Tunes for Twangers
Music 305 A
A History of Country Music

Primary Bibliography, Reference & Research Materials

Audio Examples
The course is a “music” class in so much as music is the “tie that binds” the discussions for the Twangers. As such, approximately 100 recordings are utilized during the class sessions. It is important for the Twangers to get the “sounds in their ears” of the influences, the artists and their unique cultural identities, the intertwining genres that come together to form “country music”. The primary cache of recordings are ones I collected and obtained during the two-year preparation phase for the Twangers – and are kept on an internal drive – which provides easy and instant access during our class sessions [also protects copyright issues]. These recordings are all “originals” [i.e. not “covers” by another artist] including many “gems” from early recordings of the G.O.O. [aka Grand Ol Opry – from its inception in 1925], the Bristol Sessions [1927], many from the private collection of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the incredible collection in the Library of Congress [for the most-part assembled by John and Alan Lomax], “Route 23” [an amazing work compiled by Bob Gates, narrated by Ricky Skaggs – with many, many audio examples and interviews with the people of Appalachia], plus many, many other sources. Even as the class is “in session” I continually add to our audio holdings – so the complete index of audio examples is never completely up-to-date in toto.

Video Examples
With the advent and widespread usage of YouTube – another remarkable series of materials has become available – and I/We continually expand the opportunities represented by this resource [not originally even factored into the equation during the development of Twangers]. Current YouTube offerings include segments from PBS specials [interviews with Mother Maybelle Carter, interviews with the grandson of Te-Tot – (a huge find)], plus many, many early live broadcasts of the Carters, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Sr. Roy Acuff, et al]. As with the audio collection for Twangers, even as the class is “in session I continually add to our video holdings.

Note
as no “text” for a course of this nature exists – the following materials were of inestimable help in designing and constructing Tunes for Twangers …

Print Materials
Kingsbury, Paul – Editor. The Encyclopedia of Country Music (complied by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame). Oxford University Press. New York. 1998. Paperback Issue. 2004.

Malone, Bill C.. Country Music USA – a Fifty-Year History. University of Texas Press. Austin. 1968. Sixth Printing. 1975.

Wolfe, Charles K and Akenson, James E – Editors. Country Music – Annual 2002. University Press of Kentucky. Lexington. 2002.

Wolfe, Charles K and Akenson, James E – Editors. The Woman of Country Music – A Reader. University of Kentucky Press. Lexington. 2003.

Wolfe, Charles K. A Good-Natured Riot – The Birth of the Grand Ole Opry. The Country Music Foundation Press and Vanderbilt University Press. 1999.

Wolfe, Charles K.. Classic Country – Legends of Country Music. Routledge Press. New York. 2001.

and an amazing new resource – not sure how to “categorize” it …

More than Music – A Heritage Driving Tour of Kentucky’s Route 23. Written by Judy Sizemore. Narrated by Ricky Scaggs. Project Director – Bob Gates. Published by the Kentucky Department of Tourism. 2006.

also, a very special mention must be made of an amazing “human resource” …

Mr. John Rumble, Senior Historian, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville who provided invaluable advice, suggestions and information as the Tunes for Twangers class was taking shape.