The History of Country Music

The history of country music  is a fascinating study of culture, music, geography and many other factors.  Contrary to popular belief, country music has its roots in Europe!  It did not begin in Nashville as one might be led to believe.  In fact, if any early center of country music had to be identified, it would be Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia not Nashville!

When our ancestors arrived in the southern Appalachian mountains of Virginia (including West Virginia) , Kentucky and Tennessee, they brought with them their cultures, customs and music.  The English, Irish, Scottish and Germans all had a major role to play in sharing their heritage through the music that had been passed on to them.  In these hills was born "Mountain Music", "Hillbilly" and eventually "Country Music" and many early performers would establish a precedent for what would become a commercial enterprise. 

 Try Slaughter, a Texan, better known as Vernon Dalhart, would become the first artist to sell a million copies of a recording.  "The Prisoner's Song" backed by "The Wreck of the Old 97" could be heard far and wide and recorded commercial country music had begun.  Following this period of time, other emerging artists would bloom as well.  While they would come from all over, the music they would sing and play would be from the mountains.

 Jimmy Rodgers, the "Carter Family" and many more artists all began their commercial music legacy in Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia!  Country music was beginning to become a major player in commercial recorded music.  The next several years would give rise to different expressions of that music through the different styles and instrumentation that would be used.  The Hank Williams' Sr. era would not yet begin as there were still other  different sounds to come.  Many of these early "hillbilly" music expressions would still come with modifications stemming from the Rodgers and Carter's styles. 

In 1923, a child would be born in rural Alabama who would eventually begin to set the standard of what would become country music.  Hiriam (Hank) Williams would emerge as a popular singer and writer. Mentored by a black  guitar player named Rufus Payne,  Hank would become a person and talent of great interest to all who heard him. His early radio shows would soon send the message out to all those listeners who enjoyed this new talent... Hank Williams had arrived!  Unfortunately, Hank Williams would die at the early age of 29 years in the backseat of his automobile somewhere between Knoxville, Tennessee and Oak Hill, West Virginia.  Country music truly lost a giant! 

 The life and works of Hank Williams deserve a special place in country music history and more will be said about him and his contribution in a book that I am writing about him.

 With the emergence of electricity, many types of changes would occur in the way musical sounds would be presented to the ear.  The guitar would become electrified and the accoustic instruments would become amplified.  The sounds of the fiddle, harmonica, banjo, mandolin and other accoustic instruments would be enhanced as well.  Then would come the steel guitar giving country music that distinct new sound that would set it apart  from many other music styles.  In addition, drums would soon come into play giving country music the added flavor that would make it a top contender in American music.  However, more changes were on the horizon and  various different flavors of country music would soon begin to emerge.  Country music would begin to travel and the era of the "Cowboy" and other western flavors of music would begin. 

 The "singing cowboys" of the silver screen would begin to bring forth the music of the old west and the plains.  Roy Rogers and Dale Evans would provide the entertainment at those Saturday afternoon matinees. Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Eddie Dean, Jimmy Wakely, Patsy Montana and a multitude of others would make the old west a regular fixture for millions of Americans.  In addition, Texas swing with Bob Wills and several other artists would bring a different flavor altogether.  However, the music was still country music but presented in a different flavor and there would be other flavors to follow!

The "Nashville Sound" and the "Bakersfield Sound" were two different new flavors that would come.  Commercial country music would be "sweetened" as they say and the hard driving guitar licks from Buck Owens in Bakersfield, California would bring some new changes to the music.  The steel guitar, coupled with strings, would bring a smooth and distinct flavor to country music and it would soon go "uptown".  The songs "Gone" and "Missing Persons" sung by Ferlin Husky in the late 50's would serve as a beginning sample of what the "Nashville Sound" would be and "Act Naturally", "Sam's Place"  and "Tiger by the Tail" would be the Buck Owens or "Bakersfield flavor". 

As country music was being shaped  and new artists setting new styles were emerging, country music was fast becoming a marketable product.  From Vernon Dalhart to the Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers, country music was beginning to flourish.  Then came Hank Williams and country music became an American product.  Hank Williams would become the cornerstone of true country and remains so to this very day.  Few have brought to country music the talents that Hank Williams would bring.  He was a singer, songwriter and philosopher all wrapped in one.  For a man to have lived such a short time, his legacy will last forever.

In summary, many great artists with their own styles would make their mark on country music.  Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce, Carl Smith, Ray Price, Faron Young, Johnny Cash, George Jones and Merle Haggard all would become giants in the field.  In addition, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette would make their mark as well.  Newer artists would come along and make a significant contribution as well.  Hank Williams Jr. is one of those! 

 Country music has many artists that deserve a place in history.  Little Jimmy Dickens, a West Virginian, has been a regular feature at the Opry in Nashville for years.  Stonewall Jackson, Minnie Pearl and Porter Wagoner have all been great one's.  Don Gibson, Johnny Horton, Marvin Rainwater have all had very distinctive careers in country music.  The list could go on and on!

 To credit all the artists that would make their place in country music history would require volumes and go beyond the intent of this review.  In no way is this review meant to be exhaustive in nature.  I have many other favorites I could have mentioned but time and space is limited. 

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Charlie Frederick, Educator/Singer/Songwriter