Technological progress, the active development of which was characterized by the period of the early 20th century, has played an important role in the formation of country music as an independent genre. It was the emergence of radio, or hillbilly, as it was then called, provided a wide popularity of the style. Many unknown, but talented performers got a unique opportunity to be heard across the country. Radio listeners did not want heavy music, so the simple, rhythmic, musical composition in a somewhat original folk style appealed to many.
One of the first recorded country songs: Henry C Gilliland & A C Robertson – Arkansas Traveler (1922)
After country music became popularized with the help of radio, first amateur and then professional country music festivals began to be organized. Popular compositions began to be recorded in studios on gramophone records, which was the beginning of commercialization of the genre. The performers became famous, favorites of the public. The popularity of the genre was breaking all possible records, the people’s love was universal and devoted.
Poet Harlen Howard, a trendsetter in country music, once said: “It consists of three chords and truthfulness!”
The compositions are so heartfelt, simple, and understandable to everyone that even during the difficult times of the Great Depression, it was in country music that many found solace and words of encouragement. Gradually, the style continued to develop, became more multi-faceted, deep and took the benchmark for global popularity.
Feature of the style
A lot of time has passed since the birth of country music, but the style has not dissolved and not forgotten. Soulful ballads in the style of country and today lead the charts and are loved by all. Today it is an absolutely independent genre, which is successfully performed throughout the world.
What is the phenomenality of the genre? Each style, as a rule, has its own characteristics, thanks to which this or that music finds its fans. How do you know if a song that is played belongs to the country music genre? In fact, this genre is recognizable from the first chords of sound.
The characteristic features of the direction are as follows:
- The song is filled with deep meaning, reflecting real events, tells a life story, familiar to everyone.
- Thus musicians always try to be closer to their spectators.
- Musical acoustic accompaniment is filled with the use of simple and familiar to everyone instruments. This may be a guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica.
- Country singer penetrates into the soul, not by the power of the voice or with an exemplary academic singing, but with a heartfelt and soulful performance.
The demonstration of feelings and emotions, life story, heartfelt experiences are much more important. Country is a folk genre, the music of the provinces, cowboy saloons, the embodiment of simple romance, a tribute to the centuries-old folk traditions. Today, old country compositions can be safely attributed to the most important values of the musical heritage.