Country Music Essay - 2116 Words

The debate whether commercialism has stripped country music of its authenticity is one that requires further examination into who ultimately holds the power. The sometimes-drastic changes made in music leaves people questioning the tastes of consumers when in fact they are the bystanders of an overpowering industry. Fans are people who buy the albums, go to concerts, and request songs on the radio, not the execs that market the music, and yet their opinions/tastes aren’t taken into consideration. Fans carry a lot of clout in regards to what they define as commercialism gone wrong and acceptable country music. Despite what may seem fair, those who are financially invested in its success drive the commercialization of music. According to†¦show more content†¦The feelings of comfort and unity transcend the essence of what country music represents. However, the power struggle between music executives and artists compromising these markers has been an ongoing battle. The commercialization of country music tries to implement these markers while brining to light a new sound for country music, The Nashville Sound. This new sound of country music introduces background singers, pianos, polished voices and much more sophisticated types of enhancements. Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline were two artists that thrived within the era of the Nashville Sound despite the influences of commercialism. The concept of a big country showcase striped music of its roots and deprived fans of what they really yearned for, simplicity and genuineness. The simplicity of earlier country music is undermined by the technological interference of its instrumentation. Simplicity meant one voice with a banjo, guitar, or harmonica accompaniment. The early country music industry presented the world with an artist just the way he or she was, no glitz, glamour or fri lls. Within the new era of the Nashville Sound it brings along with it overbearing producers and record labels with their own hidden agendas. â€Å"He has cooked up a sound all his own: hot, fierce, overbearing, full of energy and desire, a sound to jump right out of the jukebox. But Phillips wants money, a lot of it, and he wants to set the world on its ear† (Elvis: Presliad, 142). What ever happenedShow MoreRelatedThe Music Of Country Music1883 Words   |  8 Pages Country Music Country music. Just saying that word ignites a train of thought to many people to think of the deep ole’ American South and cowboys. What causes people to begin to imagine those things? From the cowboys featuring in movies to the loud blaring music the hillbilly neighbor plays, country music has brought its way to people around the world. From the 1920’s to now Country music was one of the first genres in modern music and is still popular today in the United States. The history ofRead MoreEssay on Black Artists in Country Music2841 Words   |  12 Pagesthirty-eight years, are the only black artists to win a Country Music Association Award. With country music rooted in bluegrass and rhythm and blues, why aren’t there more black country music stars? When considering the roots of country music, and how closely related country is to blues, bluegrass and honky tonk music, an examination of what happened to all the black musicians seems warranted, no? This paper exa mines the dearth of black artists in country music and the careers of one of the few black artistsRead MoreCountry Music : My Home And My Family927 Words   |  4 Pages The first aspect I think about when I listen to country music is my home and my family. Honestly, I think that is why most people love it so much, especially in the Southeastern United States (U.S.). It also seems to me that it is so dear to the people of the South is because country music started here. 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I suppose thisRead MoreCountry Music and Eric Church763 Words   |  3 PagesCountry music is a genre that some might absolutely love and some might absolutely hate. It is a style of music that developed in the southern and western U.S. and often contains lyrics relating to the lives of people who live in the country. While there are a lot of different types of country music, a very popular country artist of this time is Eric Church. Church brings a bit of a twist to country music, with really telling us how he feels. Talking about one of his songs in particular, â€Å"homeboy†