The Best of Kentucky Folk Music
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The Best of Kentucky Folk Music is a blog dedicated to sharing the best of Kentucky’s traditional music. From bluegrass to old-time, we’ll showcase the best of the Bluegrass State’s musical heritage.
Kentucky Folk Music
Folk music is the traditional music of the people of a region or country. It is usually passed down from generation to generation and is often used to tell stories or express the feelings of the people. Kentucky is a state with a rich history and culture, and its folk music is a reflection of that. In this article, we will explore some of the best of Kentucky’s folk music.
Origins
The roots of Kentucky folk music are diverse, including English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, andAfrican-American traditions. Kentucky’s traditional music is a product of its historically rural andmountainous Appalachian region. The earliest folk music settlers brought with them the British ballad tradition, which they had been singing in England, Scotland and Ireland since the Middle Ages. These songs were often about current events and told personal stories about love, loss and death. British ballads were the basis for many American folk songs including “Barbara Allen,” “Omie Wise,” “The Wagoner’s Lad” and “Pretty Saro.”
Types
Kentucky folk music is diverse and includes a variety of musical genres. The most common type of folk music in Kentucky is bluegrass. Other genres of folk music found in Kentucky include old-time, gospel, blues, and country.
Bluegrass is a type of acoustic music that originated in the Appalachian Mountains. It is characterized by fast tempos, string instruments, and high-pitched vocal harmonies. Common instruments used in bluegrass music include the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar.
Old-time music is another type of acoustic music that originated in the Appalachian Mountains. It is similar to bluegrass in that it uses string instruments and has fast tempos. However, old-time music is distinguished from bluegrass by its use of bowing techniques on the fiddle and use ofharmonics on the banjo.
Gospel music is a type of Christian music that originated in the Southern United States. It is characterized by its use of Religious lyrics and passionate vocals. Gospel music can be either sung solo or in a group, and it often includes elements of blues and jazz.
Blues is a type of African American folk music that originated in the American South. It is characterized by its sad lyrics and slow tempo. The blues often uses minor chords and Features 12-bar progressions . Instruments commonly used in blues include the guitar, harmonica, and piano.
Country music is a type of popular music that originated in the American South. It is characterized by its simple melodies and lyrics about everyday life. Country music often uses guitars, banjos, pedal steel guitars, fiddles, and harmonicas .
The Best of Kentucky Folk Music
Kentucky is home to a wide variety of folk music, from the traditional ballads of the Appalachian Mountains to the more modern sounds of bluegrass. Kentucky has produced some of the most influential folk musicians in history, including Bill Monroe, Kentucky’s first country music star. In this article, we will explore some of the best of Kentucky’s folk music.
The Stanley Brothers
The Stanley Brothers were an American bluegrass band, active from 1946 to 1966. They were born and raised in southwestern Virginia and recorded their first professional recordings in 1949. The Stanley Brothers were one of the first bluegrass bands to gain widespread popularity, due in large part to their appearances on the Grand Ole Opry radio show in the 1950s. They are also credited with helping to popularize the use of harmonies in bluegrass music.
The Stanley Brothers consisted of brothers Carter (guitar, vocals) and Ralph (banjo, vocals), along with fiddler Curly Ray Cline and mandolinist Pee Wee Lambert. Carter and Ralph were both born in Dickenson County, Virginia, though they grew up in projects near Claremont, Virginia (now part of Wise County). Their mother was a singer of English ballads and their father played several instruments, including fiddle, banjo, guitar, and accordion. The brothers began performing together when they were still children; by the time they were teenagers, they had already developed their unique style of close harmony singing.
The Stanley Brothers made their first professional recordings in 1949 for Rich-R-Tone Records. These recordings were made at home on a reel-to-reel tape recorder and included such songs as “Molly and Tenbrooks” and “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down”. In 1951, they signed with Columbia Records and released their first single for the label, “How Mountain Girls Can Love”. This song became a hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Country charts. The Stanleys continued to release successful singles throughout the 1950s, including “White House Blues” and “Little Maggie”.
In 1957, the Stanley Brothers made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry radio show. This exposure helped them gain a wider audience for their music. In 1959, they released their most successful album to date: Songs from the Hills. This album featured such classics as “Angel Band” and “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” (later popularized by Bob Dylan). The Stanleys continued to tour and record throughout the 1960s; however, Carter Stanley died unexpectedly in 1966 at the age of 41. Ralph Stanley continued performing as a solo artist after his brother’s death; he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2000 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. He died in 2016 at the age of 89.
The Osborne Brothers
The Osborne Brothers are a legendary country music duo from Kentucky. They are best known for their hits “Rocky Top” and “Kentucky.”
The Osborne Brothers were born and raised in Hyden, Kentucky. They began their musical careers singing gospel music. In the 1950s, they became interested in country music and began to play on the Grand Ole Opry. They had their first hit with “Rocky Top” in 1967.
The Osborne Brothers are considered to be pioneers of bluegrass music. They have won multiple Grammy awards and have been inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
Bill Monroe
No discussion of Kentucky folk music would be complete without mentioning Bill Monroe, the “Father of Bluegrass.” Born in Rosine in 1911, Monroe began his musical career playing mandolin with his brothers Charlie and Birrman in a band called the Monroe Brothers. In the 1930s, he and Charlie teamed up with guitarist Lester Flatt and fiddler Earl Scruggs to form the Blue Grass Boys, which is widely considered to be the first bluegrass band. Monroe is well known for songs like “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and “Uncle Pen,” both of which are still played by bluegrass bands today. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
The Future of Kentucky Folk Music
As the world progresses, so does the music industry. With new technology, comes new ways of producing and listening to music. Folk music is a genre that has been around for centuries, and it is not immune to these changes. In fact, some believe that folk music is on the brink of a new golden age.
The New Generation
The new generation of Kentucky folk musicians is keeping the tradition alive while adding their own twist to the music. They are opening up the genre to a new audience while still maintaining its traditional roots. This is ensuring that Kentucky folk music will continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.
The Legacy
As one of the oldest and most influential genres of American music, Kentucky folk music has had a profound impact on the development of the American sound. From the early days of bluegrass to the current resurgence of old-time and traditional music, Kentucky has been at the forefront of preserving and celebrating our musical heritage.
Looking to the future, Kentucky folk music is in a strong position to continue its influence on American music. With a rich history and a vibrant current scene, Kentucky folk music is sure to continue to evolve and grow in popularity. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this important genre!
