Receiving an acceptance letter from Vanderbilt University gives any student the opportunity of a college experience unlike any other. Is it the social life? Is it the Greek community? How about the Southeastern Conference sports scene? The answer to all of these questions is yes. But I failed to mention what sets Vanderbilt apart from almost any other school in the world: its location in downtown Nashville. Nashville, Tennessee isn’t called “Music City, USA” without reason. From the Grand Ole Opry to the dozens of stages on Broadway, Nashville is the epicenter of country music. Every night of the week, students have the opportunity to walk, bike, or taxi cab down to Broadway to hear some of the most talented country artists in the world. Specifically, The Don Kelley band plays on a weekly basis at Robert’s Western World and is known as one of the elite cover bands in Nashville. After attending their show earlier this year, it was apparent that their talent earned them their reputation. In this paper, I will overview the band, review their live performance, and draw connections between the band and earlier generations of music.…
Country music is often viewed as the whitest and most segregated genre of music; however, its roots mainly stem from the working-class Black man. Evidence of African Americans’ involvement in the country genre can be dated decades back. However, as time continues on, their presence has come to a halt because genres such as hip-hop and R&B have evolved and become more accepting of the Black community. DeFord Bailey, who was the first African American country artist, had a strong influence on the progression of country music, yet it took years after his death for Bailey to get recognized in the Country Music Hall of Fame----mainly due to his race. The idea of white dominance…
This investigation will explore the question: To what extent did the events of the Civil War affect American musical culture between the years 1851-1875? The time period chosen, 1851-1875, will be examined closely in order to determine the changes in American musical preferences and trends caused by the Civil War. The first source to be evaluated is the book by Christian McWhirter - Battle Hymns: The Power and Popularity of Music in the Civil War, written in 2012. The use of this source is essential, given that McWhirter was an instructor of US History and Western History at the University of Alabama, as well as an assistant editor at the National Archives in Washington DC, where he researched and analyzed historical documents for almost 7…
Rock and roll has been an integral part of American culture since the 1950s. Throughout the decades, Rock and Roll has contributed to the vast array of sounds and musical styles in the pantheon of musical genres. Rock and roll has also influenced the creation of other musical subgenres, including alternative, metal, hardcore, punk, and grunge. Inspired by the emergence of blues and jazz, and the popularization of country, rock ‘n’ roll strived to imprint a deeper legacy into U.S. society and culture. Rock and Roll has also been very important in popularizing the genre of music. Key players in the Rock and Roll have transformed the genre into something that is now ingrained within our culture…
In 1900, 41% of the workforce were employed in agriculture, 100 years later this diminished to 1.9%; astonishingly, during this timeframe, the U.S. population exploded from 71 million to 273 million. In the 1980s, the American family farmer once the backbone of the U.S. economy now faced dire straits, plagued by corporate consolidation and economic hardships. The family farmer was dying. In times of hardship, many families gather around a table of food, couple food with the force of music that unites and a powerful partnership can amplify a voice and a cause. Panderer, actor, artist, rock star, cultural icon were some terms used to describe John “Cougar” Mellencamp, not necessarily attributes that conjure the image of a savior for the farming future. However, Mellancamp was also deemed a “Heartland Rocker” which he claimed to never understand yet liked anyways . Regardless of how people may have viewed him, it is undeniable that Mellencamp’s music had a great impact both culturally and socially. His politically relevant and heartfelt anthem “Rain on the…
Music is a powerful tool of expression. Whether produced or listened to, it can reveal deep aspects of ones personality. Song’s can hold unique personal meanings through memory or message. During time’s of desperation, music’s constant rhythm can provide a fortress of comfort and steadiness. Music is depended upon for security, care, inspiration, and as a safe haven to be able to express freely. The Highlander Folk School is depended upon for the same reasons. These two schools of thought not only share similar relationship’s with people, but they are practiced together frequently. “Song, music and food are integral parts of education at Highlander. Music is one way for people to express their traditions, longings, and determination” (158). Myles Horton seemed certainly aware of the importance music had at Highlander, but never expressed it further than this quote from near the end of his autobiography, The Long Haul. How big of a role did music play in the Highlander education? Producing a safer environment, a more enriched education, and the ability to unleash potential, music was essential in the Highlander education.…
In every era of American history, the population looks towards leaders of the free world and their politicians for much of the guidance and answers that they seek. But often times the lesser influences of “pop culture icons” are often overlooked. When the general masses idolized a single event, trend, or person so much, the latter can have an impact on social trends with enduring and meaningful significance. Often times a prominent musician, for example, has the power to sway the masses, and create social movements that encourage positive (or even sometimes negative) change that encompass a surrounding society. Through his Americana lyrics, and strong embrace of the American dream and spirit, Woody Guthrie has achieved a cultural and iconic status in the American landscape.…
