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Country music is often criticized for being too simple, not sophisticated enough. But it’s a genre so deeply rooted in American culture that it has become impossible to ignore. The history of country music can be traced back to African-American and European folk songs from the 1800s, including gospel hymns and Appalachian ballads. It was popularized by artists like Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams Sr., who lived hard lives but still managed to write iconic country tunes about love lost or found; life on the farm; traditional values like patriotism and hard work. Singers like Patsy Cline (who sang “Crazy”), Tammy Wynette (whose hits include “Stand By Your Man”) and Dolly Parton (known for “I Will Always Love You”) mined a similar vein of traditional country values.
So why is it that today, pop and rock artists like Taylor Swift fill arenas while the biggest names in actual country music can barely draw an audience? The answer may be that people have always liked their entertainment to come from every angle—to take on different perspectives. Country music isn’t just about good ol’ boys driving trucks down dirt roads; it’s also about tales of broken relationships, lost love or heartbreak. It has been shaped by its own experiences with racism and hardship along with faithfulness, family structure and patriotism so many Americans share across party lines. And audiences are hungry for those kinds of narratives.
But what about the others? What does it mean to be a country fan in 2018 when you don’t fit into any of those categories? Plenty, as it turns out—and plenty that’s been overlooked and undervalued because we’re too busy policing its borders.
I read this book by Amanda Shoup, who is an award-winning songwriter with four number one singles on Billboard charts worldwide. She has written songs for artists like Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and many more; she also wrote “Girl Crush” which was recorded by Little Big Town (it went platinum!). I was so impressed with her insights that I reached out to get some answers to questions from someone close to the industry.
I was so impressed with her insights that I reached out to get some answers to questions from someone close to the industry.
You might also be interested in reading: The Early Days of Country Music ~~ by Amanda Shoup, published on January 25th 2018 (available as a Kindle edition at Amazon or an audiobook from Audible). This is a pretty good book if you’re looking for more information about country music history and culture! It’s only $0.99 right now too which is amazing. If you like this blog post then please share it around because people really need help understanding what we are talking about here lololol. Thanks y’all! ?? ?-Kelly Rowland?? ??@KellyRowland
If you like this blog post then please share it around because people really need help understanding what we are talking about here lololol. Thanks y’all!
There is a lot of misinformation out there, and I think the best way to combat that is by being open and honest – especially with someone who doesn’t understand why country music isn’t something they want to listen to or know more about. There’s nothing wrong with not listening to country music if you don’t enjoy it! But maybe, just maybe, after reading this article or some other articles on the topic, your feelings will change. You never know until you try :)?
The key to understanding what people don’t like about country music is that it’s not just one type of person who feels this way. Everyone has their own reasons as to why they dislike the genre, and these are some common ones:
-Country music makes them feel bad or sad; think of all those songs about breakups and drinking too much whiskey on Saturday nights – I’m sorry if you have a song that does make you happy, but there are so many more stories out there that involve heartache.
-Country music doesn’t sound good when played in public settings because it lives in such close proximity to bluegrass (and sometimes gospel) genres? ?? ?-Kelly Rowland?? ??@KellyRowland
Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States. It has both Appalachian folk and Western swing roots, but recent country songs may also incorporate pop, rock and R&B influences. In contrast to bluegrass or old-timey music, country tunes often use chord progressions which are not typical for traditional Western tonal harmony (for example, chords such as C minor with an added seventh degree). Country rhythms can be quite complex too – take honky-tonk for instance.
The lyrics include themes of romantic love; tales of working life; political commentary; and reflections on the state of society from various points in history.”It’s just about singers making decent livings by singing what they know,” says country singer Dwight Yoakam.
Country music has been criticized by some for its portrayal of women as either motherstimey folk singers from Appalachia because it originated there; others say any song that uses guitar chords typical of traditional Western tonal harmony (for example, chords such as C minor with an added seventh degree).
Country rhythms can be quite complex too – take honky-tonk for instance. The lyrics include themes of romantic love; tales of working life; political commentary; and reflections on the state of society from various points in history.”It’s just about singers making decent livings by singing what they know,” says country singer Dwight Yoakam.
“The broad swath is more sparsely populated than other genres because it appeals to a smaller demographic subgroup,” he said. “I would say that there are fewer people who hate country music than like it .” Country music has been criticized by some for its portrayal of women as either mother figures or folk singers example, chords such as C minor with an added seventh degree). Country rhythms can be quite complex too – take honky-tonk for instance.
Country music has been criticized by some for its portrayal of women as either motherstimey folk singers from Appalachia because it originated there; others say any song that uses guitar chords typical of traditional Western tonal harmony (for example, chords “dumb or dumber,” as the governor of Alabama famously put it.
Country music has been criticized by some for its portrayal of women as either “dumb or dumber,” as the governor of Alabama famously put it. Country songs often highlight rural themes: living in town and country; having to deal with crops (e.g., cotton) that are not cash crop items but which have a heavy impact on life locally.”It’s just about singers making decent livings by singing what they know,” says country singer Dwight Yoakam.
“The broad swath is more sparsely populated than other genres because it appeals to a smaller demographic subgroup,” he said. “I would say country music is based on the rural-urban dichotomy.” Country singers are often criticized for not being able to sing, with critics saying that country music relies heavily on voice projection and an ability to convey emotion in order to be effective.”The songs have a timeless quality because they’re about real life,” Dwight Yoakam said.”It’s just about singers making decent livings by singing what they know,” says country singer Dwight Yoakam. “I think it’s less accurate these days than it used to be when you had more of an image as kind of this hick-y type guy who speaks with his hands and doesn’t eat any vegetables,” he added. “That was more the stereotypical
