Country Music Traditions
Country music is not just another genre of music; much like Judaism or Catholicism are not “just” religions, country music has a tradition, a lineage. It started in the rural areas of the Southern U.S. during the 1920s (Cole, p. 9). Like many other genres, the traditions of country music have changed with the times and with society. Through a mix of American folk, Western, and certain Blues modes, country music has evolved through multiple generations to reach the level it has today.
Country music was a federation of styles, with its origins mixed through colonization—such as Scottish reels, Irish jigs, and square dances—however, the lyrics were completely different. They focused on practical issues such as real-world experiences, including ranching, logging, mining, and railroads, as well as including real-world tragedies of the time, including bank robberies, natural disasters, murders, and train accidents (Scaruffi). The instruments used in this genre include the banjo, Scottish fiddle, and the Spanish guitar. According to Scaruffi, the role of these instruments was more rhythmic than melodic since most performances were solo and without percussion instruments.
While John Lomax published “Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads” in 1910 and Cecil Sharp began publishing hundreds of folk songs in the Cumberland Mountains between Kentucky and Tennessee in 1916, the first generation of country music did not truly start until in the 1920s (Scaruffi). In 1922, Eck Robertson cut the first record of “old-time music,” creating the myth of the Appalachians as remote sanctuaries of simple, noble life, whose inhabitants—the mountaineers—embodied the true American spirit. During the same year and moving forward, radio stations throughout the Southern United States started broadcasting folk songs due to their audiences.
In 1925 the Grand Ole Opry aired for the first time debuting several new country artists and bands. The Grand Ole Opry, then and now, was one of the big “lift-offs” for country music. To this day, it serves as a reminder of the significant influence that country music has brought to the world.
The second generation of Country music ran through the 1930s and 1940s. This period included and incorporated Western, Bluegrass, folk, and gospel music from artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Rogers, Patsy Montana, Bob Wills, as well as Hank Williams. The decade which saw the worst economic depression of the century also saw the emergence of two new styles of country music: honky-tonk and western swing (Scaruffi). The invention of the electric guitar and Hammond organ helped evolve the genre even further. The 1940s were mainly the years of honky-tonk music, which demonstrated the first urban form of country music and driving away from traditional Appalachian music.
The third generation of country music—which saw the rise of artists such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Skeeter Davis, Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard—evolved over the 1950s and 1960s and started to incorporate some of the components of other popular music types, including rock and roll. In 1956, a hybrid of the increasingly popular rock-and-roll movement clashed with country music, bringing forth what would be called “rockabilly” (Morrison). In 1956, Elvis Presley converted to country music, playing a huge role in the industry. Toward the end of the 1960s, there was a great decline in Western music and the image of the cowboy, with the evolution of modern society.
The fourth generation of country music evolved over the 1970s and 1980s, incorporating what was called “outlaw” country. Popular figures during this period included Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Hank Williams Jr., David Allen Coe, Lynn Anderson, Dolly Parton, John Denver, The Charlie Daniels Band, George Strait, The Judd’s, Travis Tritt and many others. The era also gave rise to country pop, and a neo-traditionalist movement, with roots in the Nashville sound, folk music, and soft rock.
During the 1990s, country music became more available through the actions of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This action led to an expansion of FM radio by adding a number of high fidelity FM signals to rural and suburban areas. As a result, country music moved from the AM stations to picking up broadcasts on FM stations. Country music became a worldwide phenomenon in the early 1990s thanks to the contributions of Garth Brooks (Reuters, A18). There were many other artist topping the charts such as Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks but not one of them led the charts like Garth Brooks.
As country music moved into the early 21st century, the focus has shifted into a more alternative style. Many artists such as Sugarland, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Scotty McCreery, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Florida Georgia Line collaborated with popular artists of other genres (Rock and Roll, Hip Hop/R & B artists) to create crossover songs—utilizing a blend which often received mainstream notice. The greatest trend that country music has kept is maintaining its traditions. While rock and other genres pride themselves on “breaking out” and creating new traditions, the artists and others involved in country music continuously attempt to preserve the traditions and roots which brought country music to life.
Country music left a profound impact on the American subconscious. It provided the United States with an identity—pop music was seen as a creation of Europe, and as European stars toured the U.S., they were often hyped much more and seen as the “real thing” (Scaruffi). Country music, on the other hand, was uniquely American. The artists and audiences were American, the songs depicted American life, and its “sound” is credited as American. Nashville is well-known not only for the Country Music Hall of Fame or The Grand Ole Opry, but any American immediately associates “Nashville” with country music.
Today country music has gone global and there are numerous country artists as well as songwriter recognition programs such as the Country Music Awards (CMAs), along with country stars being awarded in the American Music Awards (AMAs) and Video Music Awards (VMAs). Country celebrities also serve in opening acts for many sporting and entertainment events.
From the beginning, country music put emphasis on the story first, followed by the voice, and finally the musical arrangement. It was devoted to various individual or collective issues, but very secular in nature. It was unique in its logic; characters were constantly trying to make sense of their lives, culture, and surroundings. That created a much stronger magical element which accepted the human condition as inevitable.
