Midterms Flashcards
What is Bluegrass?
“updated” string band music- started in the mid 1940’s in the Appalachian Mountains. Used improv.
What are some characteristics of the Bluegrass sound?
Added steel guitar. Instrumental virtuosity (syncopation), close harmonies (high lonesome) Acoustic
Sources of Bluegrass
Visuals from Cowboys. Bigger record labels due to post WWII industrial boom. Anti-modern essentialist ideals.
Bill Monroe “Father of Bluegrass”
Kentucky (Appalachian Mountains) started in a brother act in 1930’s - Grand Opry 1950’s
Lester Flatt
Started in the Bluegrass boys but broke off on his own. Foggy Mountain Boys. Progressive Bluegrass. Made steel guitar a staple. Coined the term bluegrass
Bluegrass Meets Folk
Folk was a northern and upperclass modern and progressive genre. Women’s rights movement. The mixing of two worlds was not smooth. Younger country fans accepted the change but not older ones.
Osborne Brothers
example of bluegrass meets folk. From Kentucky but grew up in Midwest. Success in country music and “progressive bluegrass” because they were younger.
Bluegrass in Media
Backwoods family on Andy griffin Show. Deliverance (negative representation), Hee-Haw, Beverly Hillbillies, Bonnie & Clyde Getaway music.
Other Notable Traditional Bluegrass Groups
Stanley Brothers/Clinch Mountain Boys, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse
Other Notable Revival/Progressive Bluegrass Groups
“Doc” Watson and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
What is the Nashville Sound?
Studio band, songs written by the label, tech effects, smooth vocals and background singers, more complex music, country teen crooners
Chet Atkins
Nashville Producer, Tennessee, guitarist/producer, Found/trained/recruited acts
Owen Bradley
Nashville Producer with pop world connections, band recording and training
Don Law
Business
Music Row
Downtown Nashville insular country “industry” - All recording labels very close and in competition with each other.
CMA
1958 Academic study of country music
Patsy Cline
Born in Virginia, low class family, 2 abusive marriages, died on plane, revived by loretta lynn, honytonk/redneck/crossover
Saga Sounds
Decca but more authentic ex. Marty Robbins and Jimmy Dean
Bakersfield SoundBakersfield Sound
North of LA, “okies” working in the oil fields in shanty towns after migrating from the south. Resistance to Nashville Sound (ACM / Capitol Records), Similar to Honky-tonk but with amplification/shuffle rhythm, high backup singers, electric guitar
Buck Owens
From Southwest California, marriage and money troubles. Publisher at bluebox music
Merle Haggard
Family of Oakies, working class survival songs, Political (irony?), career in Bakersfield/Vegas/Nashville
The Dillards
West Coast “Folk Rock”, Elektra Records, Andy Griffith Show
Which Folk Musicians Recorded in Nashville?
Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Byrds, Gram Parsons
Country Rock
The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
