The Beginnings of Country Music in Bristol Tennessee
by Audrey C. Howell
In 1998 the united states of america Congress passed a resolution identifying Bristol, Tennessee, as the "Birthplace of County Music." This project traces the history of how Bristol came down to earn the title, beginning with the region's southern Appalachian colonists in the 1700s who brought together, in old-world ballads and songs, the music of their native Scottish Highlands. While protected by geography from outside influences through the 18th and early 19th centuries, the area's music began to evolve rapidly through the Civil War period when the region was opened by the railroads.
Touring vaudeville, minstrel and medicine-show troupes, as well as the railroad workers themselves, with a style of work songs reflecting their African heritage, brought rapid changes into the settlers' original music. The native fiddle of the English, Scotch, and Irish settlers was joined by the banjo of African origin. After WWI, the guitar, autoharp, and dulcimer were introduced into the mix.
Following Edison's invention of the phonograph in the early years of the century, a new recording industry experienced swift growth in the course of the 1920s. Ralph Peer began to realize there was an untapped market for rural mountain music, and he set about to discover and grow the area's musical talent. Musicians and singers originally traveled to Nyc to tape their music, however when remote recording became possible, Bristol became Peer's initial hub of operations in 1927 -- chosen on account of proximity of local musicians such as Ernest and Hattie Stoneman, the Johnson Brothers, and Henry Whitter.
Soon talent from other southern states, including West Virginia, Virginia (the Carter Family) and North Carolina (Jimmie Rodgers) was recorded by Peer. These early recording sessions, popularly known as Bristol Sessions, would mark the birth of country music. Their influence can be found in bluegrass of musicians just like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, in the song-writing of Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie, in the guitar-playing of Roy Acuff and Chet Atkins, in the sound of Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, and in the song-stylings of Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, Merle Travis, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum and Dolly Parton.
The report follows the expansion of popularity of country music in the course of the barn dance shows of the radio era and bluegrass festivals of the 60s and 70s. In the mid-1990s, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance (BCMA) was founded in Bristol to call listening ears and support the musical traditions of the area.
The project is documented with a 22-page report on the Bristol Music Story, brief biographies of the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, the Stonemans, a log of recordings in the Bristol Sessions, 25 historic photographs with descriptions, along with a videotape titled Bristol - Birthplace of Country Music.
About the Author:
Learn more about The Birthplace of Country Music. Stop by Audrey C. Howell's site where you can find out all about Bristol Entertainment and what it can do for you.
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