Tunes for Twangers
Music 305 A
A History of Country Music
Module 9 ~ Today
and Beyond
This Module – the last module, is at great variance with the other eight
presented in Tunes for Twangers. It is entirely a module – filled with some
brief questions, general thoughts – and definitely no answers. It is my hope,
that at the end of the semester we shall have one class session to consider and
reflect upon country music today – and where it might be going in the future.
Note
As with Module Eight here is a distinct
possibility that we shall “run out of semester” before we get to Module Nine. I
hope that no matter the case – this information will prove helpful to each
student at some juncture.
Country Music Today
Impact of Mega-Venue [arena-style] performances
Shania Twain
Garth Brooks
Kenny Chesney
[just a few examples – could go on and on]
Impact of Music Videos
Faith Hill
Carrie Underwood
Tim McGraw
Josh Turner
[just a few examples – could go on and on]
Impact of “packaging”
Trace Adkins
Sara Evans
[just a few examples – could go on and on]
Country Music in 2020
Will Willie still be performing? [smile]
Will Dolly and Dollywood still be popular? [smile again]
What will be the impact of the Grand Ole Opry?
Will the likes of Ricky Skaggs and Allison Krause still be a “presence”
hearkening to musical roots?
Will “appearance” be an issue over “substance” – more, less or the same as
today?
Will folks still remember the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Sr., Patsy?
As is obvious – no one knows the answers to these questions. Commercialization
has been, is and probably will be an “issue” in country music [remember George
Hay started “packaging” the early Opry stars]. No
matter the case – I personally think there will always be a young gent over in
the mountains sitting around with his guitar – writing songs that will become
loved and beloved. No matter the case – I personally think there will always be
a young lady down in
Time will tell!