Country Music 101
Mention “country music” to the uninitiated and you may get a few groans. American Idol’s Simon Cowell is a prime example of someone who “just doesn’t get it,” his words not ours. Certainly, the Brit doesn’t have an appreciation for the titles of our songs. Recall his reaction to the song Season Five Idol contestant Kellie Pickler performed during country week, “Suds in the Bucket” by Sara Evans.
You don’t have to be born in the Southern US to have an appreciation for country music. In fact, you don’t have to be born in the US at all. Many country artists hail from countries like Canada (Shania Twain, The Abrams Brothers, Doc Walker), Australia (Keith Urban, by way of New Zealand), and Ireland (Maura O’Connell), among countless others.
But country music is not really that difficult to “get,” especially now that artists such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Brad Paisley are proving country can be cool, too. Originating from Appalachian folk music, folk music, gospel, and Celtic, what is known as “country music” today has evolved into various genres and subgenres, ensuring that even the most stiff-lipped Brit can learn to recognize the beauty and honesty that are the essence of country music. Take a look at some reminders as you start to travel the country music road.
Understand the lyrics and the story the song is telling
Country song titles could sometimes be misleading. For example, George Strait’s “4 Minus 3 Equals Zero” doesn’t tell you much about the story, but listening closely to the song will reveal the pain the singer is feeling about losing his family.
Remember Elvis
Rock and roll music would not be the same without the “King of Rock,” who early on in his career was actually dubbed “The HillBilly Cat.”
Don’t worry about the “twang”
It’s not about the accent, it’s about the meaning of the songs being sung. Try to listen past the Southern twangs of many country artists and you will discover the raw, honest emotions profoundly expressed in the simple yet beautiful lyrics of their songs.
Go slowly
You are not expected to love country music overnight, or even to like it if the truth be told. You are only expected to appreciate its significance to many people and why they can relate to it. However, if you are so fortunate enough to develop a liking for a certain country artist’s style, go slowly. Listen to the artist’s albums and try to find other acts that share the same sound.
“Achy Breaky Heart” is not the only country song there is
In appreciating country music, always listen with an open mind. Although this Billy Cyrus ditty won Single of the Year at the CMA and had earned Grammy nominations, this is not the only representative sound of country music. “Achy Breaky Heart” however is just one among the hundreds of thousands of songs that country music has to offer. Although it has the basic formulas of a country ditty, it is not the definitive country song. Check out the songs of more seasoned artists such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson if you need to be convinced.
