By Sam Smith March 18, 2014

1. By Sam Smith March 18, 2014

2. Overview • Introduction • History & Sub-genres • The Grand Ole Opry • Canadian Country • Related Themes

3. "Country music is the combination of African and European folk songs coming together and doing a little waltz right here in the American south. They came together at some cotillion, and somebody snuck a black person into the room, and he danced with a white lady, and music was born." • Ketch Secor, Old Crow Medicine Show

4. Introduction Origins: • 1920’s • “Old-Time Music” & “Hillbilly Music” • Roots in Southeastern American folk music, Western, Blues • Influences from European Americans & African Americans • Instruments: banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, & guitars (steel guitar & drums later) • Southern United States • The Southern Appalachians Area (Kentucky, Georgia, North & South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee) • First commercial recording in 1922 by A.C. (Eck) Robertson

5. Sub-genres of Country Early Country: • The 1920s – the beginnings of Country • “Sallie Gooden” by Eck Robertson – Victor Records http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlULuyvMEJw • 1927: James Charles “Jimmie” Rodgers “Father of Country Music” and the Carter Family “The First Family of Country” signed by Victor Records • Both inducted in to the Country Music Hall of Fame • Blue Yodel #1 (T is for Texas) sold over 1 million copies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIBmGZxAhg • The Carters – One of the most prominent musical acts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewnfWoSQz3o

6. Sub-genres of Country Western Swing: • 1930/40s • Popularized in dance halls in the Lower Great Plains • A blend of big band, blues, dixieland, and jazz • Introduced drums and the steel guitar (by way of Hawaii) to country music • Considered Western until the hit “It don’t mean a thing (If it ain’t got that swing)” by Duke Ellington • Bob Wills ("King of Western Swing") and Milton Brown (“Founder of Western Swing”) • Founded the Crust Light Doughboys (Sponsored by Light Crust Flour)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU_IcFBoepU

7. "Western Swing is nothing more than a group of talented country boys, unschooled in music, but playing the music they feel, beating a solid two-four rhythm to the harmonies that buzz around their brains. When it escapes in all it’s musical glory, my friend, you have Western Swing." • Merle Travis

8. Sub-genres of Country Cowboy Music: • 1940-60s • Popularized through Hollywood and cowboy films • Roy Rogers “King of the Cowboys” • Singer/Actor • Formed the Sons of the Pioneers • Longest surviving country music groups • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLoYFvbR0XY • Gene Autry • Singer/Actor • Only real competitor of Roy Rogers • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vLk1MyAcFE • Put the Western in Country & Western Music

9. Sub-genres of Country Honky Tonk: • 1950s • Huge influence on today’s artists • The spirit of dancing and drinking, and of loving and then losing the one you love • Guitar, fiddle, string bass, steel guitar with rough & nasally vocals which developed a clear & sharp sound later • Hank Williams • One of the most significant country artists • Died at age 29 from heart failure exacerbated by alcohol and drug abuse • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95aP0OWx4jY

10. Sub-genres of Country The Nashville Sound: • 1950s • Blend of pop and country • Combination of big band jazz& swing with folk & country • Jim Reeves • Biggest hit “He’ll have to go” brought him instant stardom • Patsy Cline • Greatest female vocalists • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsRNCvHXHHU • Both had their careers cut short from tragic plane crashes

11. The Generations of Country Outlaw Country: • 1960/70s • Resurgence of traditional country • Nashville Sound losing popularity • Conway Twitty & other artists emerged breaking the mold • Willie Nelson • 1975: defied country conventions with concept album – the story of fugitive preacher on the law after killing his wife • Major role in the crossover movement • Major influence on today’s country artists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qF5lZ82Nys

12. Sub-genres of Country Urban Country: • 1980s • Move away from Country’s roots • Towards pop culture • “Urban Cowboy” • Attempt to crossover into easy-listening • Pop music of 60s & 70s with a hip rock beat • Most songs and artists were forgettable, with few being memorable • John Conleehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woWzNRIBEcI • Reba McEntire

13. Sub-genres of Country New Country: • 1990s • Radio helped popularize Country • Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, George Strait, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Shania Twain • Garth Brooks • Most popular country artist of all time • World wide success http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvCgSqPZ4EM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d05tQrhNMkA

14. The Grand Ole Opry • 1925 • Synonymous with Country Music • WSM Radio’s Grand Ole Opry • Nashville, Tennessee • Live Country Music acts every Saturday night • Used to promote artists’ live performances • Moved around to account for growing audience • Still around today close to downtown Nashville • Has a 6-foot circular piece of wood from Ryman Auditorium – heart of the stage

17. Canadian Country Artists • Canada has the 2nd largest country music base • The Prairies, Ontario, & Atlantic • Spread from radio • The prairies are Canada’s heartland for country music • Cowboy and agrarian nature • Shania Twain, Gordon Lightfoot, George Canyon, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, Doc Walker, Dallas Smith, Emerson Drive, Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans, GordBamford, Chad Brownlee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhAB6Wj0pGw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7fASdvrR-g

18. Related Themes • Cultural Hearths • Adaptation/Innovation • Urban vs Rural • Instruments & Recording technology • Commercialization • Cross Fertilization

19. Sources • http://www.roughstock.com/history/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_music#First_generation_.281920s.29 • http://www.opry.com/history

20. Thank You!