Country Music has become a key element in today’s society as it’s not just music or a genre its words that have emotions and effect all types of people’s lives one way or another.
Country music was a federation of styles, with its origins mixed through colonization—such as Scottish reels, Irish jigs, and square dances—however, the lyrics were completely different. They focused on practical issues such as real-world experiences, including ranching, logging, mining, and railroads, as well as including real-world tragedies of the time, including bank robberies, natural disasters, murders, and train accidents (Scaruffi). The instruments used in this genre include the banjo, Scottish fiddle, and the Spanish guitar. According to Scaruffi, the role of these instruments was more rhythmic than melodic since most performances were solo and without percussion instruments.
While John Lomax published “Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads” in 1910 and Cecil Sharp began publishing hundreds of folk songs in the Cumberland Mountains between Kentucky and Tennessee in 1916, the first generation of country music did not truly start until in the 1920s (Scaruffi). In 1922, Eck Robertson cut the first record of “old-time music,” creating the myth of the Appalachians as remote sanctuaries of simple, noble life, whose inhabitants—the mountaineers—embodied the true American spirit. During the same year and moving forward, radio stations throughout the Southern United States started broadcasting folk songs due to their audiences.
In 1925 the Grand Ole Opry aired for the first time debuting several new country artists and bands. The Grand Ole Opry, then and now, was one of the big “lift-offs” for country music. To this day, it serves as a reminder of the significant influence that country music has brought to the world.
The second generation of Country music ran through the 1930s and 1940s. This period included and incorporated Western, Bluegrass, folk, and gospel music from artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Rogers, Patsy Montana, Bob Wills, as well as Hank Williams. The decade which saw the worst economic depression of the century also saw the emergence of two new styles of country music: honky-tonk and western swing (Scaruffi). The invention of the electric guitar and Hammond organ helped evolve the genre even further. The 1940s were mainly the years of honky-tonk music, which demonstrated the first urban form of country music and driving away from traditional Appalachian music.
The third generation of country music—which saw the rise of artists such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Skeeter Davis, Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard—evolved over the 1950s and 1960s and started to incorporate some of the components of other popular music types, including rock and roll. In 1956, a hybrid of the increasingly popular rock-and-roll movement clashed with country music, bringing forth what would be called “rockabilly” (Morrison). In 1956, Elvis Presley converted to country music, playing a huge role in the industry. Toward the end of the 1960s, there was a great decline in Western music and the image of the cowboy, with the evolution of modern society.
The fourth generation of country music evolved over the 1970s and 1980s, incorporating what was called “outlaw” country. Popular figures during this period included Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Hank Williams Jr., David Allen Coe, Lynn Anderson, Dolly Parton, John Denver, The Charlie Daniels Band, George Strait, The Judd’s, Travis Tritt and many others. The era also gave rise to country pop, and a neo-traditionalist movement, with roots in the Nashville sound, folk music, and soft rock.
During the 1990s, country music became more available through the actions of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This action led to an expansion of FM radio by adding a number of high fidelity FM signals to rural and suburban areas. As a result, country music moved from the AM stations to picking up broadcasts on FM stations. Country music became a worldwide phenomenon in the early 1990s thanks to the contributions of Garth Brooks (Reuters, A18). There were many other artist topping the charts such as Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks but not one of them led the charts like Garth Brooks.
As country music moved into the early 21st century, the focus has shifted into a more alternative style. Many artists such as Sugarland, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Scotty McCreery, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Florida Georgia Line collaborated with popular artists of other genres (Rock and Roll, Hip Hop/R & B artists) to create crossover songs—utilizing a blend which often received mainstream notice. The greatest trend that country music has kept is maintaining its traditions. While rock and other genres pride themselves on “breaking out” and creating new traditions, the artists and others involved in country music continuously attempt to preserve the traditions and roots which brought country music to life.
Country music left a profound impact on the American subconscious. It provided the United States with an identity—pop music was seen as a creation of Europe, and as European stars toured the U.S., they were often hyped much more and seen as the “real thing” (Scaruffi). Country music, on the other hand, was uniquely American. The artists and audiences were American, the songs depicted American life, and its “sound” is credited as American. Nashville is well-known not only for the Country Music Hall of Fame or The Grand Ole Opry, but any American immediately associates “Nashville” with country music.
Today country music has gone global and there are numerous country artists as well as songwriter recognition programs such as the Country Music Awards (CMAs), along with country stars being awarded in the American Music Awards (AMAs) and Video Music Awards (VMAs). Country celebrities also serve in opening acts for many sporting and entertainment events.
From the beginning, country music put emphasis on the story first, followed by the voice, and finally the musical arrangement. It was devoted to various individual or collective issues, but very secular in nature. It was unique in its logic; characters were constantly trying to make sense of their lives, culture, and surroundings. That created a much stronger magical element which accepted the human condition as inevitable.
Country Music has become a key element in today’s society as it’s not just music or a genre its words that have emotions and effect all types of people’s lives one way or another.