Alternative Country (Whatever That Is)

1. to what does the phrase "alternative country" (originally Alt.country") refer?

In this term it was necessary.

2. When did the alternative country movement begin to take shape?

1955.
(a) On what musical styles is it based?

rock musical style.

3. What was No Depression, and when did it exist?

magazine

4. Name at least 10 artists who fall into the category of "alternative country." What do
they have in common?

The Waco brother, Gillian Welch, Steve Earle, Slobberbone, Wilco and Uncle Tupelo.

5. Who is Uncle Tupelo, and why is the group significant?

Music of kingdom.

    (a) How does its song "No Depression" (1990) and the album by the same name
reflect Uncle Tupelo's musical style and alt.country in general?

Protesting

6. Where was BR-549 discovered and how did the band acquire its name?

1993

    (a) Briefly describe the band's image.

50s, to 70s.

7. How would one describe BR-549's musical style(s) as represented in the song and
video for "Cherokee Boogie" (1996)?

Rhythm
(a) Why is this song and group considered alternative country?
Dressing style.

8. Who is Alison Krauss, and why is she significant?

Alison Krauss was a singer

9. How does she reinforce but also distance herself from traditional bluegrass in songs
such as "So Long, So Wrong" (1997)?

Timber, intimateness of voice

10. What musical influences make up Hank III's personal style?

Southern rock and cowpunk

(b) Why did he sign with Curb Records in Nashville?

He signed a contract

(c) What controversial events surrounded the release of his first album Straight to
Hell (1996) with Curb Records?

Battle with curb records

11. How does the song "Dick in Dixie" (1996) express Hank III’s displeasure with
Nashville and commercial country music, in general?

Annoyance

12. Who is Shooter Jennings, and what is his pedigree?

Famous celebrities of country music.

13. How does his song "Put the 'O' Back in Country" (2005) reflect his personal
approach to alternative country?

Admired personality

(a) How does his approach to criticizing commercial country music differ from that
of Hank III?

criticizing commercial country music

Country Music in the Post-9/11 World

1. Why did so many country artists' careers surge as a result of the numerous songs
about the events of 9/11 and its aftermath?

component of music.

    (a) Why didn't other "American musics" such as jazz, blues, or hip-hop experience a
equal surge in popularity?
Gigantic affair of American politics.

2. What about the country artists who opposed the war?

Opposed battle

3. Names five examples of artists and songs that became popular in the wake of 9/11.

Toby Keith and Garth.

4. In class we will listen to Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped
Turning?" (2001).

(a) How the song was received by the general public?

Criticized it.

(b) Does the text reveal Jackson's views on the Iraq war? Why or why not?

victims of war.

(c) How does the song reflect Jackson's own personal musical style?

musical style was pop.

5. Who is Daryl Worley?

country music.

6. How does his song "Have You Forgotten?" (2003) compare/contrast with that of
Jackson's "Where Were You?" in terms of musical style and tenor of opinion regarding
9/11?

He criticized

7. What is Toby Keith's background?

He don’t have any commands.

8. How does his musical approach to "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry
American)" (2001) reflect his upbringing?

Racial discrimination

(a) How would you describe the song's tenor?

bluegrass.

9. In 2002 the Dixie Chicks released "Travelin' Soldier."

    (a) What is the song about?

9/11.

(b) Does the song reveal any political bias?

political biasness.

10. Briefly describe the controversy between the Dixie Chicks and Toby Keith, 2002-
2003.

extended time period.

(a) What was the eventual fallout for the Dixie Chicks following Natalie Maines's
controversial statements in 2003?

He left for four years.

11. In class we will watch the video to the Dixie Chicks' song, "Not Ready to Make
Nice" (2006).

(a) How does the song reveal the group's opinion of Natalie Maines's earlier comments?
Effectual manner.
(b) Why was this song so popular upon its release?
Song so popular

 (c) What images in the video reinforce the groups views?

Team working