By: Sonya GonzalesAny kind of music takes interesting developmental turns. For the United States, the rich heritage of music subsides within the thriving cultures that have made up this country for over two centuries. Country music is no exception. From its roots, which consist of Appalachian Folk, gospel, blues and even Celtic music, country music has rooted itself in American soil.
The term country music was not coined until around the 1940s, but the swinging blues that was once said to be the "white man's blues" saw its birth in the late 1800s. Appalachian music, which is based upon Anglo-Celtic folk ballads, began to rise in popularity with the immigration of Europeans to the region of the United States that includes states like Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky. The introduction of the banjo, which is from Africa, to the United States during the 1860s helped define the folk songs even more. Also, the mixture of Appalachian music with blues music from the slaves of this time helped further transform the music.
Gospel is one of the most contributing factors to country music. Traditional ballads had religious lyrics and helped form the simple yet defining chords and structures of country music.
The state of Texas was another defining factor for country music. Throughout the nineteenth century, immigrants from Germany and the Czech Republic mixed lifestyles with Spanish, Mexican and Native Americans living within the states' boarders, and musical styles began to blend, incorporating instruments like the Spanish guitar and Irish fiddle to country music. The immigrants, who liked to dance in halls with plenty of traditional music, helped put Texas on the musical map.
It was not until 1927 that country music became official. Two of the most influential artists in country, the Carter family and Jimmie Rodgers, were signed to Victor Records in Bristol, Tennessee. Jimmie Rodgers, who is called the "Father of Country," was never heard on the radio or recorded at the famous Grand Ole Opry during his lifetime. However, he, Hank Williams and Fred Rose were the first artists to be elected into the Country Hall of Fame.
The Carter Family was composed of A.P. and Sarah Carter, along with various cousins and daughters, like the famous June Carter Cash, and sang traditional ballads that helped pave the way for country and established the genre well into the 20th century.
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