Origin of Country Music - Term Paper Example

Country Music April 26th OUTLINE Introduction Background of country music Different Forms of Country Music Hillbilly Boogies Blue glass and gospel music Rockabilly Honky Tonk. Instruments in country music Fiddles Accordion Banjos Guitars Artists in Country Music John Carson Jimmy Rogers Samantha and Eva Davis The Carter family Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks Ray Charles The Charlie Daniels band Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Conclusion References Country Music Introduction The first thing that comes to the minds of many people at the mention of country music is an image of crooners in wide brimmed stensons, cowboy boots and guitars stringing away a melancholic tune. The older ones might even recall terms like hillbilly. While there is much truth in the assumptions based on historical recollections, country music is much more. This music has been played for generations and persists today. While the original singers and followers would be pretty much summed up by the above description, it has over the years transcended a myriad of cultural, social, and even geographical barriers making it able to hold its own among all the other genres of music of today such as hip-hop jazz and blues. In fact, a deconstruction of the structure and histories of many genres especially the rock and metal music, which is so popular in America today although by all appearances very far, removed from the sober country music would show a connection closer than the majority would expect. I will seek to examine the origin of country music, its history and the genres from which it evolved from, its past singers. Moreover, I will evaluate the different forms in which it existed and still does the instruments that were used, its evolution and over times and the influence it has had to other genres of music today as well as their influence to it. Background of Country Music The early beginning of country music can be traced back to the British island from the styles brought in by the early settlers to the new world these immigrants mostly settled around the Marine time provinces and southern Appalachian Mountains (Country music planet 4). These regions are regarded by many as the cradles of country music in the United States. They brought along with them their most prized possessions and among these were musical instruments like the fiddles from Scotland, which became so popular that the early musicians were often referred to as fiddlers. Considering the European love for telling tales; however, the songs came in very hardy since very few could read and most of the country songs tell simple and straightforward stories with easy to understand lyrics and language. The inhabitants who lived in the Appalachian Mountains and the West did not contain an easy life and their music gave them an exit to convey their adversities (Country music planet 3). However, the origins are not only European another of the most famous original instruments was the banjo brought from Africa in the slave trade. White country singers who were by the most popular were fascinated and influenced by black sounds, songs and images (Lewis p 52). The first official appearances of country music began around 1910, when John Lomax published cowboy’s songs, and Cecil Sharp later followed suit when he also published songs from the Appalachian Mountains. These two events initiated the interest in the music, and in 1922, the first record of old time music was done by Eek Robertson, a Texan fiddler (Scaruffi 1). With time, the genre took shape independently and proved quite versatile by moving away from the sentimental and love focused content of the British. The Americans customized it and unlike the British who “…had several themes of the mystical, loves found and lost, violent happenings and avenging spirits. In America, the songs developed into extremely biased and private, downplayed the mystical, and, in songs of offenses, highlighted the wickedness act while minimizing the jab” (Country music planet 1). During this time, there existed several related genres of the country ranging from folk to hillbilly. The first radio stations begun to play rock music around 1922 and, as a result, became more popular. In the 1930s and 1940s, cowboy songs became more popular, as Hollywood begun using them in movies. It was around this time, according to Bill Malone, that country music expanded and spread all over America, because of the war, people from the rural areas were brought to close contact with town people. Consequently, there was integration of different cultures and here country music’s popularity and character were affected as gained national attention and recognition (p.178). Different Forms of Country Music There were different types of country music with the differences being caused by a wide variety of reasons. Music from different parts of the country would reflect on the cultural and cultural/racial diversity. It also reflected the instruments available to the people. The different periods and events in history made the music dynamic. After the Second World War, for instance music about peace became popular as people tried to