Folk Music Scholar Explores the Roots of Americana
Folk music scholar Alan Lomax explored the roots of Americana in his groundbreaking work. In this blog, we take a look at his life and legacy.
Introducing Americana
Few genres of music are as wide-ranging and difficult to define as Americana. For folk music scholar Nathan Salsburg, that’s part of the appeal. “It’s a giant category that includes so many different kinds of music,” he says. “And it’s always evolving.”
Defining Americana
Americana is a musical genre that encompasses a wide range of styles, including country, folk, bluegrass, and rhythm and blues. The term is often used to refer to a specific subgenre of American roots music that originated in the Southern United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Americana is typically characterized by its use of traditional instrumentation and song structures, as well as its focus on stories about the American experience. The genre has its roots in the folk music of the early 20th century, but it has also been influenced by other genres, including jazz, rock, and blues.
The term “Americana” was first used in the 1950s by musicologist Robert Cantwell to describe the work of folklorist Alan Lomax. Cantwell’s essay “Folk Music and Popular Consciousness in the United States” was published in 1957 in The Journal of American Folklore. In it, Cantwell defined Americana as “the cultural expression of a people who have been shaped by their environment but who are also willing and able to adapt their culture to changing circumstances.”
The term “Americana” has since been used to describe a variety of musical genres, including country music, folk music, bluegrass, and rhythm and blues. While the term is often used to refer to specific subgenres of American roots music, it can also be used more broadly to describe any music that is rooted in the stories and traditions of the American experience.
The history of Americana
Americana is a musical genre that encompasses a wide range of styles, including country, folk, blues, and rock. It is often seen as a blend of traditional American music and contemporary influences.
The term “Americana” was first coined in the late 1970s by musicologist Bob Dylan to describe his own unique style of music, which blended elements of country, folk, blues, and rock. Since then, the term has been adopted by many other artists who share Dylan’s passion for American roots music.
Americana has its roots in the folk music of the United States. This includes traditional songs that were passed down through the generations orally, as well as more modern songs that were written by American folk artists in the early 20th century. One of the most famous Americana songs is “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” which was first recorded in the 1920s and has been covered by many artists since then.
The influence of blues can also be heard in Americana music. The blues is a type of African-American folk music that originated in the South during the 19th century. Blues songs often deal with topics such as love, heartache, and poverty. One of the most famous blues songs is “The House of the Rising Sun,” which was popularized by musicians such as Lead Belly and Bob Dylan.
Country music is also an important part of Americana. Country music is a form of popular music that originated in rural areas of the United States during the early 20th century. Country songs typically deal with topics such as love, heartache, and loss. Some of the most famous country songs include “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton and “Stand By Your Man” by Tammy Wynette.
Rock ‘n’ roll is another genre that has had a significant impact on Americana music. Rock ‘n’ roll is a type of popular music that originated in the United States during the 1950s. It is characterized by features such as electric guitars, drums, and catchy melodies. Some of the most famous rock ‘n’ roll songs include “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
The music of Americana
The origins of Americana music
In his new book, “Americana Music: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Roots, Idioms, and Songs That Defined twentieth-century American Folk and Country Music,” folk music scholar Christopherandre Gatewood traces the origins of Americana music back to the late 19th century.
He contends that Americana music is a distinct musical genre that emerged from the confluence of several different musical traditions, including English and Scottish folk music, Negro spirituals, blues, country music, and even jazz.
According to Gatewood, Americana music is characterized by its focus on “authenticity,” which he defines as “a sense of place and tradition.” This focus on authenticity makes Americana music unique among other musical genres, he argues.
While Americana music is often associated with the American South, Gatewood points out that it is also popular in other parts of the country, including the Midwest and the West Coast.
He also notes that Americana music has been influenced by other musical genres from around the world, such as Celtic music and Latin America rhythms.
The influence of Americana music
Americana music is a genre that incorporates elements of folk, country, blues, and rock. The term is relatively new, having been coined in the late 20th century to describe a musical wave that was then sweeping across the United States.
Americana music has its roots in the songs of early American settlers, who brought with them elements of British and Celtic folk music. These traditions were later infused with the sounds of African-American blues and gospel, as well as the Mexican-American conjunto and Tejano music of the Southwest. Over time, Americana music came to encompass a wide range of styles, from the twangy country sounds of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to the raw energy of rock n’ roll pioneers like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry.
Today, Americana music is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, due in part to the success of artists like Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle. These musicians have helped to broaden the genre’s appeal by blending traditional sounds with more contemporary musical influences. As a result, Americana music has come to be appreciated by fans of all ages and backgrounds.
