That song was considered country for some reason, along with others he did.
That particular song was written by Don Gibson. Do you know who he is? Was he a country writer?
That song was considered country for some reason, along with others he did.
I never knew Bill Monroe was so hard to work with. And did I understand this right? They call it "bluegrass" because fans used the name of the band to explain the style of music they wanted rather than use his name?
I've always heard that "bluegrass" came from the hills of Kentucky ("The Bluegrass State") where it originated. But if you listen closely to some of it you can hear its origins in Irish music.
Right, and the band was named for Kentucky, and the statement is made the fans asked for music by the band.Kentucky was the Bluegrass State before Monroe, a Kentuckian, formed his band. The documentary is correct. The music became known as bluegrass because it was adapted from existing folk styles by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys.
Ironically, Ray Price was said to be one of those who stayed country when others did not. The song of his I know best is "For the Good Times" which doesn't sound country at all.
Another example of an artist who isn't considered County but was featured in both is Jackson Browne. County can be narrowly or widely defined.
It wasn't mentioned in the documentary, but Jackson was originally in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He was high school friends with Jeff Hanna. He became friends with Ronstadt and Henley, and went off on his own. None of his own songs ever received airplay on country radio at the time. Ronstadt on the other hand did get played on country radio, especially when she joined up with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.
Her "Love Is A Rose" was released to country radio at the same time "Heat Wave" went to pop. Both got plenty of airplay. "Love Is A Rose," of course, was written by Neil Young, whom country radio wouldn't dream of playing back then.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, or at least Crosby Stills and Nash, did several songs that sound country. "Teach Your Children" (which is now on standards radio along with "Our House" and "Just a Song Before I Go") and "Wasted on the Way", and maybe "Southern Cross".Her "Love Is A Rose" was released to country radio at the same time "Heat Wave" went to pop. Both got plenty of airplay. "Love Is A Rose," of course, was written by Neil Young, whom country radio wouldn't dream of playing back then.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, or at least Crosby Stills and Nash, did several songs that sound country. "Teach Your Children" (which is now on standards radio along with "Our House" and "Just a Song Before I Go") and "Wasted on the Way", and maybe "Southern Cross".
I was surprised Bob Dylan was even mentioned other than as an influence on Johnny Cash but I guess some of his music sounds sort of country.
I was surprised to hear Woody Guthrie described as country, but I actually liked him.Bob Dylan was mentioned for several reasons: He recorded three monumental albums in Nashville using country musicians (including Charlie McCoy and Charlie Daniels). There was a major exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame titled "Dylan & Cash" during the making of the Burns film, and it was very influential on the documentary. Dylan traced his musical roots to Woody Guthrie, who was mentioned in the earlier episodes of Country Music. Guthrie was a contemporary of the Carter Family.
I just heard "For the Good Times" on America's Best Music.Written by Kris Kristofferson, produced by Don Law, who also worked with Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins. It came at a time when everyone was recording Kristofferson songs. Ray's friends hated it when he'd put strings on his songs. But those were his biggest hits. He might have been a purist but he wasn't an idiot. He knew how to milk a ballad for the best effect.
I was surprised Bob Dylan was even mentioned other than as an influence on Johnny Cash but I guess some of his music sounds sort of country.