Ric Cartey was an American singer and songwriter notable in the rockabilly genre, active primarily during the 1950s. His distinctive style combined elements of country and rhythm and blues, which contributed to the burgeoning rock 'n' roll movement. Though not achieving significant commercial success in his own performing career, Cartey's greatest contribution to music history was writing the hit song "Young Love," which became a chart-topping single for both Sonny James and Tab Hunter in 1957. His influence as a songwriter significantly shaped the sound of popular music in the late 1950s.