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Nov 29, 2006
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Original Country Music (OCM) is a type of music that has a unique sound and style with a blend of musical forms originally found in the Southern United States. It evolved from folk music, gospel music and old-time or hillbilly music in the 1920s. The term country music began to surface in the 1940s when the earlier term hillbilly music was considered degrading. Currently it is referred to as original country music (coined by Ray Price), thereby distinguishing it from the current pop oriented sound.
Traditional artists had a distinctive sound, a sort of brand that made them easily identifiable from their peers. Hank Williams, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Kitty Wells and Patsy Cline all had distinguishable voices as did their peers. The music was presented in a heartfelt and professional manner. The industry fostered respect and it was exemplified by the method the artists presented themselves on and off stage. There were no faded or torn jeans, unmatched apparel or exposed cleavage. The Grand Ole Opry had stringent rules that not only governed the aforementioned, but also the type of musical instruments allowed on stage. Until the mid-1950s, the Opry didnt allow drums on stage and initially drums were placed back stage behind curtains. By the early-1990s, Opry executives loosened the rules regarding onstage presentations and today it appears they have little involvement in that aspect of the business.
Country music began to drift away from its traditional roots and transition toward a soft pop sound (commonly referred to as alternative country) in the Eighties. By the early-1990s, a flurry of new artists such as The Judds, Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sawyer Brown and Clint Black were among several who helped transform country music beyond its original identity. Some of those singers as wells as many who have since broke into the business have indistinguishable voices. Garth Brooks played a key role in reshaping country music by setting records for both sales and concert attendance throughout the decade. He also had a role in altering the untainted image of country music when he began swinging from ropes and busting up expensive guitars during his act.
Alternative country evolved from a diverse group of musicians, songwriters and singers operating outside the traditions of OCM. Today, most lyrics are sort of a cookie cutter type, often bland, dull and weak on substance. During the emergence of alternative country music, the Nashville establishment got caught between greed for generation huge revenue and exercising sound judgment and in the process, they decided to cast aside the established artists and the traditional sound and promote new artists and the outlandish sound they then and now pass as country music.
While its understandable that the music industry is in business to make a profit, they chose to commit all resources to the new trend and bury the past. Their decision to change course was evidently driven by what they thought would generate the highest revenue and with budget constraints, they probably lacked resources to promote new artist as well as the established. However, during that time, there was a huge demand for traditional artists, such as, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrel and Dolly Parton. Established artists were drawing substantial concert crowds and sales of their music remained steadfast. Accordingly, there seemed to be an opportunity for the industry to make reasonable profits by promoting established artists.
Without the support of the music industry, the traditional artists had no chance of survival and their careers diminished. Despite objection from many sectors of the music and entertainment arena and country music fans, the Nashville establishment stayed the course.
The real country sound, so common back then, is rarely duplicated today. That sound is forever lost in a maze of over produced, assembly-line music that passes for country music. While theres still significant interest in OCM, its becoming increasingly difficult to locate on all media types. Most of what is available is only a sparse selection of the artist bigger hits. Some radio stations across America devote a few hours each week for airing OCM. However, the broadcasting of the music is usually done during non-peak time, such as late night or weekends. OCM is aired on satellite radio, but the biggest outlet for the music at present is YouTube. Young people are discovering the music on YouTube and surprisingly, many are amazed it exists. YouTube is also the source for fans to stay connected with a musical genre that has an exclusive identity. Thanks to YouTube original country music may never fade into oblivion and become a footnote in history books.
Written by: RJB, Country Music Historian - Nashville, TN, USA
Country:
United States
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flashbell uploaded a new video
Classic Tracks ~ Don't Let Me Cross Over (Carl & Pearl Butler)
Album: Don't Let Me Cross Over, Columbia CS-8802 (Feb. 1963) Single: Don't Let Me ... more |
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flashbell uploaded a new video
The Life and Times of Carl and Pearl Butler
Carl Butler (Jun. 2, 1927 ~ Sep. 4, 1992) Pearl Butler (Sep. 20, 1927 ~ Mar. 1, 1988) Carl and Pearl Butle... more |
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flashbell uploaded a new video
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flashbell uploaded a new video
~RJB: Country Music Historian, April, 2011. References: Record Research: Country Music Singles 1944 -- 1993; Billboard Magazine; RJB: Original Coun...
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flashbell uploaded a new video
The first number to the right of the artist name represents how many weeks the song held the Billboard number one chart position. The year represen...
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Subscribers
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Channel Comments
(288)
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Mr17031964
(23 hours ago)
beautiful country songs
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FutureGenTacticz
(1 day ago)
you should apply for the partner program. you could probs get in im trying to can you help me get noticed?
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WeGoLook
(2 days ago)
Your friendship means a great deal to us. Thank you. The We Go Look team.
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enastoyles
(4 days ago)
hi flashbell .its me again looking for another song from ya pal. i am looking for blue rodeos i cant wait to be on my way again.. thanks in advance if you have it..
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WhiteRussianBC
(4 days ago)
Your channel sucks unincorporated dick
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ChristmasBelles92
(4 days ago)
Do you have the song Souvenirs and California Memories by Billie Jo Spears from 1971? Thanks!
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enastoyles
(6 days ago)
flashbell.thanks a lot,man,for uploading crystal gayles,this is my year for mexico..i have a tape of that and she has a lot of great tunes on it.shes a wonderful singer,,,thanks again.
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Sunfish737
(1 week ago)
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Greetings from Russia Moscow!!! You have the best channel.! What do you think about sub for sub?
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100johnwayne
(1 week ago)
Wonderful channel. Thank you!!
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weidow1
(1 week ago)
Hi, come check out my original country songs when you can.....while your here...go to your channel and click the "videos and playlists" tab above your video...then click the little box that says "autoplay featured video" ...this will allow your video to automatically play and it counts as a view when someone stops by to visit your channel....you may have known this already, but if not...hope it helps....I can tell that you love your traditional country but let me know what ya think of my music
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