The ever changing genre of country music
Country music has been an ever changing genre that evolves along with the lives of the people that listen and the artist that perform it. Today’s country music contains a wide variety of artists who have been influenced by the different subgenres that came before them. According to The Bedford Book of Genres “A genre is a composition’s kind, category, or sort. Genres give us a way to categorize or describe types of compositions”. (Braziller and Kleinfeld) Exactly what country music is today can be hard to define, but a look back at the history of the genre shows how it has adapted to the audience that listens to it and how current artist draw inspiration from it. There are two things we need to know
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about genres; “First, genres change according to the ways people use them” and “Second, genres are flexible”. (Braziller and Kleinfeld) The genre of country music shows just how flexible it is as it has evolved over the years. The music of artist like Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell defined honky-tonk with certain unmistakable features.
The music was turned up loud and the songs had themes dealing with drinking, cheating, and heartbreak. The music was made mainly for dancing so the beats were strong and rhythmic. It was mostly a man’s province that took the listener back to their country roots while addressing the new realities of life. The sound was more electrified with the beat heavier than traditional country and had a more realistic portrayal of modern American life. The honky-tonk influence continues to be heard today in the music of artist such as Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert and Alison …show more content…
Krauss. There was an attempt to broaden country music’s audience with a more mainstream sound in the 1960s, using strings and horn sections and excluding traditional instruments like the fiddle and banjo. There was a growing influence from pop music and the fresh sound drew new listeners to country music. Removing the rural influences made it more palatable to the masses and you can hear offspring of this in today’s music. The pop music sound is heard in artist such as Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes. As the 1970s began there was a movement from the pop infused sound of the 1960s to outlaw country. It had a grittier sound and sparse instrumentation. On the surface the songs seemed simple but their depth was revealed with further listens. Utilizing western imagery the songs told of a faster lifestyle that included struggle, heartbreak and crime. It seemed more like rock and roll with the outlaw country sound of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. The outlaw sound is heard today in artist such as Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, and Eric Church. The edge and grit of outlaw country gave way again to a pop country subgenre in the 1980s. The rhythms and instrumentation of songs by Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Krystal Gayle sounded more like what one would hear on a pop radio station. Electric guitars and keyboards were found in this arrangement and country hits were crossing over to be played on pop radio. There were thoughts that the artist were commercializing their sound for the sake of the greater sales and more listeners. Some wondered if the country music lifestyle had become a joke. Artists were accused of “selling out”, though not for the first time or the last. You can hear this sound today in the music of Taylor Swift. The music of George Strait, Ricky Skaggs and John Anderson made its way into the genre in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Neo-traditional country had a classic country arrangement using vintage instrumentation and twangy singing. Inspired by honky-tonk it combined with modern production techniques. It was a reaction to the pop sound that was the status quo in country music at the time. These artist looked to honky-tonk forebears for musical and styling cues, dressing in old school fashions to make the connection clear. Ricky Skaggs built legitimate bluegrass credibility by playing with Ralph Stanley before embarking on a solo career. Audiences had a desire for country music that kept an eye on the past even as it moved forward. The incredible success of traditionalists like Randy Travis and George Strait showed this even further as does the success of artist today such as Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. The 1990s gave a mixture of honky-tonk with the theatrics of 1970s arena rock.
The importance of the Garth Brooks and Shania Twain Era on modern day country can’t be overstated. Blockbuster sales set the bar impossibly high for those who came after. There was also a massive crossover appeal to Garth that made him the best-selling artist in the United States in the Soundscan era (after 1991). Country music purists at the time did not like Garth’s penchant for dramatic rock touches to his arena concerts or Shania’s exploitation of the MTV generation with her sexy videos. Regardless, they provided an extended high for the industry and country music continues to chase that incredible crossover success with artist like Taylor Swift.
Today’s country music shows influence of all that came before it. It has an enormous variety, from the guitar and piano pop of Hunter Hayes to the honky-tonk sound of Miranda Lambert. The genre’s catch all quality is why artist like Toby Keith appear on the same radio stations as Taylor
Swift. The wide variety that is seen today in country music shows how the genre continues to grow yet holds onto to the influences from its history. As time goes on there will no doubt be other new offshoots to this genre. Ones that thrills some fans will cause others to grumble and long for the days of “real country” just as it has been done in years past. It is a living genre whose themes and sound continue to change with the world.
