John Carson recorded the first country music hit record in 1923. Music was not his only profession, but by the time he was 54 years old, he had won the Georgia Fiddlin’ Championship seven times. He decided that he wanted to play a song on the radio, and his radio time lead to recordings of him playing “Little Old Log Cabin” and “The Old Hen Cackled and the Rooster’s Going to Crow.” Some doubted the recordings would sell, but they flew out of Carson’s hands.
WSB was the radio station that first broadcast Carson, and it was the first radio station in the South. It was established in Atlanta in 1922. Radio growth during the 1920s was extremely important to the growth of country music, as many stations gave airtime to live and recorded music that appealed to rural white people.
The “National Barn Dance” and the “Grand Ole Opry” were two influential entertainment programs made possible by radio.
The National Barn Dance was hosted by Joe Kelly and sponsored by Alka-Seltzer and Milk of Magnesia. It began in 1924 and was broadcast from Chicago, Illinois and was a country music variety show.
The “Grand Ole Opry” began in 1925. It was broadcast on WSM, which stood for “We Shield Millions,” the motto of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company that created the station. George D. Hay was the WSM’s first program director, and he and Uncle Jimmy Thompson, a fiddle player, began the show. The Opry House was constructed with acoustics in mind and was to hold 500 fans, as the shows’ popularity meant the Ryman Auditorium that first hosted it was overcrowded. The Grand Ole Opry is alive and well today, as it is a great honor to be inducted into the hall of fame, and popular performers still entertain in the Opry House.
During the 1930s and early 1940s, many people from the South moved to other regions of the United States. The country music Southerners took with them then mixed with blues and gospel music, which influenced its development.
Country music’s lyrics added to its popularity during this time. Just as Americans turned to country music for solace after September 11, Americans during the Great Depression and World War II could relate to the tales of hardships.
The emergence of television again changed country music. “Singing cowboys” became popular in films, the most popular of whom was Gene Autry. Autry was in 93 movies and starred in 91 television shows. He represents the American West that is so proudly associated with the United States.
Texas and Oklahoma developed their own distinct style of country music in the 1930s as rural white people heard swing jazz music. Then honky-tonk was spread by Hank Williams, who used fiddles and steel guitars to create a special tone color.
However, others during this time worked to return to the roots of country music. The Blue Grass Boys, lead by Bill Monroe, returned to using traditional country instruments and harmonies, and their particular style that focused on instrumental virtuosity lead to the distinction of bluegrass music, after the group’s name.
Commercialization spread country music across the United States after World War II, and Nashville was established as the hub for country singers during the 1950s and 1960s. A Nashville style evolved, and many singers were accompanied by orchestras. During the 1970s, “outlaw” music grew; Willie Nelson is a prime example of an outlaw musician. However, the differences between country music and pop diminished.
The branching of country music, and the desires of some to return to country’s roots, will not end anytime soon. Today the debate rages on about who should truly be considered a country musician. From its chance first appearance on the radio, country music has come a long way, and names like Dolly Parton are forever entrenched in this truly American music.
by Amanda C.
Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9026573/country-music
http://www.southernmusic.net/fiddlinjohn.htm
http://www.southernmusic.net/1920.htm
http://www.lib.umd.edu/LAB/SCRIPTS/natbarndance.html
http://www.ask.com/pictures?imgs=m&l=dir&o=0&q=National%20Barn%20Dance&qsrc=168&qid=F5EC34F5B1439F76790D3136ACF394C7&pstart=16&page=2
http://www.opry.com/MeetTheOpry/History.aspx
http://wm10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:t2jx7i2jg789~T0
http://www.geneautry.com/home.php
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/williams_h.html
No comments:
Post a Comment