something about country music

英语资料，关于乡村音乐的起源，发展等等！谢谢！

第一篇

The beginning of Modern Country Music

Although country music goes way back, it was not until August 1st, 1927 that modern country music really began. The two pioneers of this era are The Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers. On August 1, 1927 these two began their recording contracts and signed with Victor Records in Bristol, Tennessee.

The 80's....when it began to change
In the late 70's and early 80's, country music began to stray from the way it was known for many years. Not to say it was bad, but it was different. The group "Alabama" got their start in the early 80's and produced several hits. Prior to being known as Alabama, they were known as "Wild Country" which is the name they still use for their corporate matters. Going back before Wild Country, Alabama was known as "Young Country". The 1980's also displayed such names as Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, and George Strait. Country Music had no idea what the 90's would bring with a new superstar waiting in the wings.


The 90's....a star is born

If one person could be named as being responsible for the take-off of country music and opening it to new audiences, it would have to be Garth Brooks. His style and songs brought newer and younger audiences over to country. Songs like "If tomorrow never comes" and "The Dance" remain among the most popular to this day. Another figure that is always at the top of today's country is George Strait with popular songs such as "All My Ex's Live In Texas" and "Check, yes or no". Today's country music is bringing younger people than ever before.

The Millenium....crossover
There are those that say Country has lost it's roots. The distinction between country and pop is becoming less noticable. The crossover has become a revolving door with pop songs being redone by country artists and country artists crossing over into the pop field. The look of country is being lost in the newer artists. Artists like Faith Hill and Shania Twain have crossed the boundries from country to pop. The days of cowboy hats, bluejeans and boots are replaced by sequenced gowns, leather pants, high heels, and diamonds. Age groups listening to today's country music is becoming younger. This could be because country is losing it's heritage, drawing a different type of listener. Will the change be a healthy one for country music? Time will only tell.


Who is listening to today's country? How does over 77 million adults sound for starters? It's become America's most popular radio format actually with sales today exceeding 1.7 billion dollars. Quite an in increase from slightly over 921 million dollars in the late 1980's


第二篇

A HISTORY OF COUNTRY MUSIC

Country music is America's most popular radio format, reaching more than 77 million adults (almost 40% of the population) on a weekly basis. Many country music stations are the #1 radio station in their respective markets, including many markets not traditionally known as "country" markets. International country music sales also continue to grow, with more and more country artists embarking on world tours.

1900 - 1920: Country music begins as "mountain music," telling stories of hardship and heartache in the Appalachian and Old West regions of the US.


1920s: With the introduction of radio, country music hits the national airwaves. Beginning in 1925, performances are broadcast live on Saturday nights from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.


1930s: The growth of the broadcast and recording industry and the emergence of country singer/songwriters continues. Western/Cowboy movies dominate the big screen and country music featured in films becomes widely popular.


1940-1952: Nashville emerges as the mecca of country music. Western Swing (country dance music), a blend of jazz, blues, and big band, comes to the forefront. Bluegrass emerges with the influence of the banjo. Hank Williams dominates the country music scene with his freewheeling, fun loving, "honky tonk" get-up and dance music.


1953-1959: Country music is fused with rhythm and blues to create the "rockabilly" sound. This style of music gains a younger audience and becomes a national phenomenon, with top artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and "The King of Rock 'n Roll," Elvis Presley.


1960s: Nashville becomes known as "Music City USA." Country music moves to the foreground with the "Nashville Sound," a mix of country and pop music. Easy listening music dominates, with top artists including Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Brenda Lee.


1970-1974: Country artists top both the country and pop charts for the first time and have mass crossover appeal. Top artists include Tanya Tucker, Olivia Newton-John, and Conway Twitty.


1972-1978: Country finally becomes "cool" and becomes a big hit on many college campuses, with disaffected singer/songwriters leading the pack. "Outlaws" (as they were called), including Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, are known for breaking with big business in an effort to do country music their own way.


1980-1985: Country culture invades the continent. Texas/Country bars pop up in cities across the US, with patrons riding on mechanical bulls, line dancing, etc. Country musicians are highly visible and promoted extensively, with top artists such as Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris, Alabama, and Dolly Parton going on extensive tours and even being featured in Walt Disney specials. Urban Cowboy and Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 top the box office.


1986-1990: Invasion of the "New Traditionalists." Country music ventures back to its roots, with top artists including Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, and Reba McEntire.


1991-1995: Country music continues to incorporate pop music into its sound, with artists such as Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna Judd, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, and Martina McBride leading the pack. With his big hat and driving guitar, Garth Brooks establishes himself as the most popular country music artist of all time, based on record sales and worldwide concert venue.


1996-present: Country music grows its fan base to include a young adult/teen audience willing to spend money both at the record store and on concerts. Listeners alienated by the direction of modern rock and rap began finding country a wholesome alternative. With the growth of a young fan base, younger, sexier country artists emerge to dominate both the pop and country music charts, including LeeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack, and The Dixie Chicks.

第三篇

A brief history of Country Music
by Piero Scaruffi
An appendix to the The History of Rock Music
TM, ®, Copyright © 2005 Piero Scaruffi. All rights reserved.
太长乐，贴不开，自己看吧

http://www.scaruffi.com/history/country.html