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The history of country music essay
The history of country music essay
The history of country music essay
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I have listened to country music since I was a little, as did my husband. For him, it's a reminder of a simpler time, helping his father farm, plowing fields into the night. For me, it's a reminiscence of sunning myself in my backyard over summer vacation. The twangy sounds of the guitars and the fiddles always seemed to make me feel at home. For me, country music is a way of life, therefore the reasons I will use in an attempt to persuade you that country music is better than other music include its deep history in America, the quality and content of the music and its relatability. Originating in the south, country music is a mix of folk songs and sounds brought over from England by Anglo-Celtic immigrants in the 1700's. (1) It was established in the Appalachians and back-woods around the time of the revolution. To cure loneliness and isolation, mountain dwellers would sing songs that reminded them of home, keeping up with traditions. According to B.A. Botkin, " the folk…group is one that has been cut off from progress and has retained beliefs, customs and expressions with limited acceptance and acquired new ones in kind." (1)
In 1919, Cecil Sharp introduced this genre to the world by releasing "English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians" which would open the door for future country singers and songwriters. (1) Unlike the deep
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Many would argue that country music isn't country anymore; straying too far from the older generation of fiddles, violins and guitars by incorporating a "pop" feel and focusing more on the beat than the content. Pop music is typically viewed as up-beat and differs from the sad, lonesome sounds of country from the past. I would agree that today's country has a very different sound than previous years, however, still incorporates the down-to-earth feel many of us can relate
Country music, as we know it today, was first called “Hillbilly music”. The name “Country” was not widely used until around the 1950s. The creation of this Hillbilly music, very much like American culture, was influenced from many different cultures and styles of music.
Country music originated in the Appalachian mountains of the Southern United States and has traditional folk roots that date from the early 20th century. The commercial history of country music began in the Southern United States in the 1920’s, during a ‘period of intense modernization’ (Ellison, 1995). It wasn’t until this time that country was considered a viable music genre. It was first identified as ‘hillbilly’ music in 1925 and later became known officially as ‘country’ by its designation on the Billboard Music charts (Shmoop, 2014). Widely considered the ‘Mother Church’ of country, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville became the home of many emerging and already established artists (Tichi, 1994:21). Coupled with the rise of radio and barn dance programs, country’s popularity increased greatly. Ellison (1995) describes country’s evolution from ‘rustic radio programs’ to a genre with an ‘extensive national network of fans unparalled in other forms of popular music’. During the 1930’s, the Great Depression assisted in the spread of country music throughout the US, with many poor unemployed Southerners migrating north, t...
Sanneh, Kelefa. "Country Music? Whose Country?" The New York Times. 11 Nov. 2005. Web. 21 April 2011.
Although folk music played a big role in most of these artists’ performances, folk links back to the blues, and is similar...
I think classic rock is the best because it is true classic music. It is what started all rock of today. Classic rock is better than most rock days because it sounded way better back when the classic rock bands were popular. Today the “classic rock” is not as good as it was. Bands like Nirvana, The Beach Boys, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queen, Pink Floyd, etc, are the bands that started it all.
Thompson, Deborah J. “Searching for Silenced Voices in Appalachian Music.” GeoJournal 65, no. ½, Geography & Music (2006): 67-78.
In conclusion, Appalachian music can be defined as old time music, Appalachian folk music, country music, back woods country music and American Folk Music, but this type of music is and has been a staple in our society and has survived decades and with the beauty of the music it will hopefully continue for all time.
It should be brief but comprehensive, as it may also be the introduction of the music to teachers as a study guide before or after an in-school presentation, or they may include this information in a history of social studies discussion if a program presentation is not possible. Bluegrass Music: The Roots. The street balladry of the people who began migrating to America in the early 1600s is considered to be the roots of traditional American music. As the early Jamestown settlers began to spread out into the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Virginias, they composed new songs about day to day experiences in the new land. Since most of these people lived in rural areas, the songs reflected life on the farm or in the hills and this type of music was called "mountain music" or "country music." The invention of the phonograph and the onset of the radio in the early 1900s brought this old-time music out of the rural Southern mountains to people all over the United States.
Country music was brought over by the first European settlers. In medieval times, storytelling was a tradition that allowed history to be recorded when few were able to read and write. When the first British settlers came to America, they brought this tradition with them, along with songs that they had learned in Europe. The people who settled the Appalachian Mountains and the West did not have an easy life and their music gave them an outlet to express their hardships.
Country is definitely not my first choice. I really don't like how the country singers all have the same voice style. They sound the exact same. Also, a lot of country songs are all about the same topic. With that and the voices sounding alike, it really makes the songs sound like they are constantly on repeat. The tempos are usually slow and not upbeat. That doesn't make me feel happy like the hip-hop songs do.
1. Country music went to a crossroad in the mid-1950s that a new style called rockabilly emerged. Rockabilly was a style combining rock and roll and country music. According to “Country Music” published by “World Book” in Ebsco Host, “many early stars of rock and rockabilly had country roots, including Everly Brother and Elvis Presley”. As rock and roll thrived, the traditional western cowboy music declined in the 1960s, but another style, countrypolitan, which aimed at mainstream market, kept growing in the late 1960s.
Country music can be defined as a unique music genre. ”The songs often have repeated sections or refrains, and the words, are clear and prominent” (Yudkin 274). This helps not only get a song stuck in someone’s head, but makes it become more popular. There are so many voices, origins, and instrumentation that can be used to make pop country original and meaningful. “As one listens, the basic core formula, which consists of a straightforward chord progression, a resonating chorus or bridge, and a memorable story, will most often be the foundation of country music songs” (Turcotte). There are so many themes love, drinking, values, working, and loneliness. The artist also has to make it authentic with intimacy, and heart-felt songs. You hear a lot of different instruments during a country pop song. Mainly acoustic guitar, steel guitar, bass, and fiddle. Artists do not have a good ole country song with out powerful lyrics. Then it is up to the listener to interpret the song. Even with all the other genres out there these day country pop still finds a way to keep it characteristics
Randy Travis fans have been looking for updates on the country star, but there hasn't been a lot coming out lately. Now Randy's fans are finally hearing how he is doing after having a stroke three years ago. Taste of Country shared that Randy Travis went to a funeral on February 3 and the country singer actually performed while he was there as well. This is said to be Randy Travis' first public appearance since he had his stroke back in July of 2013. A lot of people thought that Randy might not make it and nobody really knew if he would ever perform again.
Pop music was contrived in the 1950s and 1960s, getting its style from many rock and roll superstars. Country music, however, was established in the 1920s, its style being influenced by the blues. In this day and age, modern pop is at its peak, being considered one of the most popular genres in America. Thirty years ago, nevertheless, country music was thought to be the favored genre among the two. Although many people admire both mainstream pop and old country, they are very distinct genres.
The 'Standard' of the 11 November 2006 http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar525600>. Wells, Paul F. "Country music." World Book Online Reference Center. 2006.