American Popular Music Analysis

Major social and economical changes occurred in the United States during the time of 1917-1935. At the beginning of the time period the United States military entered into World War I. Over the next twenty-three years’ important events that took place included the Eighteenth Amendment, starting prohibition, the Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the right to vote, and the United States entering into the Great Depression. In chapter three of American Popular Music the author describes these events in direct correlation to the music history. Major points regarding what influenced the nations culture and identity included the popularization of radio, the Jazz Age, and the successful Paul Whiteman.

Wireless communication across the country was something no one ever imagined. The creating of the commercial radio in 1920, created a feeling of belonging to many citizens of the United States. Starting off as a hobby for amateurs, radio quickly expanded. With the creation of NBC, and emerging radio stars like Ernie Hare and Billy Jones radio, families tuned in on a daily basis. Music was brought to lower income families who couldn’t afford to buy a piano. As well as streaming music, radio provided advertising outlets. Promotions regarding cigarettes, automobiles, and soap

companies were heard country wide. Without the radio the music industry would never have put in force the ASCAP. They protected composers, authors, and publishers from fraud. The ASCAP changed how the music industry functioned and kept new emerging artist safe.
Satchmo, Duke, and Joe Blade, are all nicknames for major performers during the Jazz Age.

The performers of the jazz age influenced the culture of the United States with the scandalous ballads they sang. The country’s style changed with women wearing their hair and dress seems shorter and men wearing their pants more relaxed. The new fad of music also effected the ballroom setting. Partners moved closer to each other and moved their hips more than ever before. Conservative citizens were appalled by the new styles of music. Jazz was created by the differing views of African American musicians in New Orleans. For the first time African Americans were able to gain the respect of their

trade.
Turning jazz into a more “safe” public version was the leader of the Ambassador Orchestra. Paul Whitman created symphonic jazz songs that sold out in stores faster than any other before him. His book Jazz refers to a “fever” or “small pox” continuing to discriminate blacks. Although Whiteman stated himself that Jazz can to America in chains, that did not change his views on African Americans. He continually contradicted him self with his prejudice of African Americans contributions to the jazz era. He still played an important role to jazz its self and this time period by creating music and being a businessman. He made it possible for jazz to become mainstream.
The title of chapter three is “catching small pox,” being that is a quote from Whiteman that is why I thought it was a main point. Also, the fact that the Jazz Age played such a huge role in society and the way people look at each other made it important. All in all, none of this would have been possible without the introduction to the radio.