Song-seeking country music ..

This name appeared in the United States in the 1920s and has a wide origin. At that time, the content of songs, in addition to expressing work and life, hated lonely and wandering life, yearned for a warm and peaceful home, and sang sweet love and the pain of lovelorn.

In singing, people used to sing in their own voice at first, mostly in the form of solo or chorus, with guitar, banjo, harmonica and violin.

The tunes of country music are generally smooth and beautiful, and the music structure is relatively simple. Most of them are ballads in two or three parts.

Clothing is also more casual, even if you participate in competitions and perform in important occasions in concert halls, you don't have to wear costumes. Jeans, casual clothes, leather straw hats and sneakers are all ok.

1925, a radio station was established in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. They started a column program called "Ancient Opera-Villagers' Voice". An 8 1 year-old folk singer named Jamie Thompson was invited to sing, and the program was warmly welcomed by the audience. Since then, people have collectively referred to this kind of music as "country music". Country music has become one of the favorite music forms of American working people. In America, "blue collar" refers to the lower class, so this kind of music is also called "blue collar music".

Radio Nashville has been a traditional brand-name program for decades since it started the program "Old Opera-Villagers' Voice". Nashville is also recognized as the "White House of American Country Music", and all country singers regard it as the "Holy Land of Country Music".

In the forties and fifties, country music came to big cities. Influenced by other bands, piano, other musical instruments and electroacoustic amplification were added. At that time, people called this music "Nashville". The Grammy Award organized by the National recording arts Institute is the highest award.

The two most important components of country music are string accompaniment (usually guitar or electric guitar, and often Hawaiian guitar and violin) and singer's voice. Country music abandons the "electronic" sound (effector) widely used in pop music. Most importantly, the singer's voice is the symbol of country music (folk songs), and the singers of country music are almost all southern American accents, at least rural accents.

However, as important as music itself is the content of music, and in this respect, country music is very different from pop music, rock music, rap music and other genres. Country music generally has eight themes: first, love; Second, lovelorn; Third, cowboy humor; Fourth, have fun; 5. Rural lifestyle; Sixth, the pride of the region; Seven, the family; Eight, god and the country. The first two themes are by no means unique to country music, but the last six themes distinguish country music from other American pop music genres. In short, country people have their own sense of humor; Like cowboy crazy play; Live in a completely different way from city people; Be proud of your town, state and region; Attach great importance to family; Not ashamed to express religious feelings and patriotic feelings. These themes distinguish country music from music such as britney spears and Super Boy.

Country music often contains the most attractive content to white people in rural areas in the south and west of the United States. As a group, the audience of country music is often farmers and blue-collar workers, who are usually a little poorer than the American average and more conservative in political and social issues.

Classification of country music

Early country music (early country)

Country music in early commercial operation is in the same strain as the traditional folk songs brought by British immigrants in the southern United States in the 18 and 19 centuries. However, the early country music did not adhere to the tradition of oral narration, but often used the violin as an instrument to play melody instead of human voice. John Carson, a country musician, combined these two traditions and sang and played his song "78" at 1923, which is regarded as the first best-selling single of early country music.

The most famous group in this period is undoubtedly the Carter family-their importance to the development of country music cannot be overemphasized. They are advocates of southern folk traditions. They are considered as "the first family of country music", and their song "The Circle Will Not Be Broken" is the same model of country music as "Wild Flowers" and "Wild Wood Flowers", and it is also the first time to introduce Maybelle Carter's infectious guitar style to people. Stoneman in Galex, Virginia, was also a pioneer of early country music.

"Father of Country Music" James Rodgers. He raised the public's acceptance of country music to a new height and was one of the most influential singers in the history of pop music. His unique voice and lyrics have brought national fame to the poor. Therefore, he laid a new solid foundation for country music. The originality of his short recording career (1927-33) and his singing and writing style are not out of date even now.

Cowboy (cowboy)

Cowboy music comes from Americans' fascination with the Great West, which is also reflected in Hollywood movies. Country people have now become well-dressed and energetic cowboy boys and girls, singing romantic songs from the countryside. It shows the romantic scene of lonely grassland. In westerns, there is always a scene where free cowboys sing around a bonfire and chase a long-distance bus after a hard day's work. This clean dress has been adopted by many musicians, such as gene autry, roy rogers and the son of pioneers, which makes country music more and more popular.

West swing

During the Great Depression, a kind of music was born in dirty dance halls in Texas and Oklahoma. Western swing music grafted the feeling of country music on the complex jazz rhythm. Adopt a lineup that is different from traditional country music and closer to big bands (generally including trumpets). Bob Wells soon won the crown of this kind of music without dispute. With the improvisation of his band "Texas Playboy", he is a real innovator. On any night, he has the ability to play his companions and his best, which has had a far-reaching impact in the history of country music. Other western swing bands include Milton Brown (and his music Brownie), the founder of eclectic music, and Sparta Cooley. Today, bands like Sleep on Wheels continue this country music tradition.

