Country Music Research Paper

Southern music known today as country music became popular in the 1920’s. This was music that was based on folk music of cowboys in the southeast (Collins English Dictionary, 2003). In most of the early music the artist played stringed instruments like fiddles, guitars, banjos and some were even playing harmonicas. When this type of music started some people called it

For my second question I asked how was country music invented. Well researching my questions I found that country music was not created in Nashville. It was created in Bristol,Tennessee. I also found out that

Traditionally, Country music has usually been associated as a white mans genre of music. Looking back over the history of this type of music one can attest to the fact that only a few artists fall outside this stereotype. For instance, you have musicians such as DeFord Bailey and Darius Rucker who have contributed so much to the genre through their works. However, as great as they are, there is one artist who has truly paved the way for African Americans in Country music and that is none other than Charlie Pride.

Knoxville, Tennessee is known for many things, especially known as a college town. Little did anyone know that on March 26, 1968 a superstar would be born, and the star would not be known for throwing, running, or catching footballs but singing (“Kenny Chesney.”)? The country genre did not know it for a while, but it had a person that was going to bring country music to new heights. With a mix of some traditional country music mix with some rock country and island country music it would make Kenny Chesney a very successful country artist.

Hank Williams was the most significant figure to emerge in country music during the immediate post World War II period.(Starr Pg. 237) Country music is a genre that came from the United states in the 1920s from the southeastern area. Most of it’s origin comes from folk music and many of the instruments that were used to play country music back in the day were a banjo, acoustic guitar, fiddle, mandolin, or an auto harp. Country music also happened to be one of the first genres of modern American popular music. Hank Williams also known as Hiram King Willams was born in Mount Olive, Alabama on September 17, 1923. When Hank was around eight years old he was given his first guitar and started to take music lessons from blues singer Rugus Payne also known as Tee Tot. After learning how to write his own songs and play the guitar

In the 1930s in the USA countrycontry (also known as honky tonk countrycontry back then) was stronglystrogly influencedinfluced by Blues, and jug bands. After that in the 1950s it achievedachivied a great mainstream by adding some elementselments of rock and roll whichwich this type of it can be called rockabilly. Also westernwestren swing was made whichwich had influencesinfluces from swing and bluegrass. Later, Nashville came into the picture makingmakeing something called Nashville sound. In the 1970s the most popularpoupoural version of this genegrene was outlaw countrycontry. In the late 1980s saw ubran cowboys bring some more infuncles thoughr 1990s.You can still hear contry today I encourge you to go out and do

It exemplifies the south by portraying an easy-going, enjoyable feeling as one listens to the music. The genre has gone from sounding like folk and bluegrass to sounding more like pop songs. The genre of country music is mainly listened to by Caucasian Americans. Jeffrey Manuel explains that “the classification of the southern plain folk was essential to the history of country music, for it identified a distinct white social group with a set of ideals and customs that correlated with those voiced through country music” (Manuel 421). There are not many African Americans that sing or enjoy country music.

Even the great Whitney Houston covered her song “I Will Always Love You.” Dolly Parton had many awards. She has Grammy awards for many of her songs; such as ‘9 to 5’, ‘Here You Come again’, and her album ‘Trio’, she has received 25 gold, platinum, and multi- platinum, has 153 awards and 413 nominations, she’s won 6 times female vocalist of the year, has won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won 9 grammy awards and was nominated for 47, won 11 Country Music Awards and was nominated for 46, won 12 CMT Music Awards and was nominated 48 times, and much more (“Who is Dolly Parton?...”) (List of awards and nominations received by Dolly

always been what we recognize it as today. Country music began in the 1920’s in a town in Tennessee called Bristol and was recognized for its hillbilly and folk format. Country music artists like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis are each responsible for creating this music format that was written mostly about everyday life. Today country music is recognized as a more modern contemporary version of music. Today’s country artists have started to change their sound in order to appeal to the mainstream audience in order to make more money. Miranda Lambert said “there’s been a shift: country music is popular now. Every other genre wants to come over to our land.”

This became to be known as the famous R&B. It is said that R&B “mixed the rural sound of the blues with the electrified edge and raucous rhythms of the city streets” (Yudkin 262). Key singers and musicians of this type of music were Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. Their singing and playing were characterized by speedy songs with an insatiable beat, and screaming lyrics. The other early influence on rock and roll was country music, in which R&B was mixed with western/country vibes. Famous country music singers/musicians of that time were Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, and the early sound of Elvis

Pulling a horse trailer, not too many people can do that in New York. Country people have an advantage which is not backing down from anything, and this is what the old country music use to be about. Lane Frost inspired most country musicians in the 90’s. That’s why there used to be so many songs written about bull riding and rodeos. The old stuff use to talk about hard working people, and just real up beat towards work, and nowadays nobody wants to even hear the word work. That’s why all the country music today is about drinking and partying. The newer artist are just trying to draw people into living the way they live. They drink on stage and go to bars in the town after a show. Most people don’t believe that’s what country music is

Country music originated in the 1920s in Tennessee. The genre was influenced by folk music from the Appalachian Mountains and revolved around themes of love, faith,

Country music has

As a long time fan of country music, I completely agree that this type of music is becoming more dynamic. I think that is a common theme across all genres, but it is evident that country is making drastic changes as of recent. Country has been changing to appease the masses. With the boom of pop music, we saw artists such as Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan. With a mass appeal of rap, we saw songs like "Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean that was even later remixed to add Ludacris to the track. It worries me that country is too focused on appealing to modern trends and the masses, rather than sticking to it's roots and the core of country music. It will be interesting to see how country music evolves over time and where it will end up next.

Another source that will help with a certain aspect of understanding Americana music is the journal article “Nashville and Americana Music” by Garrett Harper and Chris Cotton. I think one of the most important aspects of Americana music is that it truly is American music, and I don’t want my research to be pigeon-holed into one particular style from one location. There is no denying, however, Nashville’s influence on just about all popular music styles, especially those that are related to country or Southern music. I’m sure this source will be useful.