Lecture A) Singing and Swinging Cowboys

How was the American "west" represented in 19th and 20th centuries?

West considered as independent and liberal in culture of America. They also admire
the culture of American cowboys and wild grass.

How was the west culturally different from the American South? 

There is significant difference between cultures of both countries. They are different in
fashion, music, social norms, weather, population size and economy.

How has the image of the American cowboy changed over the past two centuries?
There are different factors due to which image of cowboy has changed with passage
of time. The dressing style was change in 19 th century and 20th century. They were more in
working class due to which they wear comfortable jeans, hat and shoes with causal style.
They usually used horses for transportation purpose. While on the other hand, they stated to
wear more stylish dressing during 20 th century. They wear edgy shoes with jeans, jacket, hat
and handkerchief.

Who was the Gene Autry?

The name of first successful singing cowboy was “Gene Autry”.

Where did he get his first significant exposure to national audiences?

He got exposure during 1931.

What was is pop cultural output?

“Home on Revenge”

In class we will listen to Gene Autry's rendition of "Home on the Range" (1943). How
did this song epitomize western style in regards to the following:

Instrumentation

This song has fiddle instrumentation.

Meter

They used triple meter in this song.

Text

The lyrics of song tell about tough lives of cowboys and romanticism.

Who was America's first popular female country artist?

Pasty Montana

What was her best known hit song?

“I want to be cowboy sweetheart”. It was released during 1935 and sung by Pasty Montana.

What Alpine vocal technique did she regularly include in her music?

Country Music

Who was Roy Rogers?

The name at stage was “AKA Roy Rogers”.

How does the hit song "Cool Water" (1948) by Sons of the Pioneers incorporate typical
western musical elements?
The music of west countries was melodious, strophic form, vocal, clear, tempo and rhythm.
They have different music instruments such bass, guitar and fiddle.

How does the song reflect life on the western plains?

This song tells about different things of west such as plains, horses, water, riding and
scorching throat. All these things showed the life of western people.

When did western swing originate?

During 1920s

What musical styles influenced its birth, growth, and development?

There are different musical styles which influence such as; (1) Boggies and Woggies (2)
swings and blues (3) Tex-Mex.

Why is Bob Wills significant to the development of western swing?

He was very famous in western culture. His dressing and work left significant impact on
swing of west.

How does will’s 1940 song "New San Antonio Rose" (1940) exemplify western swing in
regards to the following:
Form

The form of song was “ABBA”

Instrumentation

The musicians used fiddle instrument.

Lecture B) Blue Moon of Kentucky: Early Bluegrass

What are some popular myths about bluegrass in regards to the following:

Geographic Origin

The geographic origin was Kentucky.

Inventor
The inventor was Bomen Roy.

Origin of the term "bluegrass" to describe the musical style

The people have start t call this music style as bluegrass not by him.

Why is Bill Monroe considered the "Father of Bluegrass?"

It has retained strong ties with gospel. Bill Monroe is considered as father of bluegrass
because his role was essential in discovering this music type.

Describe his early life and performance experience:

He started his career during 1932 and provided many popular songs. He produced many
famous songs in WLS. He left WPTF due to different reasons.

When did Monroe make his first stage appearance at the Grand Ole Opry as a solo act?
He got opportunity of this great show after leaving WPTF and performed there as solo singer.

How would one characterize the mature "bluegrass sound" of Monroe's band, and
approximately when did this occur?

Bluegrass sound occurred during 1945 and mixture of different sounds exist such as; (1) bass
(rainwater) (2) Banjo (early Scruggs) (3) guitar (Lester Flatt).

How does Monroe's tune “I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky” reflect this?

There are different music instruments and tempo used in this tune.

When did Flatt and Scruggs depart Monroe's band?

Both left the band in 1948 after raising tensions and dispute with Monroe.

How did they further develop and popularize the bluegrass sound, e.g., as heard in their
hit song “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” (1967).

He was very famous after singing different film songs and also performed at Grand Ole Opry.

Who is Ralph Stanley, and why is he significant?

He was very famous artist of Bluegrass music.

What regional sound can be heard in Ralph Stanely's vocal timbre?   

Voice of Cling Mountain can be heard in it.