Country music is a musical style that was born as a result of the influence of other musical styles. His birth must be sought in the United States. In the early 1930s, it began to spread to other English-speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
In all these countries, country music settles quickly, because they have similar folk elements.
The exact moment when all these types of Anglo Celtic ballads begin to evolve into the new country style is not easy to determine. One of the first figures in whom they appreciate nuances of Celtic music is Eck Robertson. It was the year 1922, and many folkloric elements can still be seen in it.
Other big names in this early era of country music include Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Jimmie Rodgers was the pioneer, playing with black musicians like Louis Armstrong.
The Carters
The Carter family (The Carter Family) was the first to record a country song on disk, along with Jimmie Rodgers, consolidating this musical genre with the initial name of "hillbilly", which would later give way to simply "country".
The evolution of country music
In the In the 40s, Earl Scruggs was a true revolution, for his peculiar way of playing the bass. He used several picks in his fingers, playing the strings independently and reaching very fast speeds. The bluegrass music changed levels.
Stephen foster
Foster would be the author of such important and emblematic themes as "Oh Susana ”, 'Camptown Races', 'Hard Times Come Again No More', or 'Beautiful Dreamer'.
Although he left us very young, at the age of 37, he is still a reference in all the popular American songbook, and a major influence on pop music of the XNUMXth and early XNUMXth centuries, as well as later country music.
The western and the Cowboys
Many people associate country music with the movies about cowboy. The “cowboys” who lead the cattle with their hats and at night play and dance this style of music.
The truth is that the western world is a major influence on country music. Not only because of the cinematic cowboy aesthetic that would be incorporated, but also because of the theme that reflects this rugged world and given to solving disputes by shooting.
At the cinema We have seen these characters with the revolver hanging from their belt, telling and singing romantic stories of cowboys, horses, Indians, canteens, duels, beautiful young ladies and, in general, showing the lifestyle of the conquest of the West.
Some influences in country music
- Both the white gospel music, as the southern one. Have been a great influence on country music, from its origins to the present. Religious and Christian nuances and religious themes are constant.
- This musical style has its Louisiana origin. Cajun music combines happy dance songs with waltzes, with the characteristic accordion. If we analyze country music well, we will see many musical samples of Cajun music.
- Steel Guitar, from Hawaiian music. Hawaiian music was already influencing American music since the late nineteenth century. Its lilting rhythms and the prolongation of the notes, and later the development of the “electric pedal steel guitar”, as its name suggests, with pedals.
- La mexican guitar music. It is very easy to see the influence of Mexican guitar music on country music.
- La central european music. Because of the Central European emigrations,
Swiss, German, Austrian, Czech, and so on, influenced country music in a relevant way.
- The western swing. This musical style was born in the 20s and has its heyday throughout Europe and the United States from the Second World War. It basically consists of an eclectic mix of hillbilly, western-cowboy, polka, folk music, New Orleans dixieland jazz, rag and blues mixed with a jazzy swing.
- La addition of the new boogie style”Led artists like Moon Mullican, one of the leading figures of the western singer, to pioneer the new style that would be called rockabilly. We still see the influence of these sounds on some current artists, such as Asleep At The Wheel, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and so many others.
The instruments
Traditional country music was originally played with string instruments, such as guitar, the banjo, the violin single (fiddle) and double bass. As we have seen, the accordion (of French influence for Cajun music), and the harmonica were also frequently used. At modern country electronic instruments are used mainly, like electric guitar, electric bass, keyboards, dobro, or steel guitar.
The 60s and the Nashville sound
In the 1960s, country music became an industry, centered in Nashville, Tennessee, that moved millions of dollars. With the production of some directors such as Chet Atkins, Owen Bradley and, later, Billy Sherrill, the so-called Nashvill sounde brought country closer to a more diverse audience.
The most important artists of the moment would be Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and, later, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Charlie Rich.
Country music variants
The main variants of this country musical style would be the American music, bluegrass, alternative country, country, coop and rock, cowboy, cowk punk and hillbilly.
Some current country music names
Dixie Chicks
In the early 2000s country music was dominated by this trio of Liberal girls who stripped in the magazines and sang for peace. It is said to be the female band that has sold the most records.
Taylor Swift
Although his music has been infused with Country nuances lately his albums are closer to pop.
Shania Twain
Was the author of “Come On Over”, the world's best-selling album during the 90's. The 16 songs on this album could all have been singles.
Carrie Underwood
With a powerful tone of voice, “Some Hearts, ”their debut album from 2005, was listed by Billboard as the country album of the 2000s.
Country music tracks to listen to ... and dance
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Johnny Cash - I Walk the Line
Taylor Swift - Love Story
Dolly Parton - Jolene
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus
Image sources: Barbieri Symphony Orchestra / AméricaTeve /