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Overview
Country music took many different roads during the 1960s and 1970s, and in this lesson, we will examine a few of the major trends from this period. Television increased the visibility of and market for country music and country artists. Country musicians also continued to embrace the honky-tonk style of music. Further, artists became stars (or at least increased their star power) when they promoted themselves as “outlaws,” musicians who refused to conform to the rules of the Nashville establishment.
Objectives
- Examine the role that television played in country music during the 1960s
- Recall the growth and progression of honky-tonk music after the death of Hank Williams
- Identify the roles of female country singers during the 1960s and 1970s
- Recall the significance of the outlaw image and how it helped the careers of musicians such as Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings
Conclusion
Thanks to many of the artists and styles discussed in this chapter, country music became a prominent force in American popular culture during the 1960s and 1970s. Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard appeared on the covers of Newsweek and Time, respectively. Richard Nixon went to Nashville in 1974 (in the midst of the Watergate scandal) to attend the ribbon-cutting of the new Grand Ole Opry House. Jimmy Carter invited country musicians to perform for various social functions during his Presidency. Country music had come a long day since the days when Ralph Peer did not want to record Fiddlin' John Carson because he did not believe Carson's voice would have much commercial appeal.
"Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and I were the first female headliners, where we would book our own opening acts. Before that, it was a standing joke that it was more like we had 'pretty little girl singers' opening for a male headliner."
-Barbara Mandrell
"Country music to me is heartfelt music that speaks to the common man. It is about real life stories with rather simple melodies that the average person can follow. Country music should speak directly and simply about the highs and lows of life. Something that anyone can relate to."
-George Jones
Willie Nelson has been playing the same guitar since 1969, a Martin n-20 he has given the nickname "Trigger" after Roy Rogers horse.