cope with post war memories. The many faces of country music included Hillbilly Boogies, which were first recorded around 1939 and the music, which later came to be known as country boogies, this term was latter dropped since it was considered politically incorrect. Boogie Woogies whose origin is still debatable is said to have originated from West Africa. They used Banjos and later guitars and pianos. This period witnessed a release of “freight train” by the Delmore brothers and then, after the end of world war, there was blue glass and gospel music, which was all about peace. Another genre popular especially among the poor whites in Texas was Honky Tonk. Tonk denoted pianos but honky has many controversial interpretations such as referring to “white” a derogatory term for immigrants from Europe. The music was also originally common in less than respectable premises like bar with brothels. In addition, it was influenced by music from across the borders in Mexico, and mixes of South American music including the blacks leading to it to popularity in the region. This was followed by rockabilly that attracted many prolific musicians like Elvis and Jonny Cash. Later there was outlaw pop, country pop, neo country and the wave has swept on engulfing and becoming part of many other music types. Indeed, in the 21st century many of the rock musicians have tried their hands in country music like Taylor swift and Bon Jovi. When the same people sang hard rock songs like Bon Jovi’s “it’s my life”, their country versions are often referred to as soft rock. However, to date country music is made famous by the likes of Dolly Parton. This is what most people consider authentic country music, but they have also ventured into pop and they blend both. Earliest Instruments used in Country Music One of the earliest and most popular instruments accompanying rock music was the fiddle, which as aforementioned can be traced back to Scotland. It was a violin and owed its popularity, not only from the magnificent music it made, but also from the fact that it was easy to make and carry around, as well as being inexpensive. This was extremely beneficial since the original musicians in the mountains of the south were not very wealthy, and had to do with what little they could obtain cheaply. The other early instrument was the accordion, which is a reed insistent that make sounds through pushing of keyboard-controlled valves; it was mostly used in cowboy music and tejano in Mexico (Country music hall of fame and museum 2). The others are Banjos, stringed instruments that trace their origin from Africa especially West Africa where they originated. They were brought along in the slave trade, and are categorized into four or five stringed instruments, which are easily the most recognizable instruments in country music in early times. Today they have been improved, and there are electric ones, although they are not used, as much as they were in retrospect. It is and has been more popular with genres like blue glass. The bass was also used as it would provide a “rhythmic bottom for the middle line” (country music hall of fame and museum 4). There was also the Dobro built in the 1920s and which has become increasingly popular to date. Despite the original frowning upon of drums by early country musicians, since they were considered not to be pure enough, they came to be later accepted and are a common future of country music today. In addition, there were guitars that turned around the face of country music and contemporary rock. Initially they were played, as second fiddle, to other instruments, but later the musicians came to embrace them and they became a prominent part of country music in the past and today. Other instruments popular then included the harmonicas, mandolins and pedal steel guitars which, however, are mostly uncommon today having been overshadowed by guitars and pianos. It is notable that the reason the more traditional instruments are losing ground to the newer ones as the likes of the guitars can easily be connected to electronic devices for amplification. As time goes by, technology keeps changing and the instruments of country music inevitably change with it. One of the most significant changes is the use of digitally generated music. These are easy to use and one does not need to be able to pay musical instruments like the guitar that can take time and a lot of effort. There have been changes in the instruments that have taken place. In modern times it has become possible to generate music using a computer and not requiring the learning of any instruments. Using technology in devices like Percussas, Audio Cubes and Kaossilatoras among others, country music can and is at some level being made in the studio with computers as opposed to the traditional instruments. While it has been criticized for being too artificial, it is a trend common in many genres of music and country music will benefit a great deal from this change. Artists in Country Music Many artists have played different parts in making country music what it is today, some of the very early artists in the 1920s included John Carson who recorded “a little log cabin” Carl Sprague from Texas recorded the