The Evolution of Australian Country Music
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Australian country music has come a long way since its humble beginnings. In this blog post, we take a look at the evolution of this genre and how it has become one of the most popular forms of music in the country.
The Early Days
The early days of Australian country music were filled with ballads and dance tunes about life in the bush. The music was often about the hardships of living in the outback, and the lyrics were often written in a very poetic style. The early performers of Australian country music were often folk singers who sang about their own lives and the lives of the people around them.
The influence of American country music
American country music has had a profound influence on the development of Australian country music. Early Australian country artists such as Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams and the Sons of the Pioneers were heavily influenced by American artists such as Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. American country music also had a significant impact on Australian popular culture more broadly, with country songs appearing in movies, on television and in advertisements.
The rise of the bush ballad
In the early days of country music in Australia, the focus was on the bush ballad – a song that told a story about life in the Australian outback. These songs were often based on real-life events, and they reflected the values and experiences of those who lived in rural Australia. Bush ballads were typically sung by single artists or duos, and they were often accompanied by a guitar or harmonica.
The popularity of bush ballads began to decline in the 1950s, as more Australians moved to urban areas and as other genres of music became more popular. Nevertheless, these songs continue to be an important part of Australian culture, and they are still performed by country musicians today.
The Golden Age
The ’80s and ’90s were a golden age for Australian country music. With the release of albums like “The Bushwackers Band” and “The Man from Snowy River”, Australian country music found a place in the hearts of music lovers around the world. This was a time when Australian country music artists were able to break into the international market and achieve success.
The influence of the country music scene in Nashville
In the late 1950s, American country music artists began to migrate to Nashville, Tennessee, in search of success in the music industry. Among them were critically acclaimed artists such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty. As these artists found success in Nashville, they began to influence the country music scene there. For example, Cline’s unique style of singing helped to popularize the use of close harmony vocals in country music. Likewise, Lynn and Twitty’s focus on storytelling in their songs helped to make country music more narrative-driven. As a result of the influence of these and other artists, Nashville became known as the “Capital of Country Music.”
The popularity of country music in Australia
The popularity of country music in Australia began to grow in the early twentieth century. The music was introduced to the country by American and British immigrants, and it quickly became popular among the working class. In the 1920s and 1930s, country music became increasingly popular on radio and in dance halls. By the 1940s, it was one of the most popular genres in the country.
In the 1950s, Australian country music began to develop its own identity. The first Australian-born country star was Slim Dusty, who rose to prominence in the 1950s with hits like “A Pub with No Beer” and “The Man from Snowy River”. Dusty’s success paved the way for other Australian-born country stars, such as Buddy Williams, Joy McKean, and Graham Kennedy.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Australian country music continued to grow in popularity. In 1964, Slim Dusty became the first Australian artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Other notable artists from this period include Anne Kirkpatrick, Slim Newton, and Skeeter Davis.
The 1980s saw a decline in the popularity of country music in Australia. This was due in part to the rise of other genres such as pop and rock n roll. However, there were still a number of successful country artists during this time, including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in Australian country music. This has been led by artists such as Keith Urban, Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan, and Troy Cassar-Daley.
Modern Country Music
Country music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 20th century. Originally, the genre was a blend of folk music, blues, and other genres that were popular at the time. Over the years, it has evolved into the modern country music that we know and love today. Let’s take a look at how country music has evolved over the years.
The influence of American country music
American country music has had a huge influence on the development of Australian country music. In the early days of country music in Australia, American songs were often adapted to fit local conditions and themes. For example, ‘In the Jailhouse Now’ was adapted to become ‘In the Gaolhouse Now’, while ‘She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain’ became ‘She’ll Be Ridin’ Old Ballandina’.
Over time, American country music has continued to be a major influence on the sound of Australian country music. Many Australian artists have had successful careers by recording and performing American country songs. For example, Slim Dusty had a huge hit with his version of ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’, while Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ was a number one hit for both her and Australian duo The McClymonts.
The popularity of Australian country music
Since the early days of country music, Australia has been creating its own unique style of the genre, blending it with other influences to create a sound that is distinctly Australian. In recent years, Australian country music has become more popular than ever, both domestically and internationally.
One of the biggest international success stories in Australian country music is that of Keith Urban. Born in New Zealand but raised in Australia, Urban has been making waves in the country music scene since the early 2000s. He is now one of the biggest names in country music, with multiple Grammy Awards and hits that have topped the charts both in Australia and the US.
OtherAustralian artists who have found success overseas include Lady Antebellum singer Kelsey Ballerini, who is originally from Queensland, and The McClymonts, a trio from NSW. Ballerini’s debut album went platinum in the US, and she has won multiple awards including a Grammy for Best Country Album. The McClymonts have had success with their albums and singles in both Australia and the US, and they were even nominated for a Grammy in 2009.
It’s not just individual artists who are finding success internationally – Australian country music festivals are also becoming popular attractions for visitors from all over the world. The Tamworth Country Music Festival is one of the biggest events on the Australian calendar, and it regularly attracts visitors from countries like the US, UK and New Zealand.
The popularity of Australian country music shows no signs of slowing down any time soon – so if you’re a fan of the genre, be sure to keep an eye on its evolution in the coming years!
