Country history. Free and romantic country music

Music - priceless gift plays for a person and in everyone’s life important role. It is she who gives birth to feelings and emotions in human souls that paint life with bright and precious colors. Everyone at one point or another in their life has their own preferences in music. This is due to character, situation, mood and any events. Among the many musical styles, there are special trends that can create the ideal spiritual mood. One of them is country music.

Origins of style

The USA became the birthplace of country music. The style began to emerge at the end of the 19th century and was finally formed by the beginning of the 20th century. Author's songs also became the origin of the style. The first country performers were immigrant colonists from Europe, so initially the sound of such works was somewhat unusual.

Literally translated, the name of the style sounds like “rural, rustic”. It is the agricultural and mountainous regions of America, such as Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina for a long time preserved country traditions in their original form.

It was a certain territorial isolation and the impossibility of close communication with other regions of the country that contributed to the development of an original culture and its own traditions. With songs and dances, residents compensated for the lack of education and communication with other regions, which made it possible to preserve the country style, which is special in spirit and nature, in its original and pristine form.

As a separate musical genre, recognizable by the first notes, country music was defined by the beginning of the 20th century, but there are historical facts that prove that the early period of the style can be dated back to the 17th century. Each people who settled in the vastness of America brought with them part of their traditions, including in music. So, in the interweaving of different folk cultures, a country style that was soulful and original in nature was born. It was multinationality, originality, rhythm, simple and relatable words that found a response in the hearts of the listeners.

Formation and popularization

Technical progress, the active development of which characterized the period of the early 20th century, played an important role in the emergence of country music as an independent genre. It was the advent of radio, or hillbilly, as it was then called, that ensured the widespread popularity of the style. Lots of unknowns, but talented performers received a unique opportunity to be heard throughout the country. On the radio, listeners did not want heavy music, so simple, rhythmic, musical composition in a somewhat original way folk style Many people liked it.

One of the first recorded country songs: Henry C Gilliland & A C Robertson - Arkansas Traveler (1922)

After the popularization of country music with the help of radio, first amateur and then professional country music festivals began to be organized. Favorite compositions began to be recorded in studios on gramophone records, which was the beginning of the commercialization of the genre. The performers became famous and favorites of the public. The popularity of the genre broke all possible records, people's love was comprehensive and devoted.

Poet Harlen Howard, a country music trendsetter, once said, “It's all about three chords and the truth!”

Harlen Howard - Busted

The compositions are so sincere, simple and understandable to everyone that even during the difficult times of the Great Depression, it was in country music that many found solace and words of support. Gradually, the style continued its development, became more multifaceted, deeper and became a reference point for global popularity.

Country music on television

Style Feature

A lot of time has passed since the birth of country music, but the style has not dissolved or been forgotten. Soulful country-style ballads still top the charts today and are loved by everyone. Today it's absolutely independent genre, which is successfully performed all over the world.

Country music festival in Switzerland

Country music festival in Russia

What makes the genre so phenomenal? Each style, as a rule, has its own characteristics, thanks to which this or that music finds its fans. How do you know that the song you're playing belongs specifically to the country genre? In fact, this genre is recognizable from the first chords of sound.

The characteristic features of the direction are as follows:

• The song is filled deep meaning, reflecting real events, tells a life story familiar to everyone.
  Country singers have always been simple open people
  At the same time, musicians always try to be closer to their viewers.
• The musical acoustic accompaniment is filled with the use of simple and familiar instruments. It could be a guitar, violin, banjo, harmonica.
  “Standard set” for performing country music
• A country singer doesn't reach the soul with the power of his voice or his exemplary academic singing, but with a soulful and soulful performance.

Demonstration of feelings and emotions, life story, soul feelings much more important. Country is a folk genre, the music of provincial provinces, cowboy saloons, the personification of simple romance, a tribute to centuries-old folk traditions. Today, old country compositions can easily be considered one of the most important values ​​of the musical heritage.

