Early 20 th Century

Blues & the Recording Industry Music was starting to be recorded: Some artists started moving north into the cities Recording companies would go into the south and capture the sounds of the blues Became to be known as race records Record companies advertised exclusively to blacks and only black stores sold the records

1922: The first commercial recording of country music: “Sallie Gooden” A.C. (Eck) Robertson First known as “hillbilly” music yizfP2pfQck yizfP2pfQck

What was it? A by-product of the rise of the race records Record black artists for the black market Record white artists for the white market The blues – and the race records – were VERY popular in the phonograph industry. Radio stations – not so much. The racial implications still existed So a new style was found – hillbilly music.

Stereotypes (yes, again…) Define Hillbilly. Term first appears in 1900 in a New York newspaper - “a Hill-Billie is a free and untrammeled white citizen of Alabama, who lives in the hills, has no means to speak of, dresses as he can, talks as he pleases, drinks whiskey when he gets it, and fires off his revolver as the fancy takes him.”

Other Stereotypes Poor Tattered clothes Large amounts of children Drunks Stupid, dumb, ignorant

The “official” definition Refers to people who live in rural, mountain regions of the eastern United States. Mainly – the Appalachians Western PA West Virginia Kentucky Tennessee Today…the term is usually replaced by “White trash” “Hick”

Early Hillbilly (country) music Relationship between country and the city Migration geographically Migration time-wise (present – past) Looking back to “the good old days” When life was simpler, easier, etc.

Early Hillbilly music - With this musical message, who was the intended audience? Rural (white) farming communities WHY?

Their lifestyles were changing – moving from a farming to an industrial nation Leaving farms (rural areas) to go work in the cities (urban areas) Times were changing VERY quickly (too quickly perhaps)

Instruments The earliest hillbilly (country) music used string instruments.

Fiddle (Violin)Dulcimer

Mandolin Banjo

..and the steel guitar -Common in Hawaiian music - Enters country music in the 1930’s

Steel Guitar - 1:03

Drums were viewed by early country musicians as being "too loud" and "not pure“ By 1935, Western bands were starting to use drums

Similarities Features of Country Hardships Pitch bending on Steel Guitar Yodeling Tells a story “picking” sound Close vocal harmonies Features of Blues Bluesy text Pitch bending on Guitar Vocals (moans/grunts) Tells a story Jazz style influence 1 singer Differences

Jimmie Rodgers ( ) Born in Mississippi… or Alabama. Not really sure where. IMPACT: Blended the hillbilly & blues styles

Characteristics Personal tone – as if he was right here singing to you Focus is on the words – NOT the guitar Who were the two blues artists who DID focus on the guitar? Introduction of “yodeling”

Waiting for a Train 1928 Recorded BEFORE the great depression, but the lyrics are foreshadowing t=RDM0ftVEeRtn4#t=0 t=RDM0ftVEeRtn4#t=0

The Blue Yodels Series of thirteen songs written and recorded by Jimmie Rodgers during the period from 1927 to his death in May Bar Blues Format

The Carter Family From the foothills of Virginia AP “Doc”, Sara (wife), Sister-in- law Maybelle A “dynasty” in this genre: the last of the family died in 1979 AP Carter Wife: Sara Carter Sister in Law: Maybelle Carter

The Carter Family : Over 300 recordings Their image: Family life Very conservative simple stage shows

Ralph Peer Their producer What does a producer do? Published all the music in his company Helped set up recording contracts Split profits with the Carter family

Wildwood Flower

When I’m Gone miss-me-evolution-of-a-song miss-me-evolution-of-a-song Modern Version…

Lasting Influence Inspired musicians in… Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Rock, Folk Music of the 1960’s Second generation (their children) – joined the group June Carter (Maybelle’s daughter) Married Johnny Cash

Hank Williams September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953 one of the most significant and influential singers and songwriters of the 20th Century Known for his distinct guitar style /watch?v=cS4LCoh0VGQ /watch?v=cS4LCoh0VGQ