Times have changed, and along with the times so has country music. American country music lovers have went from Loretta Lynn and Waylon Jennings, just two of the many classic oldies, to Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, two very appealing country music artists. However, it is not only the tune of the music that has changed, it is the image, the appeal, and overall the type of icons the media is portraying these modern music stars as. Icons such as Lynn and Jennings had identifiable features within their music as well as their appearance that spoke sweet southern belle and rugged twang. Whereas Underwood’s and Bryan’s appeal now is much more sexualized than it was during the oldies. These changes affect the way modern day singers are marketed compared to former country music stars, instead of focusing on talent it is now looks.
For almost 90 years, The Grand Ole Opry has withstood the test of time to become one of the tried and true traditions in country music. From the show's humble beginnings as an obscure radio program, to it's renowned place today as one of the premiere stages for music, The Grand Ole Opry has had an extremely colorful and interesting existence. Over the 88 years that have passed since the show's inception, The Grand Ole Opry has featured many talented performers. Those performers, along with social changes and economics, have all contributed to the growth and success of The Grand Ole Opry.
The music industry was impacted tremendously by both the rise and fall of Tin Pan Alley. This was the time in America that we saw the most songwriting done in popular music. It ranged from the 1890s to the 1950s. One of the reasons why Tin Pan Alley had such a huge impact on the popular music world was because of how good the Tin Pan Alley publishers were good at producing, promoting, and selling the popular songs (pg.106, Willoughby). They looked at what kind of music the majority of the population enjoyed and then wrote more songs like that. Also, Tin Pan Alley represented the way songs were written during these years in America. The chorus was always unforgettable with a catchy tune (pg.106, Willoughby). Tin Pan Alley songs, composers, and
What’s your favorite song? Sweater Weather? Counting Stars? How about Royals? Although it has always had a place in humanity's cultures and hearts, music wasn’t always as bold, flashy, and prominent as it is in this day and age; it took time to gradually evolve into what we consider to be “popular”, and many believe that one street in New York City was the start of such a great American evolution. Tin Pan Alley, one street among hundreds, and a piece of tragically overlooked American History; dating back to the late 1880's to past World War II, Tin Pan Alley played a critical role in peoples lives and attitudes throughout the early part of the 20th century.
Country music is one of the most popular genres of music throughout America. There are many influential figures that have changed the way country music sounds, and how people interpret it. Two important people who have made a huge impact on country music overtime are Johnny Cash and Luke Bryan. From their early life, their career, and how society views them, they have opened the minds of people and country musicians all over the country. Johnny Cash’s songs help people to experience his life growing up through the Great Depression and how people lived back then. Through Luke Bryan’s songs people could understand what life was like for Luke growing up in Georgia and all the hardships he faced. Johnny Cash and Luke Bryan are two of the many country singers that have influenced country fans to be more optimistic and hopeful.
Country music, as we know it today, was first called “Hillbilly music”. The name “Country” was not widely used until around the 1950s. The creation of this Hillbilly music, very much like American culture, was influenced from many different cultures and styles of music.
