“Country
music is the people's music. It just speaks about real life and about truth and
it tells things how they really are.” – Faith Hill
Country music is one of the most popular forms of music in
the 20th century. Its origins
can be traced back when the early European immigrants came to America and
brought their traditional music from their homelands which first came as
ballads and songs from the British territories. Their early life in the Southern
Appalachian Mountains and the West was not easy and music was the only way to
express their feelings.
The banjo, which was
then the slaves’ version of the fiddle, was the only lead instrument of the
early American folk songs. It was first used and popularized in the rural
communities by the African-Americans. The development of country music was widely
influenced by the interaction of European, African and American cultures. Later in the 1900’s, the steel guitar and
drums came in as major accompanying instruments for this music.
The popularity of country music started to rise in the 1920’s
and it was often exclusively used to refer to hillbilly music. Its entrance to
America has remarkably flourished. In 1930’s, as radios came into the scene, it
rapidly became a popular form of entertainment. WSM's Grand Ol' Opry, soon
became a popular radio show in Nashville, Tennessee and gave rise to country
singer stars. This place was eventually known as the birthplace of country
music.
Country music’s stylistic origins primarily came from
maritime folk music, gospel, blues, bluegrass, anglo- celtic music, Appalachian
folk music and old-time music.
The development of other instruments such as the Bass
Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Piano, Drums and Electronic Keyboard made country
music more interesting to both young and old country musicians. The changing
instrumentation had dramatically drawn more country stars not only from
Nashville but across the United States.
Today, this music is one of the best-selling genres next to
rock and pop music. Country music has remarkably evolved and it is now often used
to describe a range of styles, fusion genres and subgenres.
Let’s take a glimpse of how country music has evolved and
how it paved a way for the prominence of today’s superstars. As always, music dictionary will be with you
along the way.
Early stars of
country music
Country music’s rise to fame was started by Jimmie Rodgers
and the Carter Family in the 1920’s. They were best known for the fusion of
country, blues, jazz, cowboy, gospel and folk. His “Blue Yodel” composition
became an instant hit that sold over a million records which catapulted him to
stardom in early country music.
The Hillbilly boogie
The popularity of Hillbilly music was sparked by Johnny
Bartfield’s recording of “Boogie Woogie” in 1939. The song quickly became a hit
and soon was considered the first country boogie. The “Freight Train Boogie”
was also a notable contribution to the combined journey of country music and
blues to the direction of another subgenre, the rockabilly.
Bluegrass, Folk and
Gospel
After World War II, Bluegrass, which actually came from the
name ”Blue Grass Band” the band name of Bill Monroe emerged, followed by Gospel and Folk music
that later replaced Hillbilly. This fusion named “country and Western” eventually
topped in the music charts in 1949.
The Nashville Sound
Country Music takes its toll in 1950-1960 when the Nashville
Sound was born. The blending of big band jazz, swing pop styling together with
storytelling refined country into a multi-million dollar industry replacing the
honky-tonk style. The adoption of the smooth elements was pioneered by the
Nashville A-Team. The Prominent musicians during this time were Jim Reeves and
Eddy Arnold and Jim Ed Brown.
Outlaw Country
Considered as a subgenre that revolutionized country music
in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Outlaw Country was inspired by the traditional honky
tonk sounds of the previous era. This style is often associated with, among
others, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. Gary Stewart. A number of other
sub-genres have emerged in the following years.
Alternative Country
One of the most popular sub-genres in the 90’s was
alternative country. 1990’s is a significant decade in the history of country
music where a diverse group of musicians and singers outside of the mainstream
country music converged and incorporated the influences of punk and alternative
styles. Ryan Adams, Lyle Lovett and Will Oldham were some of prominent
alternative country superstars during this decade.
20th
Century Superstars
A host of rock and
pop stars boldly crossed-over with country and the beautiful infusion of their
styles and music. Richard Marx with his “Days In Avalon” album, Bon Jovi and
Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Hootie and the Blowfish and George Strait were
among the popular artists who gained record-breaking success in this genre.
iMusic Dictionary is the most comprehensive online music dictionary. Learn more about the origin of country music, famous country artists and other country rhythms.
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