Chapter 14 From Bluegrass to Young Country

Bill Monroe ( ) Father of bluegrass Father of bluegrass Born in Kentucky Born in Kentucky Began performing with his brothers in the early 1930s Began performing with his brothers in the early 1930s Name comes from Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys Name comes from Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys

Original bluegrass bands were very similar to string bands Original bluegrass bands were very similar to string bands Their function was primarily to accompany dancing Their function was primarily to accompany dancing Emphasis was placed on instruments playing with a strong rhythm Emphasis was placed on instruments playing with a strong rhythm Vocals were almost secondary, alternating with instrumental breakdown sections Vocals were almost secondary, alternating with instrumental breakdown sections

Primary instruments: Fiddle Fiddle Mandolin Mandolin Banjo Banjo Guitar Guitar Bass Bass

Bill Monroe’s bluegrass style was more aggressive and technically demanding than existing string band styles Bill Monroe’s bluegrass style was more aggressive and technically demanding than existing string band styles Most mandolin players used a gentle strumming rhythm, softly trilling notes and filling in guitar rhythms Most mandolin players used a gentle strumming rhythm, softly trilling notes and filling in guitar rhythms Monroe played much faster, more intricate parts Monroe played much faster, more intricate parts

Bill Monroe’s bluegrass did not include drums Bill Monroe’s bluegrass did not include drums It was up to the string instruments to provide rhythm It was up to the string instruments to provide rhythm Has a feel of 1-and-2-and Has a feel of 1-and-2-and Quicker sixteenth notes provided a rhythmic feel Quicker sixteenth notes provided a rhythmic feel It's Mighty Dark To Travel uM It's Mighty Dark To Travel uM uM uM

Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Originally in Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys Originally in Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys At the height of their success they left and formed their own band At the height of their success they left and formed their own band Composed the theme to The Beverly Hillbillies, bringing bluegrass to national attention Composed the theme to The Beverly Hillbillies, bringing bluegrass to national attention Earl Scruggs perfected the technique of tuning the banjo as it was played Earl Scruggs perfected the technique of tuning the banjo as it was played Earl's Breakdown Earl's Breakdown

The experimentation of youthful new bluegrass artists in the 1960s led to the adoption of the term newgrass The experimentation of youthful new bluegrass artists in the 1960s led to the adoption of the term newgrass Some musicians experimented with combining it with elements of jazz and rock Some musicians experimented with combining it with elements of jazz and rock Nickel Creek blends country and pop music featuring the mandolin strongly Nickel Creek blends country and pop music featuring the mandolin strongly

In 2001 O Brother Where Art Thou brought some popularity to bluegrass and older country music in general In 2001 O Brother Where Art Thou brought some popularity to bluegrass and older country music in general The soundtrack swept the 2001 CMA awards The soundtrack swept the 2001 CMA awards

MODERN COUNTRY MUSIC M M M

Garth Brooks Born in Oklahoma Born in Oklahoma The most successful country/pop crossover artist The most successful country/pop crossover artist One of the best-selling music artists in the US – 128 million records One of the best-selling music artists in the US – 128 million records Whereas most of his immediate predecessors just stood on stage and sang, Brooks brought dramatic stadium rock aspects into his show (fireworks, mosh pit jumping, flying over the audience on cables and wearing a cordless head mounted microphone usually found on dancing pop acts) Whereas most of his immediate predecessors just stood on stage and sang, Brooks brought dramatic stadium rock aspects into his show (fireworks, mosh pit jumping, flying over the audience on cables and wearing a cordless head mounted microphone usually found on dancing pop acts) Released Ropin’ the Wind in 1991 – first country album to debut at the top of the pop charts Released Ropin’ the Wind in 1991 – first country album to debut at the top of the pop charts In 2000 Brooks starred in a movie as dark rocker Chris Gaines In 2000 Brooks starred in a movie as dark rocker Chris Gaines To promote this new character, he began performing as him and released an album in character (wasn’t successful) To promote this new character, he began performing as him and released an album in character (wasn’t successful) Went on hiatus from 2005 – 2008 but has since returned to performing Went on hiatus from 2005 – 2008 but has since returned to performing

Alan Jackson Born in Georgia in 1958 Born in Georgia in 1958 Has preserved honky tonk traditions Has preserved honky tonk traditions Sarcastic lyrics about trendy Nashville activity Sarcastic lyrics about trendy Nashville activity “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” – don’t dial up rock music. MnpbTo “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” – don’t dial up rock music. MnpbTo MnpbTo MnpbTo Musical tributes to working-class and struggling families Musical tributes to working-class and struggling families

