In the 1920s, in order to cater to the tastes of rural audiences, some radio stations began to play mountain music, such as "National Barn Dance" in Chicago (1924) and "Big Old Opry" in Nashville (1925), which were very popular. This practice encourages musicians in mountainous areas to record on the radio, and also encourages record companies to look for talents everywhere to record records. From then on, mountain music began to blend into the mainstream of American pop music, and the earliest country singers appeared, such as James Rogers and the Carter family singing group.
James Rogers (1897 ~ 1933) is regarded as the pioneer of country music, and is nicknamed "the king of country music", which combines blues, white folk songs and folk songs. His singing is calm and carefree, forming a unique singing style of the mountain people: "Blue yodel". Although he suffered from lung disease all his life, he never gave up his love for country music. From 1929 to 1933, Rogers recorded 1 10 songs, and on May 26th, 1933, James Rogers, who was in his prime of life just two days after recording, died due to the deterioration of his illness.
The Carter Family (composed of Alvin Carter, 189 1 ~ 1960, his wife and brother-in-law) won the audience's love with its comfortable and harmonious style and focus on family, God and faith. For artists like the Carters, singing is just an amateur way to make a living. But in the initial stage of country music, they did make great contributions to the development of country music, and also left valuable recording materials for early country music.
Second, the swing of the West.
In 1930s, due to the economic depression in the southeastern part of the United States, record sales dropped sharply, and country music could only maintain its audience through a large number of radio programs. At this time, the original singing group was gradually replaced by individual singing. For example, Roy Akov, gene autry and others became the focus at this time. In this context, Bob Wills from Texas mixed a lot of cowboy songs (a romantic love song from the countryside) and swing music into country music, creating a western swing style similar to the lineup of "big bands". 1933, Bob Wells successfully introduced this new style, which combines dance rhythm, violin timbre, big band lineup, jazz singing, drum set and twisted guitar, to the market, thus making it the title of "King of West Swing".
Third, bluegrass music.
In the 1940s, another kind of country music called bluegrass music appeared in the mountains of Kentucky. On the basis of country music, it absorbed the banjo music and violin music of the local ancient corn threshing party, as well as the ballads of the southern mountainous areas.
The singing of bluegrass music is generally multi-voice. In addition to the main theme, a harmony part is often superimposed on it with falsetto, and sometimes a bass part or two is added below the main theme. Its accompaniment instruments feature banjo and violin, and sometimes folk instruments such as mandolin and double bass are used. The characteristics of traditional country music without drum sets have also been preserved in bluegrass music. The speed of bluegrass music is generally faster, about 160-330 beats per minute.
Bluegrass music is influenced by jazz during its development, and there are often gorgeous improvisations in instrumental passages. In the 1970s, when electro-acoustic instruments were widely used in other country music, they still played traditional instruments. Famous bluegrass musicians and bands include: Bluegrass Boy led by Bill Monroe (19 1 1 ~), Osborne Brothers, Qiang Sen Hill Boy and Bluegrass in Nashville.
Fourth, the voice of Nashville.
In 1950s, Nashville became a concentration camp for country music, where most famous country musicians came from. Therefore, "The Voice of Nashville" has also become synonymous with country music.
Before World War II, although country music had been widely spread, it was still a kind of regional music in general. Because of the war, the population movement has accelerated, and people from different cultural backgrounds have more contacts, especially many young people from rural areas in the south, who have moved to cities in the north and the east and west. As a result, the influence of country music has further expanded, and it has become a popular music form with national influence, and it is officially called country music (there was no specific name for country music before), and sometimes it is also called country music and western music.
Many country musicians have contributed to bringing country music out of the south or midwest, among which hank williams made the greatest contribution.
Hank hank williams (1923 ~ 1953) was born in Alabama. In style, he is neither like the southeast harmony style nor the popular western swing music style. He created a depressing but firm singing style. Hank williams's position in the country music industry in the 1940s was just like that of James Rogers in the 1920s, or even higher.
