Ken Burns’ Country Music: The Soundtrack of America

Ken Burns’ documentary series “Country Music: The Soundtrack of America” is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital. The 8-part, 16-hour series tells the story of country music from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to the global phenomenon it is today.

Introduction

Ken Burns’ Country Music: The Soundtrack of America is a documentary film directed by Ken Burns. The film examines the history of country music from its roots in folk music, blues and gospel to its modern incarnations. The film features interviews with a wide range of country music stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn.

The History of Country Music

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the folk music of the American South and the blues of the Mississippi Delta. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with simple forms, duple meter, and a focus on the plainspoken, common man.

The Origins of Country Music

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the folk music of the Appalachian Mountains and the country music of the Old South. Country music often consists of ballads and dances that tell stories of love, loss, and redemption, as well as work songs, prison songs, and protest songs.

The term “country music” began to be used in the 1920s when radio stations in the South began playing what was then called “hillbilly music.” The first commercial country music recordings were made in 1922 by Emry Arthur, a fiddle player from Texas. The most important figure in the early history of country music was Jimmie Rodgers, who began making records in 1927. Rodgers was influenced by both blues and Appalachian folk music, and his recordings helped to bring those two genres into the mainstream of American popular music. Another important early figure in country music was Hank Williams, who began making records in 1947. Williams’ style was deeply influenced by both gospel music and blues, and he is credited with helping to bring black influences into country music.

In the 1950s, country music became more widely distributed across the United States thanks to increasing popularity of television and radio. The 1950s also saw the rise of a new style of country Music known as rockabilly, which combined elements of country, rhythm and blues, and rock n’ roll. Artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis helped to popularize rockabilly. In the 1960s and 1970s, country Music underwent a major transformation thanks to singers such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Fred Foster (the producer behind Kris Kristofferson’s work), Willie Nelson (one half of outlaw country), Dolly Parton (also one half of outlaw country), Emmylou Harris , Gram Parsons Glen Campbell , Roger Miller , Porter Wagoner , Mac Davis Bobby Goldsboro Jerry Jeff Walker , Roger McGuinn Rita Coolidge Kenny Rogers , James Taylor Harry Chapin John Denver The Eagles Linda Ronstadt Michael Martin Murphy Neil Young Outlaw Country Steve Earle Tom Petty among others .

The Development of Country Music

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the folk music of the rural southeastern states and has been variously called “hillbilly music,” “mountain music,” “roots music,” and “white country music.”

The term “country music” first appeared in print in 1926, when Virginia-born composer and fiddler Victor McLaglen wrote in the Chicago Defender that he had just heard two “negro boys” playing a new type of music on stringed instruments that they called “country music.” The following year, country musician Cliff Carlisle wrote in Billboard magazine that this new music was simply “folk musick [sic] played on guitars, mandolins, fiddles, banjos and even harmonicas.” Through the early 1930s, various types of rural string bands were performing this new style of music at county fairs, dances, lodges, and social gatherings throughout the southeastern United States.

The Sound of Country Music

There’s something about the sound of country music that just makes you feel at home. It’s the sound of Saturday nights and Sunday mornings, of barbeques and back porch gatherings. It’s the sound of America.

The Instruments of Country Music

Guitars, fiddles, banjos, harmonicas, and pianos are only a few of the instruments that can be heard in country music. The sounds of these instruments, along with the unique vocal styling of country music artists, create the distinctive sound that is known and loved by millions around the world.

Guitars are perhaps the most iconic instrument of country music. They are often used to provide accompaniment for vocals and to play lead melodies. Common types of guitars used in country music include acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and steel-string guitars.

Fiddles are another popular instrument in country music. They are played using a bow and are typically used to provide melodic or “lead” parts in songs. The term “fiddle” can refer to either the instrument itself or the player of the instrument.

Banjos are also commonly heard in country music. They are traditionally played with a pick or thumb as opposed to using a bow like a fiddle. Banjos come in different sizes and can be played either with or without a resonator (a wooden disk attached to the back of the banjo that amplifies the sound).

Harmonicas are sometimes used in country music as well. They are small handheld instruments that produce sound when air is exhaled through them. The pitch of the notes produced by a harmonica can be changed by pressing on different combinations of holes on the instrument.

Pianos are not as common in country music as some of the other instruments mentioned here, but they can occasionally be heard in tracks. Pianos provide both lead and accompaniment parts in songs and add a sense of richness and fullness to the soundscape.

The Styles of Country Music

There are four distinct styles of country music: traditional, honky-tonk, outlaw, and contemporary. Each style has its own unique history, sound, and set of influenced artists. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Traditional Country Music
Traditional country music is the original form of country music. It started in the early 1900s with artists like the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Traditional country is defined by its simple melodies, three-chord songs, and stories about everyday life. Artists like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline helped to popularize traditional country in the 1940s and 1950s.

Honky-Tonk Music
Honky-tonk music is a subgenre of traditional country music. It gets its name from the honky-tonks – rowdy bars where people went to drink, dance, and listen to music. Honky-tonk music is defined by its twangy sound and heartbreak lyrics. Artists like Ernest Tubb and Hank Thompson were popular honky-tonk performers in the 1940s and 1950s.

Outlaw Country Music
Outlaw country is a subgenre of country music that developed in the 1960s as a reaction against the polished sound of Nashville’s mainstream artists. Outlaw country artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings rejected Nashville’s production values in favor of a more raw, authentic sound. These artists were often considered rebels or “outlaws” by the Nashville establishment.

Contemporary Country Music
Contemporary country music is the most recent style of country music. It started in the 1970s with artists like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Contemporary country is defined by its catchy melodies, electric guitars, and sentimental lyrics. Artists like Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire helped to make contemporary country music popular in the 1990s and 2000s

The Influence of Country Music

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the Western music of the United States and the folk music of the British Isles. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with simple forms, folk lyrics, and harmonies mostly accompanied by string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, steel guitars (such as pedal steels and dobros), and fiddles as well as harmonicas.

The Impact of Country Music on American Culture

Since its humble beginnings in the early 20th century, country music has grown to become one of the most popular genres in America, appealing to listeners of all ages and backgrounds. Over the years, the sound and style of country music has evolved considerably, but it has always remained true to its roots as a reflection of the American experience.

Country music is often considered to be a symbol of American values and traditions, especially in rural areas. The songs typically deal with themes of love, loss, and heartache, but they also celebrate the simple joys of life. In recent years, country music has also been used to voice political messages, particularly on issues like immigration and gun control.

Whether you’re a fan of old-school classics or modern hits, there’s no doubt that country music has had a profound impact on American culture.

The Influence of Country Music on Other Genres of Music

From its humble beginnings in the rural South, country music has grown to become one of the most popular and influential genres in America. Over the years, country music has had a profound impact on other genres of music, particularly rock and roll.

One of the most famous examples of this is Elvis Presley, who is often credited as being the pioneer of rock and roll. Presley was a big fan of country music, and his recordings were heavily influenced by the genre. In fact, some of his early hits, such as “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” were actually originally recorded by country artists.

Other rock and roll legends, such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, also had their roots in country music. And even today, many contemporary rock artists are inspired by country music, including Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp.

Country music has also had a significant impact on pop music over the years. Many pop artists have recorded country-inspired songs, including Taylor Swift,Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga. And in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in traditional country music among young people.