Bluegrass music (bluegrass)

A kind of exquisite, pure and original music, which is easy to identify. Compromise music has two or three harmonies, with intense rhythm and unrestrained emotions. This kind of "lonely and high-pitched" voice came into being in the "String Band Movement" in the late 1920s, and became famous in the band "The Blue Gass Boys" originated from the founder Bill Monroe. Bluegrass music was popularized by Bonnie Clyde and Beverly Hillbilly in the late 1960s, and won a brand-new audience. Today, bluegrass music still maintains a high influence, such as the famous country musician Alison Krauss.

Bar music (Hongyu-Tonk)

A free-flowing, usually noisy music form that originated in bars in the south after the war. In the late 1940s, the theater of country music changed from a public social occasion to a bar, and performers were no longer worried about constantly preaching "family ethics" in their songs. Therefore, the lyrics often reflect the hard and cold reality of modern blue-collar workers.

Hank williams's songs fascinated women and made men imitate them, which made this inferior bar become the mainstream of country music in the early 1940s. He lived as he sang, but his excessive lifestyle eventually led to his early death at the age of 29.

Rock (country rock)

/kloc-Memphis in 0/953, the racial boundaries in music are also clearly divided. Most black people listen to R&B; B) At that time, country music was very popular with white people. In order to find a way to blend black and white music, producer Sam Phillips wants to find a white boy who can sing black songs for his record company Sun Records. So there was Elvis Presley-Elvis Presley.

He produced classic songs such as Bill Monroe's Blue Moon in Kentucky and Blue Moon in Kentucky, and trained pioneering artists such as Elvis Presley. Producer Sam Phillips created a mixed music form called "Rockabilly". Although this form of music was not popular in 1950s, many different musicians, such as johnny cash, Jerry Lee Lenice and carl perkins, started their musical careers by recording this kind of songs.

Voice of Nashville

The Voice of Nashville is mainly composed of piano, strings and background harmony, which is different from the traditional violin and banjo accompaniment, and this is also a well-known feature of the Voice of Nashville. In the late 1950s, with the gradual decline of country music, some producers, such as chet atkins and Owen Bradley, consciously expanded the taste of country music and made it closer to mainstream pop music.

In the early 1960s, almost all country artists, from Patsy Cline to the Browns (with the help of a large group of musicians in Nashville Studio), achieved this transformation, which made many such songs top the country and pop charts.

rockabilly

A form of music originated in California and later interacted with the hippie movement, bringing their feeling of "returning to nature" to country music. Because they are cursed by the value of taking drugs and storing hair in traditional country music, country rock artists try their best to develop the tastes of those traditional fans.

Pioneers in the late 1960s, such as gram parsons (and the Byrd Brothers, the Flying Burrito Brothers and later emmylou harris), added rock rhythm to traditional homesickness and heartbreaking country songs. Later, some bands, such as the Eagles, brought this mixed music form to the top of the pop charts. Today, people like Desert Roses (led by Byrd's collaborator Chris Hill Mann) continue this musical tradition.

Banning movement

The so-called "apostasy" is just a continuation of the country music tradition that emphasizes the root color. This is the betrayal of Nashville Voice. This is not a new type of music, but a return to tradition and a betrayal of the production system at that time.

The central figure of this storm is Willie Nelson. 1968, Nashville refused to update his more personalized music, which made him very depressed. Nelson left Nashville for Austin, Texas, where he started his annual concert and attracted other similar singers who didn't attract attention at that time, such as Wayne Jennings and kris kristofferson.

Their simple and deep-rooted attempt is to maintain its unique and even rude personal expression before country music caters to the public's taste. The "apostasy movement" not only catered to the out-and-out country music fans, but also got a response on the radio and on campus. The result 1976 is like Waylon &；; Willie's wish, "The Desperado" became the first album in the history of country music with a sales volume of one million, which opened the door to country music with fundamental characteristics.

New traditional country

A musical style, returning to an era when artistry and musicality are more important than image. Neo-traditionalism seeks inspiration from early country music, which is a well-known pioneer of new country music in the future. Ricky Scaggs, a rare genius, was inspired by Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley. He surpassed all artists at that time and brought country music back to its origin. Not only can the tradition be carried forward and created, but it is also very popular. Scaggs is not alone. Just like Randy Travis, he brought traditionalism to the forefront of country music with his beautiful melody and beautiful voice.

New Country Music (Xinxiang Village)

A form of country music, which is used to describe the root of the return in the mid-1980s. But with a little guitar and drums, this country music is closer to rock pop music. Garth brooks Brooks Company. A large number of artists such as Dunn, shania twain and leann rimes are listed in this catalogue. It does not use violin, acoustic guitar and other musical instruments, which is what distinguishes it from traditional country music.

