How to become an expert on country music

Want to learn the history of country music? Here's your how-to-guide for capturing all that twang.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• radio tuned to a country station
• trip to Nashivlle if possible
• country cds
• cmt and/or gac music television networks
• books on the subject

1. First of all, listen to the old stuff. Search out recordings by Hank Williams, George Jones,Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb and so on.

2. Listen to the even older stuff. Opry star, Uncle Dave Macon. Deford Bailey.

3. Now read about the roots of country. Learn about the strong blues influence in early country music. Read about Pasty Cline's cross over success story. Know that country music has always been influenced by other styles of music, but remember that country music has always been the poetry of the common man/woman. It began as the Irish folk ballad, evolving into the folk music of the southern and western people in North America. However, country music is on the road to nearly everywhere you could image going today and quickly catching up with it's self. Don't assume anyhing, read about it and learn. I also suggest studying the history of the grand ole opry. You'll learn how the opry's influence played a large part in connecting people in far away places with the back woods music and also you'll see that even the grand ole opry in the old days did not reject the influence of blues music on country.

4. Listen to the new stuff. Don't buy the bit about "murder on music row."
   Country music is alive and well today. Hank Williams himself credited street musician Rufus Pain [Tee-Tot] for his heavy blues influence. So, don't buy into the hype. Country music is still thriving. Music of ANY GENRE if it is to last must evolve and be as ever changing as our lives.

5. Learn the history of country music for each new decade from the 1970's and on. Read a lot about Dolly Parton, one of the pioneers of today's country sound, but don't forget Patsy Cline did it first.

6. Go to as many concerts as you can afford and keep an ear out for free concerts. I've actually seen big name stars such as Tracey Lawrence and Trace Adkins for free, Kenny Chesney for the price of a fair ticket. Don't worry too much if you can't catch too many concerts, the mediA PROVIDES MUCH OF THE education you will need.

7. Watch or listen to informative programming such as PBS bringing you important info on legends such as Johnny Cash. Don't be afraid to take your study of country music outside the box a bit to learn how Bob Dylan and The Eagles both fit into the picture. Many musicians of other genres from folk to rock have been influenced by country music or have influenced it. This is how music is made, much the same as any other recipe with a little of this and that. Listen to legends such as Mel Tillis, reflect on their careers. Watch history unfold right before your eyes as George and Tammy duet. Listen to Sirus Sattelite channels in country music, because they do a lot more interviews than regular radio. Always make time to listen to a radio interview while driving or cooking. Listen to legends talk about their experiences with other legends. Be enticed. Listen and learn all you can from those who have been there for the making of music history. Check CMT and GAC to keep up on artist profiles and new music.

8. Be inspired. Even if you're not an aspiring song writer take at least one incident of your life and make it into a country lyric. Then and only then will you see how this music comes from real life. Take the silliest or worst event of your love life or life in general and make it into a country lyric and you will begin wondering if perhaps all country songs could possibly be based on true events. Share your song with others or keep it to yourself. This is simply an exercise in understanding country music.

9. Do try to make it to Nashville. It took me twenty-six years, but I finally made it to The Country Music Hall of Fame. I was a kid in a candy store sampling everything! This experience put me in awe from the first step in the door to this very day. Oh AND it's gone high tech though you still get the old timey feel from the gold records hanging on the walls. This is just another example of how country music manages to thrive in the new world. You didn't want it to die out, did ya? But yes Alan Jackson I still buy those old records too just like you do.

10. Music is all about perspective, so feel free to have your own perspective, just keep in mind there's a whole lot more to country music than breaking hearts and getting drunk. There's also a strong gospel influence and orgin. Enjoy all the flavors of country music!

Tips & Warnings

• Look for country music magazines on the rack at your nearest book seller or gROCery store.
• Google country music history.
• Google The GrAND oLE oPRY.
• NOTE, ALL of the above information is true according to the searches and studies I've made ALONG MY JOURNEY as a student of country music history.

[Islando]

on 3/19/2009 Love Nashville.

[sunnflr]

on 7/13/2008 I love country music. It's what I grew up on.

[WriterGig]

on 7/7/2008 Very detailed, cool! I haven't listened to much country music lately but it was my favorite genre as a teenager.

[JasneJ]

on 7/6/2008 Great well written country music article.Thanks!

[arwen1964]

on 7/1/2008 Also, join a country music association. Most areas have a local one. It is fun to attend jam sessions, hum a few bars of your favorite song, or pluck out a tune on an old guitar among friends.