Fall Semester 2011
Dr. Peter LaRue

Welcome to "Tunes for Twangers". I am most-excited about this course offering ~ and look forward to exploring a history of country music with you.

As this is still a relatively new class
[originally "special topics" MUS470A ~ Inaugural Twangers - Fall of 2006, Beta Twangers - Fall of 2007, moved to a catalog offering in 2008, continued to develop in 2009 and now in addition to satisfying the partial Fine Arts requirement (old system) satisfies the partial Area of Inquiry requirement in Fine Arts and the Cultural Awareness at Home Flag (new system)] ~ ongoing "T&T" [aka Tweaking and Tinkering] will be a hallmark of the course as we work to make this a most-meaningful and informative experience.

Tunes for Twangers will present a history of country music in the United States. It is important to note that it is "a" history not "the" history of that which we know as country music. Special attention will be given to how varying traditions, varying "musics" [always reflective of the unique background and social identity of the artist] came together [via assorted and fascinatingly different forms of "transmission"] to make country music.

This Fall [2011] the World of Twangers should begin to really hit its stride. Quite exciting actually! I trust our time together shall be both musically rewarding and personally enjoyable

The
Twanger
Modules

Module 1
Murky Waters
The Beginnings

Module 2
Innovations Bring Change
Recording & Radio

Module 3
Early Giants
Carter Family & Jimmie Rodgers

Module 4
Kentucky & Bluegrass & Folk Music

Module 5
Hank, Roy & Friends

Module 6
Women of Country Music

Module 7
Man in Black & Friends

Module 8
The Producers & Personalities

Module 9
Today & Beyond

 

Twanger Projects of the Past

Class Announcements
[added as deemed necessary and/or appropriate]

The Class

Course Description

Success as a Twanger

Course Needs

Goals and Objectives

Attendance & Participation

Evaluation & Grading

Classroom Etiquette

Honor Code

Bibliography

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Information & Disclaimer

Dedication & Thanks

Contact Dr. Pete

Biographical Bleeb ~ Peter LaRue

Be Well
Peter LaRue

you are enjoying Version 4.50 of the Twanger Web
reflecting the 2011 changes

 

The
Electronic
Assignments

TA Summary
(a brief summary of all Twanger Assignments [aka TA's] for the semester)

Twanger 1
Successful Access

Twanger 2
Early Influences

Twanger 3
Instruments

Twanger 4
Influence of African-American Artists

Twanger 5
Social Reflections I

Twanger 6
Carter Family

Twanger 7
The Role of Kentucky

Twanger 8
Hank & Roy

Twanger 9
Influence of Women Artists

Twanger 10
Social Reflections II

Twanger 11
The Man in Black

Twanger 12
Past, Present & Future

The CEAQ

 

More Twanger Projects

 

Index of Listening Examples Gallery of Photos
Index of Video Examples
Special Man in White - Man in Black Sub-Web
[Hank Williams and Johnny Cash]
from my April 2012 "College for a Day Presentation"
Special Silver Threads Make the Gold Sub-Web
from my November 2010 "College for a Day" Presentation
Special Carter Family Sub-Web
from my April 2010 "College for a Day" Presentation
Honor Thy Music