In confirmation of the above - TOP 10 old country compositions

Country instruments

The format of the genre was initially determined by a special and original sounding musical accompaniment. Instruments play a special role in creating an atmospheric mood:

Country guitar

Violin in modern country

Country is an absolutely unique direction. The basis is a synthesis of cowboy and Anglo-Celtic ballads, Irish motifs, folklore and melodic blues.

In addition to the main instruments, harmonica, mandolin, flutes, percussion and keyboard instruments. They help achieve an original sound, give a special emotional coloring touching the most tender strings human soul, giving rise to truly unforgettable feelings of joy, fun, tranquility, sincerity or romance.

Country Harmonica (Solo)

Style subtypes

Melodic folk genre so rich and unique that it gave birth to several styles that embody a special musical character. The most famous include:

• alt-country is the most modern style, more aggressive and topical than traditional country, with a somewhat gothic edge;

Alt-country music selection

• Western swing - early country with characteristic notes of blues, jazz and swing, characterized by a dense and rich sound, complemented by a melodic ukulele guitar;

Western swing country

• Bluegrass is a popular country style that is now a bizarre mixture of African motifs and the musical traditions of Scotland, Ireland and England.

The “calling card” of the bluegrass style is the composition Foggy Mountain Breakdown

A little about bluegrass music

Country music continues to evolve, acquiring new sounds. Romance, sincerity and freedom remain unchanged in the melody and words.

The country direction is always outside of fashionable musical trends. Despite this, the style does not stand still and develops, filling with new original sound. Thanks to the ethnic musical coloring and the author's performance format, country music is understandable and original. This musical phenomenon is a unique combination of simplicity and folk philosophy, so it is always warmly received by listeners.

Contemporary country music

If you want the audience at your event to be entertained by music close to to the common people America, you should give preference to classic country. His main attributes are a guitar, a harmonica, a cowboy hat, jeans, a plaid shirt, spurs on his boots, and the freedom of the prairies in his soul. If you want more sophistication in your performance, then a Dixieland band is the way to go. Here country music mixes with jazz. Wind instruments play along with string instruments, and important element musicians' costumes are straw hat boater.

Country bands at your event: how to choose?

To get an idea of ​​the bands we have in our country music catalog, check out their profiles on this page. You can evaluate the costumes for performances by looking at the section with photographs of musicians. The most complete information about the performances and repertoire of groups can be obtained by looking at the “Video” tab. Here you can clearly get acquainted with their work through videos from concerts.

Country music appeared in the United States. Counts folk music the white population of the country. The name of the genre “country” should be understood as “rural”, “village”. This music is a legacy of the work of the first settlers from Europe, representing a characteristic mixture of folklore of various European nationalities that were widely represented in colonial America. By the beginning of the 20th century, country style had finally emerged as an independent musical genre. The country genre can be divided into two conventional parts: country music proper and song-ballad western. Country music embodies a combination of ancient Scottish, Irish and English folklore. Urban songs were added late period, religious songs and dance tunes. The beloved music gained wide popularity and found its way into the ballads of American cowboys.

Early period

The origins of country music date back to early period and dates back to the 17th century. Each nationality brought with them national traditions, which were sacredly protected and practically not subjected to transformation or modernization. For each celebration, the music that was most liked and welcomed by the listeners, united in a multinational audience, was played.

Thanks to this approach and the gradual mixing of musical traditions, a separate style emerged. The first country song is considered to be “The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane.” It was written in 1871. The author was Will Heiss, who today is considered the “father” of country music.

The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane

The second iconic figure in the development of the style was Willie Nelson.

Becoming Country

The influence of technical progress, reflected in the emergence of radio. The 1920s became for country music, which was then called hillbilly, a period of universal recognition and direct identification with national music USA. Country songs could be heard throughout the country, and a great many musical groups, working in this genre, tirelessly competed with each other to create real hits for the whole country.

Annual country music festivals became the norm, which were widely welcomed by the public and enjoyed enormous popularity. Jimmie Rodgers is considered an iconic figure in the history of the country genre at that time.

