Conversation so far:
Where was Mary Chapin Carpenter born?
Carpenter was born in Princeton, New Jersey.
When did she start playing music?
Carpenter spent much of her time in high school playing the guitar and piano.
Were her parents musicians?
CANNOTANSWER.
Who were her early influences?
her musical interests defined chiefly by her sisters' albums of artists such as The Mamas & the Papas, The Beatles, and Judy Collins.

Question: Did she form any groups/bands as a young performer?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Mary Chapin Carpenter form any groups/bands as a young performer?