How the country Music of that Era Helped - Research Paper Example

How the country Music of that Era Helped Country music has its beginning in music styles brought over by first European settlers. In the medieval times, storytelling was the tradition that helped in recording the important events of the history. The British settlers introduced this tradition to America. While the country music initially began with ballads and the songs of British Isles but the content and the concept changed in America. The people who settled in Appalachian Mountains and West faced very hard lives, and their music was the outlet of their hardships.

After Great Depression and Sand Storm, Americans not only suffered financial break down but also emotional turmoil .Country music came out as a solace. Country music of this era has a profound impact on American’s subconscious. This music provided individuality to the nation. Americans identify themselves with Country singing. American country ballads were subjective and secular in nature. The music of that time is also known as Old time music and Mountain music. The year 1920 saw the first generation of Southern performers called hillybilly in Commercial music.

The music of that era was recorded and sold but with the onset of Great Depression, people could not afford buying records but were able to enjoy free music on radio. Radio stations in 1920s were hungry for the live performances of the country singers and since then the popularity of this genre grew. The popularity of radio shows led to the creation of Barn dances. Various forms of country songs became popular like Rock and Roll, Dansband, Southern Rock and Heartland Rock. The cousins Owen Gentry and Cook formed Alabama, the popular Rock Band, in 1969.

They were known by the name Young Country. They first played at High school talent contest, won the first prize, and gradually decided to make music their full time career. They renamed it Wild Country and later called it Alabama. Alabama gave a new facet to the country music. They are not only famous for their soulful southern ballads that Writer 2 stirred emotions in women of all ages but also catered to the enthusiasm and the spirit of the youth of that era. As Galante remarks, “They really have a way of saying something different.

” He further adds that they have a mesmerizing capacity to twist a little phrase or guitar lick and then giving melody an entirely new approach. Their blend of country music and southern rock combined with the elements of gospel and Pop music gave it a crossover appeal and extraordinary success. “Immortalized recently by the Country music hall of fame, super group Alabama stands forever in the town.” Another country star, Troyal Garth Brooks enjoyed tremendous success in the 1990s.He became a phenomenon in the country singing.

His capability to integrate pop and rock elements in his singing made him a heartthrob. Garth’s integration of rock elements in his recordings and the live performances made him popular. He dominated the country single and country album charts. “He soon began to dominate the country singles and country albums charts and quickly crossed over into the mainstream pop arena, selling records like no one else in country music ever had and exposing country music to a larger audience than previously thought possible.

” The country music of that era has no doubt, helped in the development of these bands. The country music offered varieties and the new genres in music. Since its origin, the country music is patron by various high caliber artists who took this music to great heights. These artists must have been a great influence and helped in the development of Alabama and Garth Brooks. By the time Alabama and Brooks arrived into music arena, they got introduced to Ballads, Traditional tunes, Country songs, Gospel hymns, Southeastern Folklores, Barn dance, Jazz , Singing cow boys , Western swings, Country boogie, Honky tonk and Country Rock.

They experimented with the variety available to them and achieved the present heights in the country music. Works cited History of Country Music, The Country Music planet.Web.10th April.2011. Our voice the Times- Journal dated 6 October 2008.Web.10th April.2011. The Alabama Band .Web 10th April.2011.