Concert Venues

Country Music – The Soulful Rhythms-No matter what your preferences are, no matter what kind of disposition you have- you simply cannot refrain yourself from being mesmerized and enticed by music. Since its inception, music has been the most loved source of entertainment and people with different tastes and likings admire several kinds of music. It has different kinds and forms. Across the world different kinds of music has evolved with the emergence of distinctive civilizations and the characteristic nature of the people in different countries etc. The influence of music can be felt in every corner of the world. Various genre of music like rock, pop, classical, jazz etc have been immensely applauded by the people.

Country Music is also well accepted and admired by the music listeners across the globe. This highly melodious and mellifluous form of music is awesomely pure and subtle. Unlike the conventional pop and metal music, this genre is known for its flawless and soft rhythms that are soothing to the ears and pleasant to the soul. Many popular artists have given amazing performances and great albums that have remarkable influences from this music. These albums have achieved admirable success and recognition from the listeners.

Country music is a remarkably enticing genre of music that focuses on the melodies and the rhythms. It is identified by its immensely mellifluous tones and upbeat numbers. It is a blend of various distinctive music forms from across the world and mainly has influences from the music that was originated in the southern parts of the United States and the region of Appalachian Mountains. Around 1920, this category rapidly evolved and gained popularity among the masses. This kind of music has its roots in the various traditional and classical types like folk music, old times music, Celtic music, gospel and the blues. In the southern United States the various ethnic groups created music of different styles and the combination of all these styles emerged as the Western Music that comprises a major part of the country and western music.

There have been a number of artists and performers who have gained immense popularity with this genre of music. Elvis Presley, who was earlier known as The Hillbilly Cat was one of the biggest pop icons in the history of music. He won recognition through his immensely admirable country music performances. He was featured on the radio program Louisiana Hayride where he used to give amazing performances based on this music. Similarly Garth Brooke is one of the most appreciated Country Music artist whose albums were chart toppers. He made short debut in other genres too. This genre saw its greatest high in the year 2006 when the country albums sales increased by the 17.7 percent to a whopping 36 millions.

The country pop has its roots in the soft rock and the country-politan which emerged as a sub genre of this music in the 1970’s. It was well accepted by the wide variety of audiences during the same decade. The singers like John Denver, Glen Campbell and Anne Murray were some of the most admired artists of this genre. “RhineStone Cowboy” by Campbell is amongst the best and biggest crossover music hits. The songs in this music CD are still hummed by the teenagers and youngsters. Olivia Newton John is considered as the best female country vocal performer.

Outlaw country revolutionized this genre of music completely with the derived Honky Tonk sounds of late 1950’s. After 1935, the Western Swing Big Band leader Bob Willis used drums as the major instrument in his band Texas Playboy. The drums were readily used by the country musicians and the rockabilly groups till 1955. Later, they became significant in the country bands also. The electric guitar was used in the bands that were originated in the beginning of 1938. Arthur Smith achieved immense success with the Guitar Boogie a MGM records album that declared the beginning of guitar as the most influential instrument in the country band.

The Growth of Country Music-Country music originated from the old folk music that the pioneers sang and played as they settled across the country. They used wagon trains. That is where a group of people drive their wagons across the country is a single file trying to go further west. At night they would get together and the ones that could play fiddles, banjo, and guitars, would play and make up songs about their experiences on the trail.

Then came along people like the Carter family and Jimmy Rodgers (the singing brakeman) and they came up with a newer style of country songs. Still everything was acoustical, no electrical instruments. When wannabe singers heard Jimmy Rodgers, they all wanted to sing like him. His singing had confidence and you could hear it.

The Grand ole Opry started broadcasting in 1925. This let millions of people hear folk and country music all across the country. The Louisiana Hayride started in 1948 and a lot of singers got their start there. These radio shows made a lot of young kids want to sing, and a lot of them did come on and make stars, each bringing a new style to country music. Recording companies then didn’t want you to sound like somebody else, they want your sound. If they liked it you got a contract.

When Hank Williams was on the hayride, I had a good friend playing for the hayride. He was playing when Hank had seven encores for lovesick blues. Then everybody wanted to sound like Hank Williams. Hank was top dog, then came Elvis to knock him off the mountain. Of course Hank had died before Elvis made it. Still Hank was on top after his death.

Every year country progresses to something new. Still there’s a lot of people that don’t progress with it. A lot still prefer the old traditional kind of country. That’s what makes the world go around.

What Happened to Country Music?-If you’re like me, you’re wondering what happened to country music. The terrestrial radio stations today only play the watered down pop mess. Country music used to be a force to reckon with. Let’s get back to the good ol’ days!

