The Top Classic Bluegrass Songs
Bluegrass music has its roots in the old-time folk music of the Appalachia region of the United States. The name, Bluegrass, is from a region of northeastern Kentucky. In the late 1940’s the “father of bluegrass” Bill Monroe, who was from that region of Kentucky, formed the group “Blue Grass Boys” and ever since the term “Bluegrass” has stuck to this particular branch of country music.
A number of songs might spring to mind when fans of bluegrass music try to think of the most famous or recognizable (more…)
The Old Sound Of The Blues Are Still Alive Through The Music Of Today’s Blues Artists
Born out of the deep south in the early 19th century, blues music creates an emotional and soulful rhythm that translates powerful thoughts and sounds into amazing songs. What first began as chants and shouts about the hardships of life by African Americans working in the fields, the blues is a style of music that has only become more popular throughout the years. Early artists like Robert Johnson and Lead Belly sang the lonely songs of the anguish and pain that sometimes came along with living life as an African American in the early 19th century and even though the times have since then changed, the sounds of the blues, thankfully, have not. If you love the old sounds of the underprivileged people of the (more…)
Bluegrass Revamped the New Bluegrass Artists
In today’s modern world rock and roll and hip hop tend to dominate the radios. We hear the music everywhere: in television shows, advertisements, even on the news. However, despite common belief, bluegrass and country music hold more radio stations than any other music genre.
Bluegrass is often seen as an older, down home music but the genre is making huge strides in reaching out to a younger audience. In the past decade, a number of young, new bluegrass bands have emerged and established an impressive presence in the industry. Their grass root beginnings are becoming more and can be related to not only existing bluegrass fans but to the growing youth fan base.
Many credit the revamping of the bluegrass genre to the band Mountain Heart. Mountain Heart formed in 1998 and since that time they have taken the field by storm. Since 1998 Mountain Heart has released 7 chart-topping records and have won countless awards. In 2007 the band began opening for a number of country legends including Travis Tritt, Lynryd Skynryd, and many more. With over 100 performances at the Grand Ole Opry the band has formed a cult following and brought a lot of positive publicity to the modern bluegrass genre.
Another band, better known, within the bluegrass genre is Allison Krauss and Union Station. Allison Krauss and her band have done more than words can describe for the modern bluegrass genre. To date Krauss has released 14 albums and has appeared on a number of tracks with big name country performers like Brad Paisley. Krauss’ film appearance and growing influence constantly adds to the revival of bluegrass music as a whole. Allison Krauss and Union Station have been dubbed an “American favorite” and have been credited for influencing a number of “newgrass” bands including Nickel Creek.
Cadillac Sky is considered one of the newer bands to the bluegrass music scene. Cadillac Sky originated in Texas and has grown to prove itself as a major contender on the bluegrass scene. Despite being a young band, the band has chosen a more classic sound. Cadillac Sky is a true testament to modern bluegrass. The band maintains the tradition, down home sound that bluegrass fans universally love. Their continuously growing fan base is proof that the bluegrass genre is far from dead.
As times change rapidly many try to stop and reach out towards more traditional culture. Bluegrass music is just what the doctor ordered for the changing times. The music industry has seen a surge in bluegrass bands and it’s no surprise why. These bands have reestablished the value of the bluegrass genre and have been able to completely revamp the face of the genre.
How To Make It In Bluegrass Music
Introduction
Making it in the music industry can be hard work, but with the right skills and knowledge, the possibilities are endless. Bluegrass music is one form of music that is great to listen to and play, making it in the bluegrass music industry requires certain aspects to look at and fully examine.
Getting the Word Out
No matter what stage the band is in, getting the word out is one of the best ways to succeed in the industry. A broad (more…)
Does Pate Morris Play Bluegrass Music?
Acclaimed for their traditional bluegrass music, the Lynn Morris band started out with only one member, which is apparently Lynn Morris. Born Oct. 8, 1948, Morris grew up in Lamesa, Texas wherein she played a guitar in her early life. Her passion for bluegrass music started out in college when she started playing the banjo. During that time, she also went ahead to finish a degree in art. During 1974, she won the National Banjo Championship, which was the first-ever win for a female in that particular (more…)
The Emergence of Bluegrass
Bluegrass music is a part of rurally based American music, stemming specifically from a region that covers the middlemost and southern portions of the Appalachian mountain chain as it passes from the lower portions of New York State on through the North American southern states of Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama. This section of Eastern United States, dubbed Appalachia since the eighteenth century, was the province of Native American tribes well up into the seventeen hundreds. However, with the advent of waves of Scotch-Irish, German, Welsh and other Anglo-Saxons, who immigrated in the eighteen hundreds, the area took on a different (more…)
Why I should listen to bluegrass music
Bluegrass music can be somewhat elusive to new listeners. The songs sound pretty similar and the instrumentation is a departure from typical pop music most people grow up listening to on the radio. There are several reasons for people to listen to the music.
The musicianship in bluegrass music is astounding. Typically a band will include a guitarist, banjoist, mandolin player, fiddler, and a bassist. Some of the best musicians on each of those instruments have been bluegrass pickers. These bands create (more…)
A Short History of Jazz Music
Jazz is a broad stream of musical styles that originated in America and dates back to the 1880’s. Its roots have African and Western European origins. Jazz is believed to have been given its birth in New Orleans where steamboats spread the sound up and down the Mississippi.
The culturally and economically poor American blacks and Creoles lived on the segregated west side of New Orleans at the end of the 19th century. Blacks based their music on simple melodies, cross rhythms, and blues notes. Their songs were (more…)
The Best 3 Bluegrass Artists
Who are the three best bluegrass artists today? Certainly that’s a matter of personal opinion, but most people would put the following at the very top of their lists.
Earl Scruggs would top many people’s lists. Yes he’s still alive, and at 80 years of age, he’s still going strong. Visit his website, for information on upcoming tours. Tours were listed for as recently as March 2011. With the release of the Coen brother movie “O Brother Where Art Thou?” Earl (more…)
Any good books on how to play bluegrass music, instructional not song books
There is a glut of Bluegrass songbooks. There are also some great instructional books in the style as well. Most of these are based on particular instruments. Some of the style’s landmark artists have written the books as well.
Banjoists will get a lot of value from Earl Scruggs’ “Earl Scruggs and the Five String Banjo.” This book goes through the essentials of Scruggs’ revolutionary style, including his rolls, licks, and even how to make a tuning mechanism (more…)
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