In my term paper I will examine the question “Why is Country Music in America so popular?” Therefore, I will concentrate on the development of country music from traditional folk music to commercial music. I will reflect on the influences of the immigrants who entered the USA to build a brave new world, different to the old wo rld of Europe, which they assumed to be overpopulated and morally corrupt. On the basis of several selected books and articles, like those of Bill Malone, Seymor Martin Lipset and Rachel Rubin, I will emphasize the meaning of the most traditional music of America. Analyzing changes in the musical development, I will explain them as a consequence of the country’s changing social circumstances by using the example of the Bakersfield movement in the 1930s. I will furthermore outline the most important facts and events regarding the music, including the life and work of Merle Haggard, who perfectly represented the theme of nostalgia in country music. At the end, I will emphasize the commercial aspect of country music, its Western image and the high efficiency of the Nashville music publishing industry.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction to Country Music
- 1.1 Outline of the Paper
- 1.2 An Overview on the Development of Country Music
- 2. The Term Country Music and the Content of this Genre
- 2.1 The Origin of Country Music
- 2.2 The Instruments
- 3. The Content of Country Music
- 3.1 The Meaning of Home in Country Music
- 3.2 The Bakersfield sound - Nostalgia in American country music
- 3.3 Merle Haggard - The Nostalgic Star of Bakersfield
- 4. Why is Country Music so Popular in America?
- 4.1 The Settlement of the European Immigrants in America
- 4.2 America's Fear of Urbanization
- 4.3 Country Music as Contradiction to the Urban Development of America
- 5. The Commercial Factor of Country Music
- 5.1 The Western Image
- 5.2 Nashville - Music City, U.S.A.
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the enduring popularity of country music in America. It traces the genre's development from its folk music roots to its commercial success, examining the influence of immigration and societal shifts on its evolution. The paper will analyze how country music reflects and interacts with the broader American cultural landscape.
- The historical development of country music from its folk origins.
- The impact of immigration on the formation and evolution of country music.
- The role of country music as a reflection of American societal values and anxieties.
- The commercialization of country music and its impact on the genre's diversity.
- The significance of nostalgia and traditional themes in country music.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction to Country Music: This introductory chapter lays out the paper's central question: why is country music so popular in America? It provides a brief overview of the paper's structure and methodology, highlighting the examination of country music's evolution from traditional folk music to commercial success. It introduces key figures and texts that will be analyzed throughout the paper, foreshadowing the exploration of the impact of immigration and societal change on the genre's development.
2. The Term Country Music and the Content of the Music: This chapter delves into the origins and defining characteristics of country music. It contrasts the genre with the commercially produced "Tin Pan Alley" sound, highlighting its roots in the oral traditions of poor, rural white Americans of English, Irish, and Scottish descent in the South and Midwest. Importantly, it emphasizes the multicultural influences shaping early country music, acknowledging contributions from various immigrant groups, including Germans, Native Americans, Spanish, French, and African Americans. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the genre's diverse heritage.
3. The Content of Country Music: This chapter explores the thematic content of country music, focusing on the enduring significance of "home" as a central motif. It promises to examine the Bakersfield sound and its association with nostalgia in American country music, using Merle Haggard as a case study of a key figure embodying these themes. This sets the stage for a deeper analysis of the cultural and emotional resonance of these themes within the context of American society.
4. Why is Country Music so Popular in America?: This chapter delves into the societal factors contributing to country music's popularity. It explores the experiences of European immigrants settling in America and their relationship to the genre. It examines America's anxieties surrounding urbanization and how country music acts as a counterpoint to these anxieties, suggesting a link between the genre’s themes and the anxieties of American society navigating rapid change. This section will likely offer further insight into the enduring appeal of country music’s traditional values.
5. The Commercial Factor of Country Music: This chapter explores the commercialization of country music, examining its "Western image" and the significant role of Nashville as a music industry center. It likely analyzes the strategies employed to transform a folk genre into a commercially viable product, thereby explaining its evolution and reach within American culture. This will encompass a discussion of the industry's impact on both the artistic and popular aspects of country music, as well as its broader influence on the American cultural landscape.
Keywords
Country music, American culture, immigration, urbanization, nostalgia, commercialization, folk music, Bakersfield sound, Merle Haggard, Nashville, Tin Pan Alley, hillbilly music, multiculturalism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Country Music in America
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper exploring the enduring popularity of country music in America. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview aims to offer a structured overview of the paper's content and arguments.
What topics are covered in the paper?
The paper explores the historical development of country music, tracing its origins from folk music to its commercial success. It examines the influence of immigration and societal shifts on its evolution, analyzing how country music reflects and interacts with the broader American cultural landscape. Specific topics include the origins of country music, the significance of "home" as a central theme, the Bakersfield sound and its association with nostalgia, the role of Merle Haggard, the impact of urbanization and the commercialization of country music, and the importance of Nashville as a music industry center.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical development of country music from its folk origins; the impact of immigration on its formation and evolution; the role of country music as a reflection of American societal values and anxieties; the commercialization of country music and its impact on the genre's diversity; and the significance of nostalgia and traditional themes in country music.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: 1. Introduction to Country Music; 2. The Term Country Music and the Content of this Genre; 3. The Content of Country Music; 4. Why is Country Music so Popular in America?; and 5. The Commercial Factor of Country Music. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of country music's history, development, and cultural significance.
What are the chapter summaries?
Chapter 1 provides an introduction and overview. Chapter 2 delves into the origins and defining characteristics of country music, highlighting its diverse heritage. Chapter 3 explores the thematic content of country music, focusing on the significance of "home" and the Bakersfield sound. Chapter 4 examines the societal factors contributing to country music's popularity, exploring the impact of immigration and urbanization. Chapter 5 explores the commercialization of country music and the role of Nashville.
Who are some key figures mentioned in the paper?
Merle Haggard is mentioned as a key figure embodying nostalgia in the Bakersfield sound.
What are some key terms associated with the paper?
Keywords include Country music, American culture, immigration, urbanization, nostalgia, commercialization, folk music, Bakersfield sound, Merle Haggard, Nashville, Tin Pan Alley, hillbilly music, and multiculturalism.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The paper aims to explain the enduring popularity of country music in America by examining its historical development, its reflection of American societal values and anxieties, and the impact of commercialization on its evolution. It suggests that country music serves as a counterpoint to the anxieties associated with urbanization and rapid societal change.
What is the intended audience for this paper?
The intended audience is likely academic, focusing on researchers and students interested in American cultural studies, music history, and sociology.
- Quote paper
- Juliane Hanka (Author), 2005, Country Music as Reflection on the American Culture, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/35848