Unless you have a satellite radio, you’re not going to hear real country music on the radio. Singers like Hank Williams III, Robbie Fulks, and Wayne Hancock just aren’t getting airplay. George Jones was basically kicked out of the Country Music Awards a few years ago for being too old. Once upon a time, I thought George Strait didn’t know how to pick a bad song. That was before I heard some of his stuff from his latest album. I hate to say it, but George you let us down.

In Nashville (dubbed Trashville by Hank III), it’s a matter of you do what we say or you don’t get played on the radio. The performers should have more control of what they play and record. After all, they are the ones going out every night and listening to the crowd’s reactions. The record company isn’t there to say, “Man, they love that steel guitar.”

The pop market has infiltrated country music. It started way back in the 1970’s. Country music started to decline when they allowed pop mixtures in. Some guys never got the respect they should’ve received. Billy Joe Shaver comes to mind. Today, you have people from all over the globe making country music in Nashville. Most of these singers wouldn’t know the difference between a steel guitar from a banjo. It sounds crazy, and it is!

Country music is promoted as, “This isn’t your grandpa’s music.” Well, it’s not my music either. Most of the die hard country music buffs would agree. There’s no soul, there’s no pain, and there’s no edge to today’s country music. Let’s get back to the day when the two step was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Austin, Texas is celebrated as today’s country music capital of the world. There you’ll find Junior Brown, Bobby Bare, and Billy Joe Shaver. The new talent in Austin is great too! Heather Myles is a fantastic female artist carrying on the traditional sound. Nashville is losing face with the country base. Let’s get country music back to it’s roots. Call your local country radio dj and request some of the classics. If enough people demand it to come back to it’s old ways, Nashville will have to take notice.

Great American Country Music-There are probably a lot of people wondering whatever happened to great American country music. This is because country music has evolved into something that many people do not recognize. That is okay, though, because everything has to evolve in some way. But for those wishing to get a taste of that music they used to love, they have to tap other sources to experience it once more. Still, the country music of today can still be considered great American country music for the simple fact that it is still going strong. Country music has never waivered in its fan base and probably never will with today’s youth being reeled in by the new sounds that the industry has to offer.

The great American way

Many of those who used to enjoy turning on their radio to hear great American country music can still do that, depending on where they are located within the United States. Some stations continue to play many of the hits by such artists as Bobby Bare, Waylon Jennings, and Conway Twitty. Still, today there are such artists as Willie Nelson still belting out the same style in some cases. He is one of those artists that tends to conform, but never forgets where he came from.

But when the radio lets you down, you can still turn to those old records and play them on a record player. Unfortunately, playing Great American Country music on a record player is something that is becoming rare since things such as replacement parts or working players are rare. That’s where the CD comes in. Some may not like the fact that their favorite artists have been burned onto a CD, but that is something that occurs with the times.

Playing those favorites

So if you have a CD player and you wish to listen to some great American country music, you can visit a website on the internet that sells these CDs and acquire the music of any artist that you wish. You would be amazed at the possibilities the CD has opened up throughout the years. Many individuals have purchased their favorite collections on CD for the fact that they are usually digitally remastered, which makes them sound even better than the originals.

Basically, anyone can have great American country music at their fingertips. It isn’t like the times when you would search high and low for that album. All it takes is a visit to the internet and your search ends about as quickly as it begins. So there are no worries when you wish to hear country music in its original form.

Country Music Is No Mere Genre-Country Music originated in early 20th century among the whites in Rural areas of West and South. The roots of this music lie in Ballads, English songs and Folk Songs. The term Country Music replaces what is popularly called Hill Billy Music.

Country Music has been associated with cowboy hats and boots. The fact is that apparel has got nothing to do with it. One of the veterans, Travis Tritt does not wear a hat. Country Music is a genre that means different things to different people. If you look over at their interpretations, you will find for some it is Johnny Cash’s weather beaten crooning or Shania Twain’s prancing-pony burlesque. Right since the beginning of the 21st century, Music Industry is divided and quite fractured as to what really the Country Music is. Most people say that, when they hear it, they know its country or its not.

The relationship is one if hate and love, either fans love it and hate other genres intensely. If you have met some hardcore country fans, you will notice, they will always find a way to hear it, no matter what state country radio currently finds itself in. Even if an artist’s presence on country radio represents a certain kind of success or acceptance, there’s no doubt that “real” country is always happening in the margins, in clubs and coffeehouses, and on smaller labels or self-produced records.

