Thursday, February 16, 2012

Musical Terms – Country Music


“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.

No comments:

Post a Comment