Roots of Country Music

It may surprise you but Nashville Tennessee is not the homeplace of country music. Rather, it is near by Bristol Tennessee that can take that credit. Bristol is located on the Tennessee and Virginia border. Appalachian mountain folk music was loved by the area and gained much popularity since the early colonization time in America. Perhaps another fact that may surprise you is that many of the music both played on the fiddle as well as sung were brought with the early settlers from Britain in the early years.

The music genre commonly known as country truly started out as folk music. The term country was donned on the genre when it began to be advertised by radio personalities. Country music originally was thought by radio marketeers to be music for white rural people from the southern and western states. Blues was slated as the music for black rural people from the southern states Population shifts has shifted since the early to mid 20s. Out of the move music genre RnB was primarily created as urban music.

In the early part of the 1900s musicians were traveling to New York City to record music. Ralph Peer from Victor Records decided in 1927 that it was time to try something a bit different. He traveled to Bristol, Tennessee to begin recording local musicians. Peer thought that he would be able to find some old time and "hillbilly" musicians on his trip. He was right, on this first trip he would sign the Carter Family as well as Virginia and Jimmie Rodgers of North Carolina. The Carters sang the old time mountain songs and Rodgers sang ballads and yodeled. Ralph Peer was pleased with what he found and soon the nation would be as well. The first steps on the country music journey had been launched and there would be more to follow. In 1998 the United States congress passed a resolution recognizing Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music"

Country music still includes songs about cowboy boots and pick up trucks. Country music still sings about traditional gender roles often with religious undertones. Country music often includes songs of romance with lots of emotional expressions. Country music songs are created as to be related to the individual going through the act of falling in love. The words are easy to remember as the story is repeated in both music and words. The individuals behind the early music should be thanked. Way before the Alan's or Brooks there was a man named Jimmie Rodgers

Known as "Father of Country Music" Jimmie Rodgers is credited with the first million selling single "Blue Yodel #1" as well as many other songs. He recorded his version of country music between 1927 and 1933. His music ended when Rodgers passed from this earth in 1933 after problems with TB were suffered.  In 1961 Rodgers was inducted into the country music hall of fame.

Johnny and June Carter Cash were early country stars as well. June was a member of that early country singing family the Carters. She sang, played multiple instruments and acted Johnny Cash as many know is a famous singer songwriter. The couple married in 1968 and until the early 2000s stayed married.



Do you enjoy the sounds of country music?? Who is your favorite Country Music Star?? 

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