Recently very good different country records have been released by women artists like, the Dixie Chicks’ “Home,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, knocking Eminem down a bit. The other two, Kelly Willis’ “Easy” and Allison Moorer’s “Miss Fortune,” are also hailed as good country music. These two artists are not quite famous but they have a solid fan following. American Country Music is being popularized by various artists like Rhonda Vincent, Mandy Barnett, Brad Paisley, Hank Williams III and Danni Leigh.

Country Music has an association also, the Country Music Association (CMA), founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members. This was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre. The objectives of the organization are to guide and enhance the development of Country Music throughout the world. They wish to show that it is a viable medium to advertisers, consumers and media. It provides a unity of purpose for the Country Music industry.

The association presents annual wards also. Annual awards are given in the following twelve categories: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Horizon Award, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, Single, Album, Song, Music Event, Music Video, and Musician.

Country Music is getting lot more world wide attention after the Country Music Annual Awards was shifted to New York.

An academy for this genre, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California. It was originally called the Country & Western Music Academy; and was formed by people who wanted to share their love of Country music.

Country Music had a set following earlier but now it is gaining number of fans day by day. Loud tuned ,good lyrics, special effects mark the various concerts held in America by various country artists.

Country Music – Introducing CT Harrison-CT Harrison just called to let me know that he was making another television appearance, this time on cable’s PAX network. Not surprising. It has been said that if you throw enough “stuff” at the wall, sooner or later something is bound to stick. And CT has displayed remarkable resilience with his throwing arm. After knocking on doors from Nashville to Los Angeles I suppose that he has every right to become discouraged at the results of his efforts. But he doesn’t. He just keeps on.

What makes a person that focused on his goal … his love of music? “My sister left home when I was just eight years old.” CT recalls. “She left behind her Gibson Les Paul copy guitar. That was enough for me!” he remembers. “I used to sit in the living room for hours playing that thing to an 8-Track of Johnny Cash’s ‘Man In Black’.” Note: If you don’t quite remember 8-Tracks ask Mom and Dad. “I would pretend I was Johnny Cash and the crowd was cheering for ME. Later, I also fell in love with the drums. After playing air drums every waking hour of every day my folks finally bought me a drum set. I guess this whole course was set right there.”

CT was born in Las Vegas, Nevada where he was adopted at 11 months old after stays in several foster homes. He grew up on a farm near Roswell, New Mexico where he attended East Grand Plains Elementary School, T. Mesa Middle School and finally Goddard High School. “I wasn’t a great student, but I did OK… and my love of music continued to develop.” CT offered. While other Country Music hopefuls were waiting tables in Nashville, CT had his share of “day jobs”. “My first after school job was in a butcher shop and I absolutely hated it! Next, I held a brief job at the local Radio Shack”. CT seemed to embrace variety and jobs as a contractor, surveyor, psychiatric technician, nurse’s aid, reservationist and several stints as a Disc Jockey followed.

But CT wasn’t just working… he was listening as well. He had his ear to his Country favorites Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Gary Allen, Pat Green and his idol, Chris LeDoux. CT mused, “When I listen to what I’ve recorded, I can hear bits and pieces of all of them.” And CT’s discography continues to grow. “Waiting For The Other Heart To Fall was a 5 song EP that I really enjoyed recording. The season seemed to take over next and we released CT’s Country Christmas. My current project American Outlaw is perhaps our biggest undertaking to date.”

CT does reserve some time for relaxation. “I fish, camp and when darkness falls it’s straight to the honky tonk dance floor.” And all wrapped in a steady diet of Country music. His fantasy? “I’d travel to Scotland and visit old castles, Loch Ness and do some ghost hunting, in season, of course.” as a grin swept across his face. “I really love ghost hunting.”

CT’s chosen genre of Country music has always been about lovin’, leavin’, drinkin’ and fightin’. I asked CT which he feels has most impacted his career. “Bar brawls.” he answered without the slightest hesitation. “One night in Farmington, New Mexico 5 pipe liners got me down in the parking lot. It took the better part of a month to recover but heck, that was FUN!”

Pop in My Country Music-The complaint heard all over Nashville from the insiders to just the country music fans of old is that there is too much pop music influencing many country artists making the songs what many are calling country pop making that a sub-genre of its own.

The artist at the head of the country pop movement is undoubtedly Taylor Swift, not saying she is the first one to do it but she is the first one to really have success at it. Not only has she had success with top-40 radio but she recently did a taping with MTV’s TRL which is a rarity and almost unheard of in country music.

Many people look at country pop as a terrible thing that it should be denounced or looked at as cheapening the rich culture of country music but if you look at the sales charts it is in my opinion helping country artists as a whole as it is exposing many young fans and fans that may never have given country music a chance now to give a listen to an artist like Taylor Swift, Chuck Wicks, or Rascal Flatts then move on to other artists such as Alan Jackson or Jason Aldean who are more traditional country.