Musicians possessed both the ability to perform, and in many cases manufacture their own instruments. Traditional homemade instruments in the blues culture such as one string guitars, and “diddley bows,” drums and fifes all had direct connections to West African musical culture. But the strongest vehicle for expressing the blues, was the human voice. Lyrics of the blues expressed African American’s frustration toward a myriad of difficulties. Singers of The Blues gained important social stature which helped bolster their standing among their peers. Blues men who sang possessed a distinctive advantage when finding a place to live, and competing for women. While the blues men sought shelter and companionship, others in society found entertainment in their songs, and comfort in their lyrics. Words to original and improvised Blues songs depict the strained relationship between men and women, the difficulty of their times, and speak directly to the emotions of all members in the…
Music is used to help people of every ethnicity, religion, and lifestyle, cope with different struggles, times of enjoyment, and life itself. But, what is it about music that makes it so therapeutic? It’s the fact that no matter what the genre of music is, it’s what message that artist is putting out into the world. It’s the beat, the tone, and the emotion behind the lyrics is what makes listeners feel the way they do because it speaks on a specific aspect of life and what someone can be going through.…
It’s funny how flexible and versatile music is. Music is thrash metal emanating from a pair of iPod headphones, with the intent of getting someone motivated for a long workout, and a soothing lullaby sung by a mother to her child. Music is the sunny chirpings of pretty morning melodies by the birds, and the soft pitter-patter of rain—nature’s music. And on May 4th, music was the choirs of CLC putting together all of the hard work of the semester for the few who are willing to listen. For me, choir music was always to be heard, but never to actually be listened to for any enjoyment. But that night, I was one of those willing few. Attending the College of Lake County Spring Choral Concert made me realize how essential it is to recognize the beauty in versatility in music.…
However, there are many who would argue that Americans stole cultural ideas from other areas. The most obvious example is music. Elvis Presley was, and still is, a music icon; however many believe that he stole the idea of Rock ‘n’ roll from African Americans. An online article voice, “... an equal and opposite meme holds that Elvis stole rock from its original black performers—that he put a white face on black music and then unjustly profited from white America's clueless and racist marketing preferences” (Getting Elvis's Legacy Right). A valid point indeed, yet as the article states, it is a “meme”. Likewise, the article also asserts, “In reaction to the transparently false claim that Elvis invented rock and roll…” This argument is blatantly…
Today there are many different types of music; Rap, Hip-Hop, Classic Rock, Rock, Jazz, Southern Rock, and many more. But now Country Music has inspired all ages from young to old, from people getting married, death in familys, losing close friends, then to break ups, to best friends, from animals and clothes. It's the all around truth about everyday life, they talk about Big Ol' Pick-Up trucks, hunting, then going out having fun in the mud. If any music inspired me the most it would definatly be Country music. But two Country singers inspired me the most.…
The older versions of black music is better than the modern day black music. The first Africans transported to this country came from a variety of ethnic groups with a long history of distinct and cultivated musical traditions. African Americans used homemade drums and banjos to communicate among themselves. In fact, back the 1700s, drums had been banned on many slave plantations. Slaves on southern plantations had their own musical styles, which later evolved into gospel, blues, and what is now known as bluegrass, or country music.…
As it is known that African Americans used literature, art, dressing, styles, behavior to express themselves, but the funk music remained a major form of escapism from everyday life for African Americans during that era. The funk music was seen as counterculture as soul and disco were more mainstream and played on popular radio. Funk music was banned to “black radio and local neighborhoods” being that this music did not only challenge the dominant ideology but also gave confidence and power to African Americans. Although critics argue that Funk music has faded away in today’s society, nevertheless, the emergence of hip-hop and rap music was influenced by funk music. Funk music was known as protest lyrics, but rap became a genre that evolved from funk music after the 1970’s (Morant, 2011, p. 80). The music during the civil rights movements eventually became popular and commercialized; several people became part of the civil rights movements and “it created a feeling of courage, closeness and belongingness with other members of the civil rights party” (Freeland, 2009). Listening and singing these songs served as a cultural activity for civil rights activists as raised people consciousness (Roy, 2010). The music made them one while…
During the 40’s and 50’s Bluegrass music was a big influence in society. It combined traditional folk ballads, gospel songs, and string band music to create a style characterized by instrumental intelligence, and high-pitched vocals. Its history, instruments, and influences are what make Bluegrass one of the most distinctive American forms of music. Bluegrass music is the old time Country music, which has been influenced by Scottish-Irish, British, the blues, Negro spirituals, and gospel music as well. It had its start on the rural south and came about in the 1940’s after World War II. It was a mixture of hillbilly, folk and various types of Country that were popular with the farm families and blue-collar workers. Country music’s origin dates back to the early 1920s. It infuses archaic ballads and folk music created by White Americans as well as forms of African-American music.…