What is country music?

The Wild Man · 01-28-2009, 11:28 AM

When this style of music was starting to get very popular, let's say in the 30's, there was this rule:

If the artist is white, then it is country.
If the artist is black, then it is blues.

That's really how it was summed up back then, because the styles were simply just the same. Until Elvis started singing both, did the race boundaries change.

**Janszoon** · 01-29-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wild Man

When this style of music was starting to get very popular, let's say in the 30's, there was this rule:

If the artist is white, then it is country.
If the artist is black, then it is blues.

That's really how it was summed up back then, because the styles were simply just the same. Until Elvis started singing both, did the race boundaries change.

Not really. There's certainly a relationship between early country and early blues but they definitely are not the same style of music with just different color musicians playing it. Not a lot of fiddle found in blues for example.

Necromancer · 03-05-2010, 09:09 AM

Country music has crossed many different boundaries through the years, although I ilke alot of the classic country music & artist, I am more into the contemporary (country) artist like, Diamond Rio, Restless Hearts, etc. to name a few of the older ones. This one by the Zac Brown Band really hits home for me, I seen a poll the other day and the Zac Brown Band is rated as #3 in the top country artist 2010. Zac Brown-'Highway 20 Ride'. YouTube - Highway 20 Ride Lyrics HD

Daktari · 03-05-2010, 10:07 AM

I'm thinking country music is a coming together of the Celtic Irish/Scottish folk music which in America evolved into mountain music,(and later Bluegrass), merging in the 20th century with the African influenced music, blues, spiritual, gospel. I guess this happened out of the main big cities, hence the label 'Country'.

The boundaries or labels between different types of music are becoming more and more blurred. This is a good thing because it's all false anyway. Labels help organise things in a record store or places like Amazon but it's music at the end of the day. Either you like it or not.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of mainstream country but I do think The Zac Brown Band are excellent and I like Keith Urban and also Brad Paisley's guitar playing. It does not matter to me what label is attached to it if I happen to like it.

Gordon.

p.s The truth is, if we go back far enough, most music has it's routes in Africa probably along with life itself.

Necromancer · 03-05-2010, 10:38 AM

I will suggest, only by my own personal opinion, and without searching the internet for articles about the history of country music. I agree with other views that influeneces from other countries & cultures do obtain a place with the developement of the country music genre, (and so does about everything else, to be technical) but.., I see country music simply as an american heritage, as with blugrass, etc.

Confederate Country · 03-17-2010, 05:04 PM

every song tells a story. A great way for expressing feeling.

Skate62 · 03-19-2010, 11:40 PM

Seems music catagory preferences depend on whatever style of all music "you" enjoy to sing, play or dance to the most. The best of the best music crosses all barriers, and it seems to transend time too... Philosophical thread... I like it!

bubu · 03-20-2010, 11:13 AM

It is by the definition of music that there are no boundaries. Who are we to label things and impose our opinion on other people?

Degree7 · 03-20-2010, 05:37 PM

My persoanl favorite subgenre of country would be Bluegrass.

TheReverend · 03-20-2010, 06:55 PM

I dont like country music but I also dont think its folk or blues music either. Its not quite either of those, like the very basics of the music is different enough to have its own name.

01-28-2009, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
The Wild Man Groupie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 37	When this style of music was starting to get very popular, let's say in the 30's, there was this rule: If the artist is white, then it is country. If the artist is black, then it is blues. That's really how it was summed up back then, because the styles were simply just the same. Until Elvis started singing both, did the race boundaries change. __________________ Table-top nightmare Tell them I'm not scared

03-05-2010, 10:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Daktari Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Originally from Lancashire, England, lived near Largs, Scotland and now live in Rocky Face, Georgia Posts: 154	I'm thinking country music is a coming together of the Celtic Irish/Scottish folk music which in America evolved into mountain music,(and later Bluegrass), merging in the 20th century with the African influenced music, blues, spiritual, gospel. I guess this happened out of the main big cities, hence the label 'Country'. The boundaries or labels between different types of music are becoming more and more blurred. This is a good thing because it's all false anyway. Labels help organise things in a record store or places like Amazon but it's music at the end of the day. Either you like it or not. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of mainstream country but I do think The Zac Brown Band are excellent and I like Keith Urban and also Brad Paisley's guitar playing. It does not matter to me what label is attached to it if I happen to like it. Gordon. p.s The truth is, if we go back far enough, most music has it's routes in Africa probably along with life itself. Last edited by Daktari; 03-05-2010 at 10:13 AM.

03-20-2010, 05:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
Degree7 Groupie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 25	My persoanl favorite subgenre of country would be Bluegrass. __________________ Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.

03-20-2010, 06:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheReverend Strong and Quite Strong Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: When you get out on the interstate, take a left after the gas station Posts: 64	I dont like country music but I also dont think its folk or blues music either. Its not quite either of those, like the very basics of the music is different enough to have its own name. __________________ One day dude, one day I'm just gonna get off the bus, an I'm gonna run into the woods an I'm never gonna come back. And when I come back, I'm gonna be the night master

03-05-2010, 09:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	Country music has crossed many different boundaries through the years, although I ilke alot of the classic country music & artist, I am more into the contemporary (country) artist like, Diamond Rio, Restless Hearts, etc. to name a few of the older ones. This one by the Zac Brown Band really hits home for me, I seen a poll the other day and the Zac Brown Band is rated as #3 in the top country artist 2010. Zac Brown-'Highway 20 Ride'. YouTube - Highway 20 Ride Lyrics HD

03-05-2010, 10:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	I will suggest, only by my own personal opinion, and without searching the internet for articles about the history of country music. I agree with other views that influeneces from other countries & cultures do obtain a place with the developement of the country music genre, (and so does about everything else, to be technical) but.., I see country music simply as an american heritage, as with blugrass, etc.

03-17-2010, 05:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Confederate Country Groupie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Selby North Yorkshire Posts: 3	every song tells a story. A great way for expressing feeling.

03-19-2010, 11:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Skate62 Groupie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Seems music catagory preferences depend on whatever style of all music "you" enjoy to sing, play or dance to the most. The best of the best music crosses all barriers, and it seems to transend time too... Philosophical thread... I like it!

03-20-2010, 11:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
bubu Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 112	It is by the definition of music that there are no boundaries. Who are we to label things and impose our opinion on other people?