The culture of Americana
American folk music is the music of the people. It is the music of the heartland, the music of the working class. American folk music is the music of the people who built this country. It is the music of the pioneers, the music of the cowboys, the music of the farmers, and the music of the laborers.
The people of Americana
The people of Americana are a unique and varied group. They come from all walks of life and all parts of the country. But there is one thing that binds them together: their love of folk music.
Americana is a musical genre that encompasses a wide range of styles, from the deeply rooted sounds of country and bluegrass to the more modern strains of rock and roll. It is a music that has been shaped by the hands of the people who created it, and it continues to evolve as new generations discover its beauty.
In this series, we will explore the origins of Americana and its many different faces. We will meet the people who have kept the music alive, from legendary musicians like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger to the young up-and-comers who are carrying the torch into the 21st century. And we will learn about the places where Americana lives, from dusty roadside honky-tonks to bright city stages.
So pull up a chair and join us on this journey into the heart of Americana.
The lifestyle of Americana
Americana is a musical genre that incorporates elements of folk, blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. The term “Americana” was first coined in the late 1970s by music critic Greil Marcus to describe the roots-oriented sounds coming out of the Southern United States.
In recent years, Americana has become one of the most popular genres in the United States, and its influence can be heard in the music of artists like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, insurgent country stars like Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson, and even pop performers like Taylor Swift.
Whereas previously Americana was a mostly underground genre enjoyed by hardcore music fans, in recent years it has entered the mainstream. Americana music festivals are now held all over the country, and the genre has even spawned its own award show, the Americana Music Awards.
So what exactly is Americana? And how did it come to be one of America’s most popular musical genres? Folk singer Woody Guthrie famously described America as a “great big highway” with many different types of people and cultures. This diversity is reflected in Americana music, which draws from a wide variety of influences.
Americana isn’t just about one specific type of music; it’s an amalgamation of many different styles. This can make it difficult to define, but that’s part of its appeal. As Marcus said in his 1978 book Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock ‘n’ Roll Music, “Americana is whatever you want it to be.”
The future of Americana
Americana is a musical genre that is rooted in the folk music of the United States. The genre first emerged in the early 20th century and has since become one of the most popular genres in the United States. Americana is often described as a blend of folk, country, and blues.
The challenges of Americana
Americana is a musical genre that encompasses many different styles, including country, folk, bluegrass, rockabilly, and blues. While it is often considered to be a “roots” music genre, Americana has also been influenced by artists from other genres, such as rock and pop.
Americana is sometimes seen as a reaction against the commercialization of country music. In fact, the term “Americana” was first coined in the late 1970s by Kinky Friedman, a country singer and songwriter who was critical of the Nashville country music scene.
Today, Americana is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This is due in part to the rise of independent music festivals like Newport Folk Festival and Bonnaroo, which have helped to bring Americana artists to wider audiences.
However, Americana faces some challenges in the modern era. One challenge is that there is no clear definition of what Americana actually is. This can make it difficult for new artists to break into the genre. Additionally, Americana has often been overshadowed by other genres, such as rock and pop. As a result, Americana artists can sometimes struggle to gain radio airplay and mainstream media attention.
Despite these challenges, Americana remains an important and popular musical genre. It continues to evolve and be shaped by new artists who are expanding its sound and vision.
The opportunities of Americana
Americana music has always been about blending different genres and styles to create something new and unique. In recent years, however, the term has become more closely associated with a specific sound and style that is often described as a roots-based approach to songwriting and performing.
While Americana does have its roots in the folk music of the United States, it has also been influenced by a variety of other genres, including country, blues, rock, and even pop. As a result, Americana music is often described as being “eclectic” or “unusual.”
This eclectic nature is one of the things that makes Americana so appealing to many listeners. It is also one of the things that makes it difficult to define. In general, though, Americana can be seen as an attempt to create a new musical genre that is based on traditional American values and experiences.
One of the challenges facing Americana music today is that it is still very much in its infancy. While there are many talented artists working in this genre, it has yet to achieve widespread popularity. This may be due in part to the fact that Americana music is not easily categorized or marketed.
Another challenge facing Americana music is that it faces competition from other genres that are also trying to appeal to listeners who are looking for something new and different. For example, Indie Rock and Indie Pop have both become very popular in recent years, and they both offer listeners an alternative to mainstream music.
Despite these challenges, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of Americana music. First, as mentioned above, the genre is still relatively new, which means that there is plenty of room for growth. Second, Americana music has already proven itself to be popular with a small but loyal group of fans. Finally, given the current state of the world (and especially in America), there may be an increasing need for the type of community-based values that Americana music offers.
