The Twang Gang

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How has rhythm and blues influenced country music? Rhythm and blues is responsible for revolutionizing country music in that it helped create a new “twang” sound. Through research we found that rhythm and blues may have even saved country music from extinction. Because the soulful sounds made by rhythm and blues artists are constantly changing, attracting newer and younger audiences is not an issue the rhythm and blues industry has. Therefore modern country music is attempting to diversify by incorporating rhythm and blues elements into its traditional mix so that the sounds will stay fresh, the music can reach a broader audience, and so that people can understand the similarities the two genres share.

The problem country music is facing is that it cannot seem to keep up with the fast pace music industry. Country songs have always consisted of a lonely cowboy singing sad songs. For a long period of time the expectations of country artists have not exceeded beyond slow guitar melodies. When a young, white artist Marty Stuart decided it was time to compose and play his own way, the country music industry was waking to the realization that the urban cowboy fad with all its easy sales had passed. They were also realizing that too much country music sounded alike, and that it needed fresh blood and a fresh sound. It needed to evolve (Clendinen 13). Stuart noticed the downfall country music had when it came to newer sounds, and took on the task of solving the problem by trading the front porch fiddle for the electrifying electric guitar. Stuart’s electric guitar not only created fresher sounds, but it also helped open the ears of a younger generation of country music listeners.

Attracting young listeners is the main goal of almost e...

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"Chuck Berry." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2011): 1. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

Cronin, Peter. "Country, R&B acts unite for MCA duets set." Billboard 106.4 (1994): 1. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

DUDLEY CLENDINEN, Special to the New York Times. "COUNTRY MUSIC WOOS NEW LISTENERS." New York Times 04 Aug. 1986: 13. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

Sturma, Michael. "The Politics of Dancing: When Rock 'n' Roll Came to Australia." Journal of Popular Culture 25.4 (1992): 123-142. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

"INSIDE TRACK." Billboard 119.21 (2007): 66. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

Shults, Lynn. "Country corner." Billboard 106.35 (1994): 36. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

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