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Country music is deeply rooted in the folk
traditions of the British Isles.
When immigrants began moving to America
they brought their instruments and culture
with them.
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The Irish (Ireland = British Isles) brought the
fiddle and its rich tradition.
German dulcimer
Italian mandolin
Spanish guitar
West African banjo
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In the new world these music and ethnic
roots began to become entangled.
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In the South, folk music was a combination of
cultural strains, combining musical traditions
of a variety of ethnic groups in the region
◦ some instrumental pieces from British and Irish
immigrants were the basis of folk songs and ballads
that form what is now known as old time music,
from which country music descended
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In the Appalachian Mountains immigrants
from Northern England, Scottish Lowlands,
and the Irish province of Ulster settled the
region.
◦ In this region the British and Irish folk music
predominated.
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Country music is not the sole creation of
European Americans.
a great deal of style—and of course, the
banjo, a major instrument in most early
American folk songs—came from African
Americans.
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Throughout the 1800s immigrant groups
from Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Italy
moved to Texas. These groups interacted
with Mexican and Native American groups
already established in the region.
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Early country music can be divided three
parts
◦ 1st Generation (1920s)
◦ 2nd Generation (1930s – 1940s)
◦ 3rd Generation (1950s-1960s)
1920s
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During the 1920s Atlanta music scene played
a major role in the success of many artists.
During the 20s many people from Appalachia
moved to ‘Hot Lanta’ to work in the cotton
mills.
Much like with immigrants to America, these
people brought their musc.
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With the developing music scene, some of the
present record companies realized that
musicians such as Fiddlin’ John Carson fit
demographic of these agricultural workers
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The first commerical tracks that could be
considered ‘country’ we “Arkansas Traveler”
and “Turkey in the Straw” by fiddlers Henry
Gilliland & A.C. Robertson.
This music was initially know as hillbilly
music.
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In 1924 Vernon Dalhart became the first
country singer with a nationwide hit. The
track, which has been covered many times
since then, was “Wreck of the Old ’97”.
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In April of 1924 “Aunt” Samantha Bumgarner
and Eva Davis became the first females to
release country tracks.
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By 1922 the steel guitar was introduced to
country music.
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The Carter family, an important early country
music group, were first recorded in Bristol
Tennessee on August 1, 1927.
A similar scene to this recording can be scene
in ‘Oh Brother…’
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Over the next 17 years the Carter family will
record some 300 old-time ballads, traditional
tunes, country songs, and gospel hymns.
1930s-1940s
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The Great Depression’s effects were certainly
felt by the recording industry. During this
time of financial crisis record sales declined.
Instead, the emphasis on music shifted to
radio and “barn dance” shows
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On November 28th, 1925 the historical Grand
Ole Opry launched on WSM.
The Opry was live “barn dance” radio program
which featured many famous country
musicians such as Roy Acuff.
The Opry was broadcast 50,000 watts, which
enabled it to be heard across the nation.
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“Cowboy songs”, which had been recorded
since the 20s, became popular with
Hollywood.
The popularity of cowboy songs were
furthered by musicians/ actors Roy Rogers
and Gene Autry.
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Country music and western music were often
played on the same radio stations, which led
to the term ‘country western’.
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Bluegrass emerged onto the music scene
after WWII when Bill Monroe joined Lester
Flatt and Earl Scruggs at the Grand Ole Opry.
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Stripped down and raw sounding, honky tonk
was made up of a guitar, dobro or steel guitar
and later on, drums.
Music of poor whites living in Texas and
Oklahoma.
Honky tonk music is typically assoicated with
the barrooms in which it was payed and
performed.
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Notable Honky Tonk musicians:
◦ Ernest Tubb
◦ Hank Williams (Broadcast from the Opry)
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Honky Tonk would later be known as
“Traditional” country.
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In 1935 Western swing band leader Bob Wills
added drums to his group. Since drums to
“too loud” or “not pure”, Will’s drummer was
never allowed to appear on stage at the Opry.
As late as 1956 drummers were tucked away
backstage playing playing while the band
took the stage.
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Bob Wills added the electric guitar to his band
in 1938.
10 years later Arthur Smith recorded “Guitar
Boogie”, a top 10 country single that
showcase the electric guitar’s potential.
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As the electric guitar gained in popularity,
most musicians preferred to play Gibson and
Gretsch guitars.
During the 1950s the Fender electric was the
hot new sound. Since that time, Fenders have
been the standard of country music.