Williams started recording in 1946, and he released a series of songs that hit the pop music market. Such as Acacia Blues, No Tears Tonight, Your Cheating Heart and You Win Again, among which Jambalaya (Case 65438+) is the most famous representative work. Williams also retained some ancient religious elements in his music and created some powerful traditional gospel songs.
1953 On New Year's Day, Williams died of drug overdose in the back seat of his car. Almost all the country singers of his generation are influenced by him, and his works in the country song collection may be more than anyone else.
Since the end of World War II, the prosperity of American society has made country music develop rapidly. For example, at this time, the radio program of "Old-fashioned Grand Theatre" had10 million listeners, and the program of "National Barn Dance" became more and more popular. Nashville's voice began to spread all over the country.
Fifth, the rebellious era of country music.
The 1960s was the most brilliant decade in the history of country music, during which top country musicians like george jones, Johny Cash and Patsy Cline appeared. However, due to the popularity of country music, Nashville's position as a country music center has been challenged. For example, Backsfield in California and Austin in Texas have become one of the future country music centers because of the appearance of famous singers. By the 1970s, country music had become obsolete, so a "rebel movement" changed the traditional mode of country music. The original way that producers choose songs and arrange the production of tracks has met with strong opposition from many people. They demand that they choose their own songs, make their own songs, reflect their own way of thinking and safeguard their publishing rights. Willie Nelson led the "rebel movement".
From 65438 to 0968, producers in Nashville strongly rejected Nelson's fresh personalized music, so William Nelson left Nashville and went to Austin, Texas. There, he started an annual concert, which attracted a group of young people with the same hobbies. Their simple and deep-rooted style and personalized expression make country music present a more complicated situation.
When new concepts are mixed together, an argument arises, "What is country music?"
Kenny rogers, a famous country singer, replied: "Country music is all the music that country people buy." A simple answer perfectly explains the voices of all country musicians, that is, what is country music is not important, but how to make country listeners feel different, fresh and familiar country life experiences.
In view of the complexity of country music, here are three different styles of country music for your reference.
Country blues is a combination of country music and blues music. Representative figures are Charlie Ritchie and roy rogers.
Pop country music, that is, mixing more pop music elements into country music, is more easily accepted and loved by people. Representative figures include kenny rogers, Reba McIntyre, etc.
Country rock, that is, the combination of country music and rock music (see the rock music section for details).
Sixth, country singers
As we mentioned earlier, country music is developing continuously, showing a situation far more complicated than folk songs, and the integration of various styles has promoted the prosperity of country music. After the 1970s, country music showed a more active atmosphere, so it was more difficult to classify it in style. However, as the "national pop music" in the United States, it retains the traditional style of mountain music, such as simple tunes, steady rhythm, strong narrative and strong local flavor; When singing, nasal sounds are often used, and sometimes various singing techniques such as sliding sound are used; The accompaniment of traditional banjo and violin is unique. It is with these distinctive personalities that country music has achieved great success in business. Next, I will introduce several country singers who have achieved great success in business.
John denver (john denver)
John denver,1943 65438+February 3 1, was born in New Mexico in the southwest of the United States. He likes music since he was a child. When he was 8 years old, his grandmother gave him a guitar and began to learn music. He majored in architectural design when he was young. 197 1 year, he gave up his studies and devoted himself to the creation and singing of country songs. At that time, Country Road (case 13), which praised the beautiful scenery of Virginia mountains, became famous at one fell swoop. 1972 entered the TV screen with a song "Loki Mountain High" and became the host of ABC's "Midnight Special Program".
Denver is familiar with country life and loves nature. Most of his songs praise nature and human friendship and good feelings. Because of his simple and beautiful tunes, fresh and exciting contents and poetic and philosophical lyrics, he enjoys the reputation of "Poet Laureate" in Lolado. His guitar playing and singing are even more famous in the world.
1997 10 10 In October, Denver crashed while flying its own private jet, at the age of 54.
John denver's representative works are Country Road (197 1), Rocky Mountain High School (1972), Song of Anne (1974) and Harmony.
Kenny kenny rogers.