Alternative country music

Contemporary derivatives of country rock music emphasize noisy electric guitar, which makes it closer to rock music than country music. The name of this rising movement, "No Depression", comes from a song of the Carter family. They hold high the banner of freedom and self-sufficiency, and their records are also released by some small independent brands. Uncle Tupelo (now dead) and the Song Ying team were pioneers of this movement, and now their sons Volt, Wilco and Golden Smoke push it to a climax.

Back to music (retro)

With clear guitar sound and unique lyrics, retro can be traced back to the country music before the Voice of Nashville, initiated by musicians such as Junior Brown, BR5-49, Big Sandy, Fly Rite Boys and Wayne Hancock.

Singer/songwriter

This growing group comes from the original music background in the new traditional country music. Their meeting place is like Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Every week, there is a "songwriter's night", and then they use their brains to write a song. Leaders include Lyle lovett, Steve Earle, and the death reckoning crew (including Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch and Mike Henderson).

Country music sideline

Jinkai Music (Kajin Music)

A lively and syncopated music popular among French-speaking Acadians in southwest Louisiana. This kind of music mainly uses violin and accordion, and the band also includes a drummer, but this kind of music is still considered to be closer to the original music. Jimmy C Newman, Don Kershaw and Eddie Raven are outstanding contemporary Kazin musicians.

Small band

65438+ was produced near the Grand Canyon at the end of 2009. Wisconsin combined the rhythm of Polka and Waltz with Mexicans. Flaco Jimeney and Texas Tornado are famous spokespersons of this kind of music.

Tehano people

Tejano ("Texas" in Spanish) is rooted in traditional Mexican music, with passionate lyrics and easy-to-dance rhythm. In Tejano's world, Emilio and Shirley laris are two admirable artists.

Zydeco

A heavy electro-acoustic music, from the combination of Cajun music and Creole culture in southern Louisiana. This kind of music is sung in French and influenced by the blues crescent and African music. Che Nier and Baxter Edko are the hottest bands in Zydeco music.

Country music was born in 1920.

James Rodgers is a mixture of many musical styles, the popular music style of Dalhart. This is the culture between these country music.

Their talents benefit from the atmosphere of the times: if a large number of broadcasting and recording products are abandoned, American-style music will be locked up and unable to spread, and country music will not be created in the 1920s.

Dalhart may have been forgotten by most people, but he is really the biggest star in country music.

He was born in Marion, eastern Texas, and tried the massacre. He came to new york in 19 10 and got a job singing at the funeral. Then he took part in the operetta. His recording career began when 1924 released "Song of Prisoners" and "The Remnants of Old 97" on B. His unique way of singing southern mountain songs won the public's love and made him the first singer in the history of country music to win millions of sales.

In order to seek greater success, record companies began to send talent scouts to the south. Ralph Peel of Victor Records discovered James Rodgers and the Carter family and recorded 1927 in Bristol and Virginia respectively. "These records are of unique importance in the history of country music." Senior country artist JohnnyCash said this. Rogers and Carter's family include A.P., his wife Sarah with pure timbre, and guitarist Maybelle (Sarah's cousin), who played a very important role in the formation of two different styles of music. Rogers combined blues, folk songs and Falk tunes to sing tramps and dockers. The Carter family, on the other hand, focuses on family, God, mother, family and faith. It is a comfortable and harmonious style.

Maybelle's Carter Lick became the most influential work in the history of country music.

1920s: the birth of country music

Rogers was very popular in his time. Even though tuberculosis made him weak, he still refused to slow down.

Crazy movie production speed. He said to his wife, "I want to die in my shoes." For most people,

Artists like the Carter family, singing is only an amateur. In the recording, Sarah said, "We will go home and grow cotton.

Flowers. "In order to save money, A.P. uniformly printed their names and a promise on their performance posters.

The words "the program is guaranteed to be wonderful", and then there are many horizontal lines below to fill in the date and place of the performance.

Dalhart's popularity is declining. In the 1940s, he was just a guest in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

He worked as a night attendant in the museum until his death in 1948.

On behalf of:

James Rodgers (8 September1897-26 May 1933)

Classic songs: "T for Texas" and "Blue Jodl" are now in prison. "

Vernon Dalhart (April 6, 1883-September18, 1948)

Classic songs: Song of the Prisoner, The Remnants of Old 97

Carter family Alvin plesent Carter (15 years1February, 189310/July 7,1960);

Sarah Carter (July 2 1, 1899- 1 August 81979);

Maybelle Carter (May 10,1909-1October 23rd, 1978)

Classic songs: "Will the Circle Be Broken" and "Wild Forest Flowers"