If you attend a Taylor Swift show, if you can get tickets that is, there are thousands upon thousands of screaming young girls who are not only buying her albums but they are buying all kinds of merchandise and Taylor is famous for staying hours after a show to make sure anyone who wants something signed will get it, and best of all she takes her time with each person making them feel special which really makes her special. No w if she can get over the hump of a sophomore slump and her possibly outgrowing her fan base then she will be around for years to come.

If you look at the sales charts when all of the music industry is down country music is staying strong and evolving to take over part of mainstream is something country has tried for a long time and they are officially accomplishing it now, so maybe some pop in my country music isn’t as bad as I think or many people think.

A Guide To Country Music-Hillbilly music, country, western music or country and western all refer to country music. This genre of music is diverse. Most modern country music artistes have developed their styles from earlier singers. Whether it is a classic or contemporary tune, for most who are new to country music it would be difficult to understand the different styles. A guide to country music offers comparisons that allow people to identify with inimitable performers. People may read guides to identify with the different instruments that are used to create the styles and rhythms. Since country music is a genre filled with many talented musicians, a number of guides offer details about upcoming artists. They are authentic and allow fans to understand and read about their idols.

People who aren’t terribly familiar with country music may need some help differentiating between the types of music. Guides offer information and help comprehend the varieties included. This includes pop country that is perfected by artistes like Shania Twain. Rebel or rock country music includes songs that are performed by free spirited singers. They are usually independent and use bold rhythms. Texas country has produced singers such as Robert Earl Keen and Pat Green. Old country music is considered to be slow whereas real old country included yodelling. This was the original folk derivation and continues to be popular.

Guides offer an insight into new developments, artists, functions and country music performances. Guides help provide information regarding country music legends and compare modern artistes. These guides discuss a singer’s drawbacks and unique talent. These guides may be written by enthusiasts or critics and may at times reflect only the writers point of view. It is easy to find a country music guide online or in magazines, journals and reviews.

Classic Country Music-Country music made its mark in the early twentieth century. It was initially popular amongst the people in rural areas of the west and the south. This genre of music has developed from ballads and famous folk tunes. From the days of Hillbilly music, country music is now simply referred to as country, western or country and western. Classic country music is an assortment of tunes from diverse cultures and music patterns.

Each style is different and unique in style. The use of rhythms, chord structures and musical intonations vary. Though modern country music may use contemporary beats, they are adaptations of classic versions. Classic country music has an individualistic character that was developed to suit the artist’s voice modulation capacity and style. These classics are unique and offer inimitable singing styles. This includes the styles of music legends Jimmy Rodgers and Hank Williams.

Vernon Dalhart was one of the first renowned country singers to render an all time hit. Other significant country music artists were Riley Puckett, Don Richardson and Fiddling John Carson. Ernest Stoneman, Charlie Poole, the North Carolina Ramblers and The Skillet Lickers were others who made their presence felt in the field of country classic music in its early days.

Classic country music has a universal charm and is renowned for its easy to understand rhythmic tunes and meaningful lyrics. A number of classic country tunes are recitals of western legends, heroes and events. This meaningful music continues to be a popular choice of music even today. The classic country music industry is a rewarding and profitable business that continues to reap benefits for their age-old copyrights. Millions of dollars are being realized and paid out as royalties even today. Listeners are still able to feel its rustic charm and intention. The fan following for classic country music is immense and continues to grow.

Country Music-Country music is an amalgam of popular musical forms that has its roots in traditional folk music from the South. Country music is a catchall for the Nashville sound, bluegrass, western ballads, swing, Cajun, honky tonk, Appalachian, rockabilly and jug band music.

Although there are various styles of country music, it is unique in the way its style is executed. Many songs are recorded to fit the style of country music and those who sing it. Famous country music singers include Bob Wills, Willie Nelson and George Strait. Country music listeners are mesmerized by the rhythms and the structures of the chords. In fact there are many songs that are adapted to suit the country music style like the Milk Cow Blues tune – an early blues tune composed by Kokomo Arnold. Famous singers like Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, and George Strait have all sung their own versions of the Milk Cow Blues Tune.

It was in 1924, when Vernon Dalhart recorded “The Wreck of Old 97,” that Country music really took off. At that time other singers like Riley Pucket, Fiddling John Carson and Charlie Poole joined the country western scene, further popularizing the music. The popularity of country music continues to grow.

Country music has its share of male and female singers who, through the years, have contributed greatly to the long-standing popularity of this music. They include well-known artists like, Johnny Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Patty Loveless, Barbara Mandrell, Lonestar, Shania Twain, Dwight Yoakam and many others.