Johnny Cash While staying true to himself musically, he managed to stay commercially and artistically viable for four generations While staying true to himself musically, he managed to stay commercially and artistically viable for four generations Deeply spiritual and a devout Christian, yet was plagued all his life with substance abuse and other personal demons Deeply spiritual and a devout Christian, yet was plagued all his life with substance abuse and other personal demons Established himself as a dark loner by wearing all black to the Grand Ole Opry – this, along with his dark ballads earned him the title “the man in black” Established himself as a dark loner by wearing all black to the Grand Ole Opry – this, along with his dark ballads earned him the title “the man in black” Played a number of free concerts at prisons Played a number of free concerts at prisons To stay relevant, Cash teamed up with Rick Rubin in the early 1990s who insisted on him rerecording songs by contemporary artists Nine Inch Nails “Hurt” To stay relevant, Cash teamed up with Rick Rubin in the early 1990s who insisted on him rerecording songs by contemporary artists Nine Inch Nails “Hurt” “I Walk the Line” “I Walk the Line”

Dixie Chicks Began as a neo-cowgirl and bluegrass group but this was abandoned for a more pop sound and look. Began as a neo-cowgirl and bluegrass group but this was abandoned for a more pop sound and look. Anti-war statements made them a little less popular Anti-war statements made them a little less popular “Goodbye Earl” “Goodbye Earl”

Carrie Underwood Winner of the fourth season of American Idol Winner of the fourth season of American Idol Won the Grammy for Best New Artist – the second of only three people to do this along with Leann Rimes and Zac Brown Band Won the Grammy for Best New Artist – the second of only three people to do this along with Leann Rimes and Zac Brown Band “Before He Cheats” “Before He Cheats”

Taylor Swift Her album Fearless has spent more time at no. 1 than any other since 2000 Her album Fearless has spent more time at no. 1 than any other since 2000 Ranked the 38th Best Artist of the 2000–10 decade by Billboard – her first album debuted in 2006 Ranked the 38th Best Artist of the 2000–10 decade by Billboard – her first album debuted in 2006 Has been extremely influential in bringing country music to a younger audience Has been extremely influential in bringing country music to a younger audience “Love Story” “Love Story” kgM “Trouble” kgM “Trouble” kgM kgM

September 11, 2001 World Trade Center and Pentagon are attacked by terrorists World Trade Center and Pentagon are attacked by terrorists In the wake of these attacks a number of patriotic songs surfaced In the wake of these attacks a number of patriotic songs surfaced Can be seen as a way to boost morale through times of war Can be seen as a way to boost morale through times of war At the same time songs came out either justifying the war(s) or supporting the troops At the same time songs came out either justifying the war(s) or supporting the troops

Many of these songs contained mild to strong religious undertones – this stems from the traditionally strong religious beliefs in the South Shortly after the attacks Clear Channel Communications, which owns more than 1200 radio stations, published a list of 166 songs with “questionable lyrics” that should probably be avoided – this list included “all songs” by Rage Against the Machine

COUNTRY and ROCK

Lynyrd Skynyrd Formed in 1964 Formed in 1964 Had numerous hits, including Freebird, which frequently appears on “Best song” lists Had numerous hits, including Freebird, which frequently appears on “Best song” lists In 1977 the band was involved in a plane crash – the lead singer and guitarist died In 1977 the band was involved in a plane crash – the lead singer and guitarist died Known for incorporating extended solo sections into their live shows – Freebird is an excellent example of this Known for incorporating extended solo sections into their live shows – Freebird is an excellent example of this

Allman Brothers Frequently combined blues and jazz into their mix of country and rock Frequently combined blues and jazz into their mix of country and rock Also known for performing extended solo sections live Also known for performing extended solo sections live “Ramblin’ Man” “Ramblin’ Man”

In the past decade a number of hard/modern rock bands have performed patriotic songs with some type of country influence including “Citizen Soldier” by 3 Doors Down NY and Five Finger Death Punch In the past decade a number of hard/modern rock bands have performed patriotic songs with some type of country influence including “Citizen Soldier” by 3 Doors Down NY and Five Finger Death Punch NY NY

Changing Face of Country Music After Iraq War – young, good-looking, new talent After Iraq War – young, good-looking, new talent Brad Paisley born 1972 in West Virginia – music business major, worked on demo sessions, signed with Arista label. Debut album went platinum (Who Needs Pictures 1999) Brad Paisley born 1972 in West Virginia – music business major, worked on demo sessions, signed with Arista label. Debut album went platinum (Who Needs Pictures 1999) gT_E “Who Needs Pictures” gT_E “Who Needs Pictures” gT_E gT_E

More New Faces Keith Urban – born in New Zealand in 1967,moved to Australia XRY Keith Urban – born in New Zealand in 1967,moved to Australia XRY XRY XRY Tim McGraw Htw Tim McGraw Htw Htw Htw Faith Hill Bk Faith Hill Bk Bk Bk

Sinister Minister, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Sinister Minister, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones When You come back down, nickel creek When You come back down, nickel creek Mark O'Connor and the New Nashville Cats Mark O'Connor and the New Nashville Cats Mumford and Sons – “I Will Wait” Mumford and Sons – “I Will Wait”