Jimmie Rodgers - Waiting for a Train

This talented musician, who for his creative career sold about 20 million of his records and made a significant contribution to the development of country music. Country performers in all corners of the country were trendsetters in musical fashion and style. The popularity of country music broke all records, not losing ground during the Great Depression. Even the period of World War II did not change the situation. Country music's golden hour lasted until the very end of the 1940s.

The Carter Family - Can the circle be unbroken

Country music instruments

The word “country” is directly associated with the string instrument banjo, which has become the main and most characteristic instrument for performing music in this style. An interesting fact is that the banjo is an African folk instrument, borrowed by white masters from their black slaves.

Banjo

The next typical country instruments were the violin and guitar. Flutes, harmonicas, drums and keyboards, which are skillfully used by musicians from country bands, are also widely used in country music. Country music itself can be performed on any instrument; for style, this is not the main thing.

Country 1940s and frontier 50s

This period is characterized by the formation of many local scenes focused on the ethnic preferences of the regional listening circle. Country music developed dynamically during that period, acquiring new colors and sounds. Only the main theme of country songs remained unchanged, reminiscent of the Negro in its mood: everyday life of hard work, spiritual emptiness and loneliness. In the 1950s, country music became the basis for the emergence of and. It was also during this period that the courageous image of the cowboy with his song ballad was popularized.

Continuation of style development

In subsequent decades, country music continued its development, showing listeners its versatility. The 1970s became a period of simplification for country music and a reorientation towards the broad masses of listeners. Some of the most talented country musicians include Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell and many others. The so-called “pop-country” wave formed.

Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy

This trend quickly lost popularity, because folk music should not be directly mixed with commercial music. The new generation of musicians understood this perfectly. Bringing back uniqueness to the style became a task for George Strait, Gene Watson, Patty Lovelace.

George Strait - Give It All We Got Tonight

And rock music later. But there is another vast musical movement that is entirely the prerogative of whites. Not a bit of racism. Country only.

Country as a musical style appeared quite a long time ago. The first song in this style is considered to be “The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane,” written back in 1871 by Will Heiss. Only half a century later the song was recorded on vinyl record. By the way, Heiss, along with Willie Nelson, is still considered the main support of country music, the founder of the style. How did it happen that country music not only appeared in America, but also stayed there seriously and for a long time, becoming, in fact, local folk music? This question can only be answered with the help of a history textbook. So, settlers from the United Kingdom, or rather the English, Scots and Irish, who firmly settled in the New World, brought from their distant homeland not only a handful of soil in a rag, but also a couple of tools. The settlers grew homesick in a foreign land and remembered the native songs that they had absorbed with their mother’s milk. A bizarre combination of old Scottish, Irish, English folklore, urban songs of a later period, religious chants and dance motifs gave birth to what we now call country music. A little later, country music was enriched with cowboy ballads.

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “country” is banjo. The main and most typical instrument for this style. Although the banjo is of purely African origin, and white musicians took it from black slaves folk instrument. The violin and guitar are also considered no less typical. Besides these three instruments, country music can be played on anything. A variety of flutes, harmonicas, drums, keyboards and other instruments are freely present in country bands.

Already in the 1920s country style(which was then called hillbilly) became so popular that a great many groups and performers working in the country style appeared throughout the country. They began holding annual country music festivals, which were extremely popular. Another notable figure in the history of country music was Jimmie Rodgers, who sold about 20 million records during his creative career. The wild popularity of country music did not subside either during the Great Depression or during the Second World War. Until the late 1940s, country music enjoyed its “golden era.”

