In this day and age, pop, R&B and Hip-Pop music dominates American Radio Station at every turn. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Pink, Usher, Maroon5 and many are commonplace names among teenagers and younger people not only in the United States, but all around the world. Especially, when you listen to the radio those songs will repeat whole day from all the stations. I tried to get used to those beats and like it. I thought this must be American modern culture. As a foreign student, I want to learn American culture and also want to fit in it. Until one day I met my friend Christie, a pretty girl from Nashville. Still remembered that day when I got into her car, she smiled and asked me what kind of music I like before she turned on the radio? This surprised me a little bit. Then she shyly explained that since she is from southern of United States, she loves country music and she also set a country music channel in her car. On the way back home she introduced history of country music to me and we listened to lot of country music during the time. Her eyes lighted up when she told me about the country music, I can tell how proud she is because she is from the city which is the center of country music. Christie told me she loves country music because she grew up country, its part of her life the stories country songs tell describe her life. From then on, I started my journey of country music. I started to search and study country music. Once I get into it, I feel like it deeply attracted me. Sometimes when you get sick of the heavy metal, drum-set and rap stuff, which the beat and rhythms of pop sound the same to me, country music is like a green tea in your life, simple ,distinct but endless aftertastes. I am so glad I found another pure land of American culture.
Country music is a kind of contemporary pop music, originated in the southern United States and Appalachia mountains. Country music is rooted in the 1920s from the traditional folk music, integrated with Gospel music, Celtic music and classical music. The melody of country music is generally very smooth, beautiful and the phrasing structure also is simple. The most common instruments used in country music include the fiddle violin, banjo, and slide-guitar. When I was listening to it, I felt like country music is journal of person’s life, it can also relate to your own life. You can find a country song for any mood you are in, any emotion you want to express. Country music can put your spirits where they need to be, when I am down a song can lift me up, or if I feel like crying a tear in my wine, there is a song for that too.
I tried to google and listen to the different country music from 1930’s to present, from Jimmie Rodgers to Taylor Swift, which amazed me a lot from this music journey. It’s like time traveling through American history. In the 1950s, people more like to talk about love and money. In the 1960s, songs were often full of anger, and some of them made fun of the political leaders. During the 1990s, American country music has become more and more popular. Song writers are no longer writing about the modern values of USA—money, success or expensive things to buy. Instead they are writing once more about things that are common for everyone.
Who is the first real country star? I think it must goes to Jimmie Rodgers which American also called him country music’s father. It seems as if he has been long forgotten today. But his music’s influence is huge. He refined the hillbilly style of music which was music for poor people. I think his songs also reflect the great depression of the 1920s and 1930s, one of the greatest economic crises to face the United States. He reached the hearts of millions of people around the world, and lifts them up. Jimmie Rodgers first became a legend and hero during that time. I think the key he brought to country music was heart. In Gambling Bar Room Blues, you can hear the pain in his voice
Country Music from the 1940s Through the 1950s Changes in the Recording Industry -In the 1930s there were basically three types of radio stations: the large networks, the network afilliates,and the idependent stations. -Agroup called the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) was in control of the song copyrights. -At the end of the National Broadcasters Company’s contract, ASCAP wanted it renewed at the price of 9 million dollars. -NAB ofcourse said no way and developed…
the times, country music has changed drastically but it is still an easy way to illustrate the behaviors of people during both periods. Music has and always will be a gateway to emotions. Many people express their emotions, or even life stories through writing music. Almost acting as a crystal ball, it allows us to take a look into the past and get a feeling for what the artist was going through at the particular time. This has always been a big influence on America considering that music is a driving…
Country Music Eric Jones Brief History • The origins of country music are said to be from Southern Appalachian fiddle players from the late 1910s • Country music did not become a well known and accepted genre until the 1920s • Eck Robertson made the first commercial country record in 1922 • The first national country hit was in 1924, and it was “Wreck the Old ‘97” by Vernon Dalhart The Father of Country Music • Jimmie Rodgers is known as the Father of Country Music • He was the first artist…
Jake Thomas Gender Disputes in Country Music For many years there have been issues in country music regarding gender and the roles that the male or female has involved with this industry. This can sometimes vary depending on who is involved or what the circumstances are. In the nineteenth century there was constant problems with gender is issues, but that has changed dramatically. They used to be viewed as someone that had no passion for music and were often dupes to men when it came to desire and…
For my ethnographic research I wanted to better understand the history/evolution of country music, and the stereo-types that people have about country music but attending two country music concerts. The first concert I attended was Lady Antebellum, since coming together in Nashville in 2006, the group has quickly risen to fame. Lady Antebellum has won Vocal group of the year award three years in a row. Eight of their singles went gold and four went platinum. All of this success has been achieved…
Music Differences, Young and Old All types of music tend to tell a story. Sometimes the stories are happy and sometimes they are heartbreaking, and sometimes they just want to make you stand up and cut a rug. Personally, I listen to all types of music, but I find that rap music and country music are my go to genres that keep me listening to the radio all day long. One could describe the two with this simple definition; country music comes from the country, and rap comes from the city. There…
2012 How "The Man in Black” Changed Music There have been several extraordinary artists who have changed music, but there is only one artist who has been deemed the philosopher of American country music. Johnny Cash, an American hero to many, is known for his incredibly unique voice and his storytelling through country and rock music. Cash, one of the most well known American musical artists, shows how the world can be changed through music. However, Cash did not get there easily; throughout…
post-World War II country music, but this never would have happened without the influence from Hank Williams and Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter. Cash inherited many genres of singing from influences of his and mashed them all up and created his own subgenre. Most of the music genres he inherited were from Hank Williams such as cowboy music, traditional country, gospel and folk music. In most of Cash’s songs he usually “threw in a little bit of gospel” to make him stand out in the music world. Many people…
Music Analysis Most people listen to different types of music though out there life. I listened to the same type of music my whole life. When I was little, I listen to country because that is all my parents listened to. My older sister listened to rap. Therefore I got a taste of both types. Rock and classic I really didn’t listen to. Now days do I listen to it? No it is as eye catching to me then it would for most people. As I got older I started to listen to pop because its very up beat and nice…
Throughout history music has changed in a big way. As Jacob of Liege said in 1425 “Music was originally discreet, seemly, simple, masculine, and of good morals. Have not the moderns rendered it lascivious beyond measure”. Which makes me think music was very calm and with meaningful lyrics back in these days. Then as we get to the 20th century we can hear all types of new music like hip hop, techno, R&B, country, rock, alternative, reggae, classical, and much more. Today’s modern age of music will include…