Kenny rogers was born in Houston, Texas. When he was in high school, he studied guitar and violin and played in a mountain rock band called Scholars. 1966, he made his own name? Quot The first edition of the band was dissolved on 1972. From 1976, Rogers turned from hippie style to steady country music road and became an innovator of country music. He integrated a lot of pop music elements into country music, making the two perfectly combined. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rogers was busy with charity, concerts, TV programs, movies, photography and his fast food chain.
Kenny rogers has a rich voice and a free and easy expression. He likes to sing songs with light, free and narrative rhythm, and sometimes he combines country music with urban moderate rock. Representative works include: Lucille (1977), Lady (1980), Crazy (for example, 1983, 14) and so on.
George str
George skeat was born in Potty, Texas on May 1952. He was one of the most influential country singers in the 1980s.
Scott grew up on his father's ranch and sometimes helped his father cross the fence and set animals free. When he was a teenager, he began to play music. 197 1 year, Scott was drafted into the army, and 1973 was stationed in Hawaii. The commander of the base wanted to form an army country band, which attracted Scott. He bought a cheap guitar and began to imitate hank williams's records. He named the band "Walking in the Country" and often performed outside the camp.
1975, he returned to his hometown. In order to meet his father's expectations, he entered Southwest Texas Comprehensive University. Quot(Sounthwest Tesxas University), he organized a band while studying for an agricultural degree. 1979 recorded his first album at MCA Records. Since then, Scott has occupied a high position in the rankings for a long time, ranking first in nearly 30 times. By the 1990s, many singers (including garth brooks) regarded him as an example. Scott didn't want to show up, which was much less than other famous singers' interviews, but on 1992, he participated in the performance of the film Pure Country, in which four songs made Scott stand at the forefront of country music.
Scott became the focus of country music. His career is still developing, but now he only spends half a year recording records and touring, and the rest of the time lives in seclusion in Antshu, Texas. á á (1) Lang Jian (5) Tu Youyou tries to catch a basket of lemons?
Vince gill
Vince Kiel was born as Vince Grant Gill in Norman, Oklahoma on April 1957. His father is a federal judge and can play banjo. Kiel/Kloc-started to learn guitar at the age of 0/0. When he was in middle school, he joined a local country rock band called Shanyan. After graduating from high school, he won a golfer's scholarship, went to college in Louisville, Kentucky, and soon joined a band called Southern Alliance. At this time, he can play not only guitar, but also mandolin, violin and banjo.
1979, Kiel came to Nashville and soon became the star of the music festival. 1984, his songs first entered the top 40 country song charts. Since then, his songs have continuously achieved good results in the charts.
In the 1990s, Kiel left a brilliant footprint. In addition to recording records, he is one of the top ten stars in the concert and won the Best Artist Award of the Country Music Association twice. He said, "I hope someone will remember me. I once cared about the integrity of country music. I also like to be an actor, a composer and a career. Similarly, I care about history, where it started and where it will go. "
Vince Kiel's representative albums are: "I still worship you"; 1988 signed a contract with Congressional Records. At the end of the year, his first album was produced and published, 1989.
Brooks set foot in music for two years, and then became a famous country singer. Won four awards at 199 1 25th country music awards conference. Then he was named as the best country singer in 1992 and the best pop singer in Crossing the Border, and the singers who won both awards were unprecedented.
Garth brooks's representative albums include garth brooks (1989), No Fence (1990), In Pursuit (199 1) and Hunting (0). 1993), hits (1994) and fresh horses (1995).
Shania twain (shania twain)
Yue Hua Su Twain, 1965 was born in Ontario, Canada on August 28th. He was the most popular representative singer of modern country music after garth brooks in the mid-1990s. Dawn studied guitar, writing and singing since she was a child. In her early days, she performed in bars and clubs all over the country and occasionally appeared on local radio stations. 1993 released her first album "shania twain", and 1996 won the Grammy Award for Best Country Female Singer for a song "Any Man of mine".
Although Dunn has made remarkable achievements, she is often criticized coldly by critics because of her hard rock style in music and her bold and sexy exit in MTV. As a country singer, Dunn was the first model to succeed with sex appeal.