In the 1940s, various kinds of local scenes began to form, differing in sound and manner of performance - bluegrass, western swing, etc. One of these scenes was Nashville; there, in Nashville, a publishing company was organized, which was actually involved in publishing country albums, protecting copyrights and organizing concerts. Despite the emerging musical diversity, the theme of country songs remained unshakable and similar in spirit to the blues: loneliness, everyday routine and hard work.
In the 1950s, the country style became one of those that gave birth to rock and roll and the borderline movement - rockabilly. It was with rockabilly that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins began their star journey. Another stereotype associated with country music is the image of a cowboy in a hat and boots. This image, of course, has always been associated with country music, but the cowboy theme covers only a small part of this giant called country. And stories from the life of the Wild West generally became fashionable only in the 1950s.

In subsequent decades, country music continued to develop, revealing new facets to its listeners. During the 1970s, many country artists began to pay more attention to the wishes of their listeners. Simply put, they took the path of simplification and targeting the mass audience. Such performers included Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell and many others. They achieved their goal - many of their tracks were not much different from the pop music of that time, and the producing editors of country radio stations were perplexed what to do with this abundance of identical, cliched and pop compositions. However, justice prevailed, and the “pop-country” wave quickly faded away, replaced by a new generation of sober-minded musicians - George Strait, Gene Watson, Patty Lovelace.

In the 1990s, country transformed again, absorbing the rock sound. IN in some cases a folk sound was added, and some even tried to introduce gothic elements into country music. Alternative country also appeared, in which you could find anything. Musicians got so caught up in experimenting that they sometimes forgot about country music itself. Nowadays, country music is still relevant in the USA and Canada. Country performers fill stadiums and receive prestigious awards. Everything is the same as almost 100 years ago, country festivals are held in America, gathering hundreds of thousands of country fans.

But it is worth recognizing that country music is a purely American phenomenon. However, we also know what country music is, and among domestic music lovers there are many fans of this style. Of course, it’s unlikely that many of us start our mornings with country music; few people will take a collection of country songs on a long trip. But for Americans, country music is more than just music. On the other side of the ocean, country music is no less popular than the sweet-voiced boys and girls from MTV.

Based on songs and dance tunes, brought to America by early settlers from Europe and relying mainly on Anglo-Celtic folk musical traditions, this music has been preserved almost untouched among the inhabitants of the mountainous regions of the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

In their content, songs and ballads performed by country performers are close to the usual themes of rural folklore. The spirit of country art is also determined by the selection string instruments: guitar, mandolin, zither. From the very beginning, the fiddle violin, the main instrument of rural musicians for several centuries, gave a characteristic flavor to the sound of music.

Country music tends to be open guitar chords and rhythm 2/4 or 4/4. Form vocal numbers usually a verse - a solo chorus and a choral refrain.

Country style owes its influence to black musical culture. This is most clearly manifested in the rhythm and casual improvisational manner of performance, as well as in the use of instruments such as banjo and harmonica.

Definition

When Southern musicians began playing oldies on the radio and recording them on records in the 1920s, a commercial approach differentiated folk and country (though the term itself was a later coinage). Since songs began to be performed for a wider audience, they have come to represent part of the “style” required for commerce.

After creating the first country music stars, radio and recording brought country music into the mainstream, reducing its enormous diversity to a few traditional styles. As a result of this development, commercially oriented country pop music became, over time, mainstream music with a reorientation towards some other styles for a wider range of listeners, while such modern genres like bluegrass - they stayed close to their roots.

Back then they didn’t yet know what to call this music. The music’s belonging to folklore can be seen through the names given to it by record companies: “familiar old melodies” (English. old familiar tunes) or "early music" (eng. old-time music).

Joe Walker, executive director of the Country Music Association Country Music Association), admitted in 1970: “We spent a lot of time trying to define what a country song was... We finally gave up.”.

Kentucky songwriter Harlen Howard, who composed the hits of the genre, said about country music that it consists of "three chords and truthfulness".

According to genre scholar Don Kusick, country music is defined by its audience. Record companies, radio, print - they all also determine what is considered country music. But still, the last word remains up to the listener himself.