first cowboy song title the singing cowboy. There were also female musicians like Samantha Bum Gummer and Eva Davis who recorded the hit song “Aunt”. Jimmy Rogers, who has been referred as the father of country music, came into the scenes in the year 1927, and one of his first and best songs included blue yodel. The Carter family often referred to, as the first family of country music, consisted of A.P. Carter his wife Sarah Carter and his sister in-law Maybell Addington. They were highly successful and made over 300 ballads. In the late twenties after their successful songs realized in 1927 these include “Keep on the sunny side” and "wild flower". These two are often held as benchmarks for the country to date (Dooly 3). Two of the top selling artists of all times, and easily the most famous ones in their times and beyond were; Elvis Presley, also popularly known as the hillbilly cat, and Garth Brooks who sold 128 million albums in the United States (Aces and Eights par 2). In 1962, Ray Charles the blind, black musician turned to country music, and he was able to top the charts and was rated third for the year after his hit “I cannot stop loving you”. Neo country music revolutionized the scene in the 1980s with traditional songs like "“the devil went to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels band. Sales went up to greater heights than even before. The charts were dominated by country music from these musicians with Kenny Rogers "lady", Parton’s "9 to 5" and Edie Rabbit’s “I love a rainy night” the two maestros Rogers and Dolly Parton united to perform "Islands in the stream” which became one often greatest hits of all time. Today, most country music fans will have a hard time choosing who the best is. This is because everyone has their unique preferences, however, if one was to go by the billboard top ten as of now. It would be the likes of David Nail, Luke Bryan, and Eric Church among others. It is interesting to note even with the recent economic problems in 2006 when music sales of most genres went down, the sales of country music still stood tall and the sales increased by 17.7 percent. Country music fans who listen it actively has remained steady nationwide for decades moreover, it has reached 77.7 million adult weekly according to radio rating agency. In the past, the lyric of country music have been centered on romantic themes lost love and remising about the god old days. While this may have appealed to the older generation, it does not reflect on the younger ones. However, considering the participation of the likes of Taylor swift performing songs like “love story” it is easier to understand why it is so easy for the younger generation to be attracted to the genre because of not only the music but also even the singers. Notably most are youthful musicians with a like audience that does not, in most events, care or even realize the music they are listening tan voting for is country music. The graphics in the video are also a great improving from the simple style that have characterized country music in the past another reason it attracts the youths. The setting is becoming, and will no doubt become increasingly urban and the move from “country”. This will enable the now urban populations relate to the content of the music since majority of the target audience for any music lives in towns and cities. The music will also depend more on the aforementioned computer and electronic tools rather than the convectional instruments in posterity. Conclusion There is a joke that the reason country music sells so well, is that most of the buyers do not know how to download music free online. Bearing in mind, many of the listeners are the older generation this might have a point. However, country music is no longer the reserve of the conservative older generations, and albeit not in the same format, it was, hundred years ago, the same people who download Bon Jovi and Shania Twain still listen to country music in one of its many forms and genres. It has from its humble origins (literally) in a way because of its ability to blend and exist in harmony with other genres made it remain relevant and popular even today, crossing over racial cultural and age lines to a great, timeless music. Works Cited Dooly, Sean. The History of Country Music. About. Com Music. Country Music, n.d, Web. 26 April 2012. http://countrymusic.about.com/od/trivia/tp/HistoryofCountryMusic.htm Scaruffi, Piero. History of Popular Music. A brief history of country music, n.d, Web. 26 April 2012 http://www.scaruffi.com/history/country.html Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum. Origins of Country Music, 2001. Web. 26 April 2012 http://countrymusichalloffame.org/origins-of-country-music Country Music Planet. History of Country Music. The Country Music Planet, 2004. Web. 26 April 2012 http://www.countrymusicplanet.com/history/ Aces and Eights. History of Country, n.d.Web. 26 April 2012. http://www.acesandeighths.com/Country.html Lewis, H. George. 1993: All That Glitters: Country Music in America Popular Music Series. New Hampshire: Popular Press, 1993. Print Malone, Bill C. Country Music, U.S.A. Austin, Texas. University Of Texas Press. 2002. Print Read More