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Western Music is literally, the music of the Western
part of the United States of America. It has its roots in the music of
Ireland and England and was brought to America by settlers as early as
the late 1600's but mainly during the late 1700's and early 1800's. When
the settlers moved from the eastern US to the far West, they brought
their music with them. However, the journey was a rough one and the
challenges they faced were different than what they had known either in
Europe or in colonial America. The wagon trains and individual
immigrants faced hostile weather, land and native people as well as
other not so nice travellers. As the land was settled and the cities
grew, the words of the songs changed to reflect the times in which the
people lived. The melodies stayed basically the same but the words
focused on the present. Irish and English Songs of the sea became songs
of the plains and mountains. Songs of the far off lands became songs of
the life with Indians, dust and drought, cattle drives and outlaws. Some
of the songs remained in the southern and eastern mountain regions of
the US and became what we call 'Folk' or 'Mountain' or 'hillbilly'
music. In the 1930's, 'hillbilly' music was very popular on radio and
was sung and recorded by such groups as the Beverly Hillbillies, the
Lightcrust Dough Boys, The Carter's, the Massey's, the Maddox's, Jimmy
Rogers, and many, many others.
In the movies, the music of the singing cowboy caught on
and was being written not only by people who knew the West, but also by
people who lived in the East and thought they understood what the West
was all about -- the singer was always a good cowboy and the villain
rarely, if ever, sang. The Sons of the Pioneers became the main force in
Western Music both in movies, on the radio, and on recordings. Many
other groups were formed to capitalize on their success and for a number
of years people could hear the songs of Roy Rogers and the Sons of the
Pioneers, Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys, Rex Allen, and many
others. All three of the major singing cowboys were able to really ride
horses and call themselves cowboys.
The cowboy became legendary in the US and worldwide and
is arguably, the most important and identifiable character in
literature, movies, radio, and television. He is the one symbol that is
uniquely "American". As far as the music's effect on culture
-- he represents a romanticized notion of freedom, individuality,
mobility and most importantly - truth and swift justice. The music
represents the vastness and beauty of the land, the ability of the
people to meet the problems of the West, and the outlaws and trail
drives.
While the real world isn't so clear and simple, the
cowboy and the music he sings while playing his guitar, is an image that
has helped solidify and mold a country and an image that has stood the
test of time.
10 NOV 1998 by
Michelle M. Sundin
Former WMA Executive Director
Visit WMA for
more informations about western music.
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