1970s Country Music

Glen Campbell Considered one of the icons of country music. Been in music industry for 50 years. Released more than 70 albums. Sold more than 45 million records. “Rhinestone Cowboy” The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Glen Campbell is one of the most well-known country music icons. He has been in the industry for over 50 years. Campbell has released more than 70 albums and sold more than 45 million records. During the 70s he had a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. The show had other musicians of all genres play. Some of the most famous were The Beatles, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Campbell was also in the movie business. John Wayne personally requested that Campbell play a role in the move True Grit. Had numerous hits, though his most famous song was “Rhinestone Cowboy”.

Rhinestone Cowboy

Cover of Rhinestone Cowboy. Picture with Campbell and John Wayne in True Grit.

Kenny Rogers Began career in the 50s. Started solo career in mid 70s. Biggest hit “Lucille” “The Gambler” Kenny Rogers began his career in the 1950s. He played in multiple groups, but began his solo career in the mid 1970s. In 1977 he released his biggest hit ‘Lucille’ which would sell over 5 million records. The following year in 1978 his song “The Gambler” won the Grammy for Song of the Year. A movie starring Kenny Rogers as the Gambler was also created.

Album cover for The Gambler.

The Gambler

Charlie Rich Nicknamed “The Silver Fox” Very popular Won numerous awards “Behind Closed Doors” won 3 CMA Awards. Controversy at the 1973 CMA Awards Charlie Rich was nicknamed the Silver Fox. He had millions of fans and over his career he won numerous gold records, platinum albums and industry awards. His song “Behind Closed Doors” won three Country Music Awards in 1973. At the same award show, Charlie Rich caused a controversy as he presented an award. Before Rich announced the winner of the award he lit the envelope on fire and announced that his “dear friend John Denver” had won. Many thought he was protesting John Denver’s win because Denver was too ‘pop’ and not enough ‘country’.

Behind Closed Doors

Dolly Parton Born in 1946 in Tennessee Began recording at age 11. Moved to Nashville in 1964. Country music radio and television. Won the CMA Best Female Singer award in ‘75 & ‘76. First #1 hit in 1971-Joshua Grammy Award in ‘77. Dolly Parton is one of the most iconic country music singers of the century. Her image and persona is well known. She was born in Tennessee and began recording at age 11. Moved to Nashville after finishing high school in 1964 and appeared regularly on country music radio and television. Her first #1 country hit was “Joshua” in 1971. She won the CMA Best Female Singer of the Year award in 1975 and 1976. Parton won her first Grammy in 1977 for her crossover pop and country hit “Here You Come Again”. Filmed the movie 9-5 in 1979, which was released in 1980.

More Dolly Parton

Merle Haggard Merle Haggard was born in Bakersfield, CA in 1937. Bakersfield would later become a country music scene rivaling Nashville. Songs reflected the real problems many Americans faced to support their families in the economic climate of the 70s. “If We Make It Through December”-song about poverty around Christmas time. Merle Haggard was born in Bakersfield, California in 1937. His parents were from Oklahoma. As a child he wondered from place to place. At 19 he was sentenced to 3 years in San Quentin Prison. His songs reflected the real concerns and aspirations of millions of Americans, particularly migrants from the South who struggled to support their families during the economic climate of the 70s.

If We Make it Through December

John Denver Famed singer-songwriter. Most successful album released in 1971. ‘Poems, Prayers, and Promises.’ “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High” Many thought of Denver as folk artist instead of country artist. John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. in Roswell, New Mexico. Record producers thought it was best he change his name to Denver to represent the city and the Rocky Mountains that he loved. Considered one of the best singer-songwriter in this time period. His most successful album was ‘Poems, Prayers, and Promises’ released in 1971. That album contained the songs “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High”. Denver was a folk/country artist. Played in groups, but became successful as a solo artist. Primarily played an acoustic guitar and sang. It is this fact that many thought of Denver as a folk artist and not a true country artist.

John Denver

Take Me Home, Country Roads

Olivia Newton John Had a series of Top Ten country crossover hits in the 70s. “Let Me Be There” “If You Love Me Let Me Know” “Have You Never Been Mellow” Won CMA award for female singer of the year in 1974. Hardcore country fans didn’t like her. Left country to get into oldies music. “Grease” Olivia Newton John had a score of hits in the early 70s in country music. Many country fans did not believe she was a true country singer, but a pop singer. She did win female singer of the year at the CMA’s in 1974. Eventually left country music to pursue a career in the oldies style of music that was emerging. She would star in the movie Grease which she is best known for.

Charlie Daniels Band Was a mix of country and Southern rock music. Fiddle playing. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” The Charlie Daniels Band created music that was a mixture of country and southern rock. Used the fiddle in their songs. I included them because I really love this song.

Devil Went Down to Georgia

Bakersfield Sound v. Nashville Emerged as a distinctive sound of country music. Originated in Bakersfield, California Influenced by the country Rockabilly sounds from the 50s. Opposite sound of Nashville country. Nashville country was described as ‘slick’ sounding. The Bakersfield Sound emerged in the country music scene from a group of artists, primarily Merle Haggard, based in Bakersfield, California. Many singers returned back to the straightforward approach of postwar honky-tonk musicians like Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. The Bakersfield Sound emerged as a distinctive sound in country music that was similar to the Rockabilly music from the 50s. This genre stood in direct opposition to the slick sound of Nashville country music.

Grand Ole Opry The Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show in the 1930s. Held at the Ryman Theater until 1974 when the Opry moved to a larger complex with a theme park. Opryland Radio show was televised live for the first time in the 1970s. PBS aired the show on TV March 4, 1978. The Grand Ole Opry debuted as a radio show in the 1930s. Musicians performed in the Ryman Theater to a live audience and had their performances broadcast over the radio. Many of country music’s most famous artists performed at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1974, the Opry moved from the Ryman Theater to a larger entertainment complex. This larger complex included the Grand Ole Opry House and an adjoining theme park….Opryland. The opening ceremony at the new theater had President Richard Nixon as the special guest. A circle of the hardwood floor was cut from the Ryman Theater’s stage and placed on the stage at the new theater. All of country music’s greatest legends had stood on this piece of wood so the organization wanted the other performers to stand on the same spot as those before. The radio show was also televised live for the first time in the 70s. The national PBS Television Network televised the show on March 4, 1978.