Overview
First called “hillbilly music” by record labels, early country and western music was recorded in southern areas of the United States by ambitious record producers who were looking for a new, commercially-appealing sound. With the advent of radio, this type of music became incredibly popular, spawning a number of subgenres, such as bluegrass, honky-tonk, and country crooning. The film popularity of singers such as Gene Autry also cemented the image of the singing cowboy in the minds of many Americans. As we will see, early country and western music had many themes and images that continue to permeate country music to this day.
Objectives
- Examine how country music was first discovered by record executives such as Ralph Peer and what made it so commercially appealing
- Identify early recording artists who increased the commercial appeal of hillbilly music
- Recognize the several subgenres of country music developed during and after World War II
- Identify instruments played in a bluegrass ensemble
- Recall the BMI and the ASCAP strike in the early 1940s and how it helped the development and distribution of early country music
Conclusion
With the advent of radio, film, and organizations such as BMI, early country and western musicians had many opportunities to promote their music. Radio programs such as the Grand Ole Opry are a testament to the commercial viability and staying power of country music. The migration of Americans from the South to northern, urban areas of the country also created concentrated listening areas with high demands for this type of music. These musicians incorporated many elements of Anglo-American folk music, such as the instrumentation and modal harmonies, but they also borrowed techniques from African American musicians, such as blue notes and timbral effects. Superstars such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Hank Williams set the stage for the next several generations of country music performers.
