwriter.

After digging deeper into Mary Chapin Carpenter’s life and career, I found myself even more impressed. Born in 1958 in Princeton, New Jersey, Mary is the daughter of my 18th cousin twice removed, Mary Bowie Robertson, and Chapin Carpenter Jr. Like many children, she had a love for music growing up and played the guitar throughout high school. However, she didn’t initially have the “performance bug” that often drives teenage musicians.

It wasn’t until her father encouraged her to perform at a local bar’s open-mic night that Mary began her professional journey. There, she met guitarist John Jennings, who would become her longtime collaborator and producer.

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The Rise of Mary Chapin Carpenter

Mary released her debut album, Hometown Girl, in 1987, produced by John Jennings. Columbia Records later picked up the album and marketed her as a country singer—a label Mary found limiting. Her music transcends genre boundaries, showcasing her versatile vocal range and storytelling ability. Perhaps this is why I initially thought of her more as a folk singer in the style of Joan Baez.

Some of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s most memorable songs that I’ve loved over the years include:

• I Feel Lucky

• Down at the Twist and Shout

• Shut Up and Kiss Me

• I Take My Chances

• He Thinks He’ll Keep Her

• You Win Again

• Girls With Guitars

Her distinctive vocals and masterful acoustic guitar work make each song unmistakable. Even if I’ve heard dozens of her other tracks without remembering the titles, her talent always stands out.

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Experiencing Mary Chapin Carpenter Live from Home

Since discovering our family connection, I’ve even had the pleasure of enjoying Mary’s live performances on Twitter. Like many artists during the quarantine period, she has been sharing music from her home. Her vocals remain extraordinary, and her guitar playing is as captivating as ever. Bonus: her adorable golden lab, Angus, often joins her in these informal kitchen concerts. If you haven’t seen one of Mary’s at-home performances yet, it’s well worth checking out.

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A Proud Family Connection

Although I have not met Mary Chapin Carpenter in person—and I don’t share her songwriting, guitar, or vocal talents—I am grateful for the joy and inspiration her music has provided. It’s a unique thrill to know that such incredible talent is part of my extended family—and yes, that includes Angus too!