Country Music, U.S.A.
Over the last century, American music has evolved into a big melting pot. One genre which has felt this effect is country music. In Bill Malone’s novel Country Music, U.S.A., he talks about the history of country music and everything it stands for. He tells of its struggles, its happiness, its heartache and how those components made it what it is today-something that is praised and celebrated throughout the world.
In the first four chapters, Bill Malone gives the background and history of country music. Country music came from a Celtic and English background. It is said that country music is the music of the working class; this is proven true because it was brought to the South by men and women who would work in medicine shows, tent shows, religious revivals, and those traveling the railroads. The people in the South have always been passionate about the music but they were isolated due to the issues dealing with slavery. Although country music has had many different influences throughout the years, the greatest influence is gospel music. As the 1920’s rolled around, country music began to make money, but even though it was making money and becoming popular, the themes of the music stayed the same. Artists would sing of heartbreak, sadness, struggle, family values, God and the home. But even though these were what the songs were sung about, it created a paradox between the singers and the songs themselves because artists did not live the lives that they sung about in their songs.
In the twentieth century, American music was urban oriented. One thing that became very popular in the 1920s is radio broadcasting, which played a significant role in the popularity of country music. Country music during this time was known as commercial hillbilly music. WSB in Atlanta was the first station to feature country music when it went on air on March 16, 1922. The station played music from many different artists. Some of the earlier artists that were...