Bristol, Tennessee: A Brief History Of Country Music

Music has the power to impact the lives of humans like no other. One of the most popular genres of music is country. Whether it be the way we relate to lyrics, or the way that a melody makes us feel, we can’t deny the influential value of country music. Everyday billions of people around the world rely on country music to get them through the day. In its one hundred year history, country music has certainly developed and has always remained significant. Country music was not always as prominent as it is today, it had to start somewhere. Bristol, Tennessee is recognized by our government as the official “birthplace” of the country music genre. Bristol is located in Tennessee, but is very close to the border of Virginia as well. The British

With the rise of technology, the recording industry was taking the country by storm. Artists were now able to record music and transmit it around the nation. However, most recordings took place in New York City which was inconvenient for folk artists in the south. In 1927, a man by the name of Ralph Peer decided to take advantage of the growing market for music in the mountains. He searched for a prime spot and landed in Bristol, Tennessee. There, Ralph Peer got in contact with local artists and held recording sessions now known as the “Bristol Sessions”. The bristol sessions are credited as the main catalyst in the birth of country music. Ralph Peer’s trip to Bristol was a success and country music was officially

They signed to Victor Records, which was the label that Ralph Peer worked for. Jimmie Rodgers is considered by many today as the father of country music. His single “Blue Yodel #1” was the first of its kind to sell one million records. From there, he took the country music scene by storm and remains one of the greatest of all time even 80 years after his death. The Carter family, was a group that sang a form of older mountain music. Some of their hit songs are regarded as classics today, and their success also helped pave the way for country groups after them. While they may have not been the first country artists ever, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter family are considered the “founding fathers” of country music. Country music was derived from a folk sound but has developed in many ways. Songs from the genre usually include instruments such as the guitar, banjo, drum, fiddle, harmonica, piano and many other instruments. Since the south is where country music's most popular, it is usually easy to identify the southern accent of country artists. The lyrics of these songs are usually very important. Most country artists use their platform to tell stories of their life. Songs told stories of good times and bad times and the consumer was able to relate. The stories told in the songs made country music increasingly