The War Years and Their Aftermath (1940s-1953), and the Honky Tonk Era

What was life like in the 1940s for the average American?

During period of 1940s, average American started to adopt new technologies and life styles
due to which their focus on war removed. The major breakthrough in technology was radio,
television and telephone. This advancement gives boom to economy. People started to make
their career in music and produce good song. American music contributed in American
economy in positive and significant manner.

What technological advancements changed the way commercial artists looked and
sounded?

The artist’s look has been changed dramatically due to technological advancement. Musicians
used different electrical guitars and bass in order to produced music on radio and television. It
also made easy to produce music albums and give entertainment to audience.

What were the dobro and the steel guitar?

It was metallic timbre.

How did copyright protection change during this era?

BMI has worked tremendously for protection of copyrights.

Who was Roy Acuff and why is he significant in regards to the following:

a. Music performance
b. Songwriting and publishing

Music Performance
Roy Acruff was very good singer and stage performer. There was very charming stage
relation between Roy and Minnie Pearl. He was famous due to impressive style of singing.

Songwriting and publishing

Roy Acruff was not only singer but also very good in writing lyrics. There were many songs
written by Roy himself. Later on, he started to focus on publishing business only. He had his
own publishing center with name of “Roy Acruff Publishing Center”. His center was located
at Nashville.
What changes did the earlier "hillbilly" music undergo during the 1940s and early
1950s?

There were many changes occurred during decade during1940 to 1950 and which have
significant impact on “hillbilly”. There were many famous artists who lost their careers and it
was main significant change.

What is a honky tonk and who are some artists associated with this musical style?
Honky tonky is loud and rowdy music. This music type has two aspects; (1) artist (2)
performance place. Hank William, Hank Thompson, Merle Travis and Hank Snow are
famous artist of Honky Tonky.

What does Hank Thompson's hit song “The Wild Side of Life” (1951) reveal about
honky tonk music and the lifestyle with which it is associated?

The lyrics of song are very sexy and musicians have used steel pedal for guitar. The song
theme is about a woman who is very poor, homeless and in miserable situation.

According to Kitty Wells and her “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”
(1952), what did make honky tonk angels?

This song made by angles of honky Tonk and theme is about cheating men with their girls
friends or wives.

For many fans from 1947 and 1953, Hank Williams was country music, specifically
honky tonk. How might this be true, especially in regards to the following:

 Lifestyle
 Musical Style

Lifestyle

Hank William didn’t have impressive life style because he was addict to drugs and cheated
on many women.

Musical Style

He sung two famous songs; (1) “your cheating heart” (2) “I am so Lonesome I could cry”.
The main instruments in these songs were guitar and drums. The melody of song has twist
and triple meter which showed sadness in song.

Lecture B) Rockabilly (mid-1950s-late 1960s)

1. What styles combined to form "rockabilly" in the mid-1950s?

 Rock n Roll

2. Who was Sam Phillips?

He owned and operated the sun records.

    (a) What was his "dream team" of rockabilly artists at Sun Records?

Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis  

3. Why is Elvis Presley considered by many, not to be the "King of Rock and Roll?"
    (a) What was his upbringing and musical background?

 He born in the Tupelo in 1935.

    (b) How does his song "Mystery Train" (1955) outline his rockabilly style in regards
to form, rhythm, and harmony?

It is having the structure of Rock n Roll.  

4. Who is Jerry Lee Lewis's , and what life choice contributed to his rapid decline in
popularity in the late 1950s?

 He born in the Louisiana and belonged to the church.

    (a) How did his stage presence compare to that of Elvis?

He was having the sexually appealing body and performance.  

5. Who are the Everly Brothers, and how would one describe their musical style?

 Hillbilly Duos.

6. In which ways did they forge new crossover directions?

They used various rhythms.    

    (a) How does their 1958 hit "All I have to Do is Dream" exemplify this?

 Through AABA.  

7. Why is Johnny Cash significant?

 He was linked to the legendary country.

8. How does his song "Folsom Prison Blues" (1968) reinforce his identification with the
poor, working class in terms of the following?

    (a) lyrics: deals with the being stuck in prison.

    (b) form / harmony: Modified harmony

    (c) rhythm: Train song