Changes in Today’s Country Music

Country music was officially started in the 1920s. Country music was known as country and western music and before that hillbilly music. Country music represented many people in the south and how they lived, this is why country music started in the southern regions of America. I believe that society changed country music through the years and the country music we know today was due to the manipulation of technology, radio, and demographics.

How Was County Music Influenced?

First, country music was influenced in the 1930s using new technology bring to life a new sound for performers. Second, the appearance of country music in radio had both an influence on society and was influenced by society. Finally, during the depression and world war II country music moved to new areas and was exposed to new genres, with this movement country music was changed.

Technology Changes

In 1927 amplified sound was created at first for the army to hear commanders’ orders better. Soon musicians were using this technology to amplify their sound. Then in 1936 the electric guitar was born. The use of the electric guitar was used in mostly bluegrass (is a form of American country music that was influenced by English, Irish and Scottish traditional music, and blues and hillbilly music. With the use of the electric guitar country music was changed due to amplifying the sound which brought the sound of the guitar forward. I believe that bring this electric guitar into music we changed country music to what we have now. Today’s country music would have a completely different sound if it wasn’t for the creation of the electric guitar and musicians adapting to these new technologies.

Country Music Debuts on Radio

Country music was being heard all over the country and in Canada by the 1940s. [endnoteRef:3] As country music hit radio stations more people got a chance to listen to more than just the top hits on radio and got to hear more genres. I believe that with this new music many people wanted to hear country music evolve. In today’s radio for country music I believe that with the influence of pop music country music lost what roots it had and moved towards a pop/country sound. With this people who enjoyed pop music then started listening to this country pop mixture.

New Areas for Country Music

With radio stations playing country music more places could listen to country music. Due to this more people could put input into country music. During the Great Depression a “somber guitar-based folk style” that became the country music style during the 1940s. At the end of World War II music studies in Nashville had opened because of the popularity of the “grand ole Opry”v so that musicians could come to Nashville. By the mid 1950s Nashville had just as many songwriters as New York. v I believe that with country music creating a bigger name for itself that this change in location to Nashville gave country music its name today. With this move society was able to listen to different styles of country music dependent on the area. Due to this people were able to make certain types popular leading to music today.

Conclusion

I believe that country music has represented rural lifestyles throughout the years, and reflects love, heartbreak, and having a good time. From its evolvement through electric guitars, being on radio stations, and moving to different locations country music became what we listen to today. I think that this changed country music and without these parts in history and with societies influences country music would not be the same. I believe that Nashville, and other southern parts of the USA benefitted from country music and now has a steady stream of money coming in due to different country recording artists.