Origins

"Rural dances".
American artist William Sidney Mount depicted a typical rural recreation scene: dancing to fiddle music. 1831

Ancient songs and melodies are, in essence, folklore, part cultural heritage USA. In 1904, folklore scholar Emma Bell Miles noted:

It is believed that America has no folk music, nothing distinctly native from which to grow national school advanced compositional art. Meanwhile, there are hidden by the mountains of Kentucky... people about whose inner nature and musical expression almost nothing has yet been said.

Original text(English)

It is generally believed that America has no folk music, nothing distinctively native out of which a national school of advanced composition may arise. But there is hidden among the mountains of Kentucky... a people of whose inner nature and musical expression almost nothing has been said.

Country music has two main sources: folk songs, that is, without authorship, passed down from generation to generation, and songs written to be performed on stage in front of an audience.

Wayne Erbsen notes that residents of the mountainous regions of the southeast welcomed improvements that made their lives easier, but did not strive to improve cultural traditions. Perhaps this came from the stubbornness of people from Scotland, Ireland and Germany who settled in these mountainous areas. Musical and dance traditions were deeply embedded in them. Perhaps that is why the changes hardly affected them early music. When the fiddler chose tunes for dancing, for example, he invariably chose tunes everyone knew, like “Sugar On the Gourd” and “Old Joe Clark.” If he was one of the few musicians who composed the music, he always apologized for the fact that it was his own composition.

First recordings

The commercial country music recording industry began in the 1920s. The first recordings, which were later identified under the “country performer” label, were made in 1922. Eck Robertson and Henry Gilliland recorded 4 compositions for the Victor label: “Arkansaw Traveler” (Russian. Arkansas Traveler ), “Turkey In the Straw” (Russian) Turkey in straw), "Forked Deer" (Russian) Forked Deer) and "Apple Blossom" (Russian) apple blossom). Then Eck Robertson recorded 6 more compositions, one of which, “Sallie Gooden”, was released on September 1 on a record along with one of the songs that was recorded by the duet. Fiddler William B. Houchins from Kentucky recorded several more compositions for the Gennett label on September 18th.

The first commercially successful recording, which later became known as country music, and, as a result, gave rise to the "hillbilly business", was made on June 23, 1923. Fiddlin John Carson recorded "Old Hen Cackled and the Roosters Gonna Crow" and "Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane" for the OKeh label. This recording was made in Atlanta, printed in New York, and then sent back to Atlanta. "The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane" is the first documented country song, written in 1871 by Will Hayes of Cincinnati for a minstrel show. "Old Hen Cackled and the Roosters Gonna Crow" is an old fiddle tune that has been passed down from generation to generation. Nobody knows when it was written, each musician changed it in his own way. We can only say that this melody has been played for many years when people relaxed, danced and had fun. John Carson, a pragmatic man, noted the success of the recording with the words: “I’ll have to stop distilling moonshine and start making records”.

Formation of the genre

In October 1925, the radio program “Old Grand Opera” began operating. Grand Ole Opry), which still broadcasts live concerts of country artists to this day.

Country like music industry began to gain momentum in the late 1940s thanks to the success of Hank Williams (1923-1953), who not only set the image of a country singer for several generations to come, but also outlined the typical themes of the genre - tragic love, loneliness and the hardships of working life. The style of musicians such as Hank Williams was then called hillbilly.

The Western swing style appeared in Texas, taking the principles of arrangement from Dixieland - here the king of the genre was Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.

After the war, the bluegrass style emerged, dominated by its founder, Bill Monroe.

Due to the success of the album Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs(1959) by Marty Robbins, the genre of country and western was isolated, which was dominated by stories from the life of the Wild West.

In the mid-1950s, country music, along with elements from other genres (gospel, rhythm and blues), gave birth to rock and roll. A borderline genre immediately emerged - rockabilly - it was with it that such singers as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash began their creative careers - it is no coincidence that they all recorded in the same Memphis studio Sun Records.