At the end of the day, racism and prejudice will always exist in some form for whatever reason is most convenient. Additionally, it’s not as if fans of country music are all raging bigots who dream of segregation and a return to slavery-driven southern values. After all, there are plenty of ‘southern pride’ songs that don’t feature race, nativism, and are beloved by most without an ulterior message that is appreciated by Stormfront. After all, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama features anti-segregation lyrics. Charlie Daniels Band wrote and performed The Devil Went Down to Georgia, lyrically referencing the south as far as Georgia by name alone. Yet both of these are hailed as quintessentially southern pride songs, meaning that southern pride isn’t the same as white pride. The reason the comparison matters, then, is because there is a significant overlap between the two. It is certainly possible to enjoy country music without wishing for a return to Aryan values, and the majority of country music doesn’t advocate it. But enough popular songs feature nativism as a theme to the point that it shouldn’t be ignored. There is a tangible connection between Southern Pride and nativism through music, and a definite connection between nativism and the White Pride movement. Music connects people and spreads ideas; culturally relevant music tends to stay around for a lifetime. Music has power, and the power of hate music is not one that should be
Taylor Swift’s debut album contained such songs as Our Song, Teardrops on my Guitar, and Picture to Burn. Swift’s approach is perhaps more country than the Dixie Chicks in a few regards. The banjo is featured throughout the record and more traditional country percussion, as well as more country-style lyrics. However, she stands out with a crystal-clear voice and excellent use of metaphor throughout her songwriting. In terms of musicality, Swift may not be the most gifted, aside from her voice. But in her songs, her personality shines through in a way that pulls light through into your ears, noted especially in her song Love
Country music originated in the Appalachian mountains of the Southern United States and has traditional folk roots that date from the early 20th century. The commercial history of country music began in the Southern United States in the 1920’s, during a ‘period of intense modernization’ (Ellison, 1995). It wasn’t until this time that country was considered a viable music genre. It was first identified as ‘hillbilly’ music in 1925 and later became known officially as ‘country’ by its designation on the Billboard Music charts (Shmoop, 2014). Widely considered the ‘Mother Church’ of country, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville became the home of many emerging and already established artists (Tichi, 1994:21). Coupled with the rise of radio and barn dance programs, country’s popularity increased greatly. Ellison (1995) describes country’s evolution from ‘rustic radio programs’ to a genre with an ‘extensive national network of fans unparalled in other forms of popular music’. During the 1930’s, the Great Depression assisted in the spread of country music throughout the US, with many poor unemployed Southerners migrating north, t...
Many would argue that country music isn't country anymore; straying too far from the older generation of fiddles, violins and guitars by incorporating a "pop" feel and focusing more on the beat than the content. Pop music is typically viewed as up-beat and differs from the sad, lonesome sounds of country from the past. I would agree that today's country has a very different sound than previous years, however, still incorporates the down-to-earth feel many of us can relate
Country music was brought over by the first European settlers. In medieval times, storytelling was a tradition that allowed history to be recorded when few were able to read and write. When the first British settlers came to America, they brought this tradition with them, along with songs that they had learned in Europe. The people who settled the Appalachian Mountains and the West did not have an easy life and their music gave them an outlet to express their hardships.
Many People listen to country music because that is their taste in music. Many country artist are Josh Turner, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, and many others but for one country music artist it’s not about his music. George Strait, a country music artist also supports charities, raise money, and helps money making foundations. George Strait is loved by everyone who listens to him and is talked about by many. George Strait made quite a name for his self and his career. George Strait becomes a hero by supporting chartists, making a foundation, and raising money for children.
Have you ever wanted to know about a famous West Virginian? West Virginia has a rich amount of history of music. It has Appalachian folk music, styles of fiddling, and ballad singing. Many of West Virginians love country music; one of the many country singers is Brad Paisley. Brad Paisley is one of the biggest country singers today. Brad paisley always loved country music. He has been playing guitar since eight years old.
...s on "sex, drugs, and other forms of license" by offering morality in "tales of love, heartache, family ties and middle-aged renewal" (Feiler 426). So, whether the music has conformed to values of the people or the people have realized the need for country values in their lives, the result is the same: the country music culture has paralleled the changing culture of America, and that bond will now be difficult to break.
The country- house poem developed into a literary genre in the early decades of the seventeenth- century. Aemilia Lanyer's, `The description of Cooke- ham', and Ben Jonson's, `To Penshurst' namely represent the small genre which flourished so briefly. These poems are much more than domestic architecture and are more than simple exercises in praising and pleasing a wealthy patron and the readership at large. In country- house poetry, poets use the conjunction of the ideal family (the patron's) and the ideal site (the estate and surrounding areas in which the patron and his/her family live) as a means of reflecting on social values, the nature of the good life, and the ways in which other households fall short of the mark. The country- house poem, in other words, can be a vehicle of social criticism as well as of praise. Lanyer and Jonson celebrate great places and the happiness that they enjoyed their; finding an Eden is truly rare, but the households survive in literature as paradises in their own right.