1970-1980s

By the beginning of the 1970s. In the country industry, two poles have emerged: on the one hand, there is a connection with the musical tradition and theme of hillbilly, on the other, an attraction to the stage and mass audience. It is the popularity of one of these two biases that will henceforth define the genre in one period or another. Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings began their careers in the vein of traditional country music. However greatest success in the second half of the 1970s, the performers who largely erased the boundaries between country and pop received: Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, whose recordings differed so little from pop music performers , that there were heated debates among country radio stations about how a particular song fit into their format. This type of pop-country reached its highest peak at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, not least thanks to the film “Urban Cowboy,” which aroused mass interest in country music.

A counterbalance to pop country was given in the person of a new generation of performers: George Strait, Gene Watson, Patty Lovelace; It was this trend, called neo-traditionalism, that gained the upper hand in the country music industry by the end of the 1980s.

1990s

At that time, this music was played by George Strait, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson. Achieved international success Canadian singer Shania Twain, who combined country music with pop and rock.

The trend towards saturation with country elements popular music, jazz and folk music is even more obvious in the work of such contemporary artists as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Mindy McCready. Thus, McGraw's most successful single was recorded in a duet with rapper Nelly, and veteran Willie Nelson recently released an album with pronounced elements of reggae style.

Alt-country

Alt-country is a movement that became widespread in the 1990s. A group of diverse musicians turned to him, moving away from the usual canons of the genre. The lyrics became depressing, gothic and topical. Representatives of alternative country - 16 Horsepower, Steve Earle, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Ryan Adams and others.

2000s

Several rock and pop stars have ventured into country music. In 2000, Richard Marx recorded five songs in this genre. Bon Jovi released the single “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” together with the lead singer of the country band Sugarland. Rock artists such as Don Henley and Poison also turned to country music. German country band Texas Lightning is selling successfully. Joseph Poole (Wednesday 13) founded a country project called Bourbon Crow.

Country music on television

The main music television channels in the United States that broadcast country music and entertainment programs are Country Music Television and The Country Network.

see also

Notes

Literature

• Cusic, Don. Discovering Country Music. - ABC-CLIO, 2008. - P. 2-3 . - ISBN 978-0-313-35245-4
• Dempsey, Jennifer. Music USA: The Rough Guide. - Rough Guides, 1999. - P. 77. - ISBN 978-1-858-28421-7
• Duane, Orla. Country Music: The Rough Guide. - Rough Guides, 2000. - P. 1, 7-8, 8. - ISBN 978-1-858-28534-4
• Erbsen, Wayne. Rural Roots of Bluegrass: Songs, Stories & History. - Mel Bay Publications, 2003. - P. 1. - ISBN 978-0-786-67134-2
• Hanka, Juliane. Country Music as Reflection on the American Culture. - GRIN Verlag, 2011. - P. 2. - ISBN 978-3-656-04455-0
• Haslam, Gerald W.; Haslam, Alexandra Russell; Chon, Richard. Workin' Man Blues: Country Music in California. - University of California Press, 1999. - P. 9: “We used to spend a lot of time trying to define what a country song was.” A commitee was even appointed to work up a definition. We finally gave up". - ISBN 978-0-520-21800-0
• Howard, Jason; Crowell, Rodney. A Few Honest Words: The Kentucky Roots of Popular Music. - University Press of Kentucky, 2012. - P. 4. - ISBN 978-0-813-13645-5
• Malone, Bill C. Country Music, U.S.A.. - University of Texas Press, 2002. - P. 1. - ISBN 978-0-292-75262-7
• Minton, John. 78 Blues: Folksongs and Phonographs in the American South. - Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2008. - P. 149: “I’ll have to quit making moonshine and start making records”. - ISBN 978-1-934-11019-5
• Silverman, Jonathan. Nine Choices: Johnny Cash and American Culture. - University of Massachusetts Press, 2010. - P. 190: “Country music is three chords and the truth.”. - ISBN 978-1-558-49827-3
• Shneerson G. M. American rural music // American Country Music, 1: Record sleeve. - Aprelevsky record plant: Melodiya, 1979. - No. S82 12179-80.