Bluegrass: Evolution in Appalachia
How has bluegrass evolved in Appalachia and what impacts has it had?
Bluegrass is a part of the Appalachian culture that can be seen today. In the mid twentieth century, Bill Monroe was credited with being the “Father of Bluegrass.” Bluegrass can be seen as a mix of several different genres such as gospel, blues, country, and old time. Throughout the history of Bluegrass, most musicians that play the genre come out of Appalachia, however not all musicians that play bluegrass are from Appalachia. Bluegrass is considered to be popular in the region. In the beginning of bluegrass’ evolution in Appalachia, most musicians were based in Danville VA. In 1945, Monroe created a new sound and thus bluegrass was founded. Most say this was at the Grand Ole Opry when his band The Blue Grass Boys performed in 1945. His band included a banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and a string bass (Roach, 10–11). Earl Scruggs was in Monroe’s band and his three-finger roll banjo playing style set the bar for bluegrass. The festival “The Story of Bluegrass” helped make bluegrass more popular because of the story told within the festival and Bill Monroe new sound (Roach 11). This type of music resonated with people, they could relate to it and really find it meaningful. People came to festivals and everyone would be completely still when Monroe and his band were playing, that’s how much of an impact it had on people. The festivals helped bluegrass musicians have an economic income. Carlton Haney had a huge part in the development of bluegrass festivals and his creation of the festival “The Story of Bluegrass” helped others succeed. The festivals for bluegrass helped it become its own genre. The festivals and spread of bluegrass music allowed for the genre to take off and eventually become popular. It has allowed musicians from the Appalachian region to make money and relate to the community around them. Monroe, Scruggs, and bluegrass festivals have all contributed to the establishment, creation and popularity of bluegrass in the Appalachian region.
Bluegrass also include breaks where a member of the band has a solo with their instrument. When this happens, the player steps out of the line that the band is in and forward to play his or her solo. Usually, every instrument has a solo within a song. Bluegrass is also played in a way that requires its audience to listen, not to dance to like Old-time was initially for. Scruggs’s three finger roll really helped establish bluegrass as a spate genre than country in the 1940–1950’s. Monroe and his band really set the stage for bluegrass and their sound was different enough to establish a whole new genre. The music that bluegrass has produced has contributed to the culture of Appalachia because of the relationship it has with the communities. Topics of bluegrass songs could include love, death, wanting to go back home and even political protests.
Recording and broadcasting technology has allowed bluegrass to really take off and become more available to those both inside and outside Appalachia. Monroe’s appearance on television also allowed for the genre to be established in a short amount of time. The genre even pops up around the world, 30 countries include members of the International Bluegrass Association (A Brief History of Bluegrass Music by Bluegrass Heritage Foundation).
Although bluegrass is credited to Monroe and his band, the creation of the genre has roots in African music and concepts. It is not solely Monroe who created bluegrass, but those artists who both influence him and came before him. From British to African instruments, bluegrass music has a wealth of history behind it. The culture of it is not just Appalachian. The initial perception that many get from bluegrass, is that it is not a racially diverse genre. But in fact, many of the initial origins are in fact from African Americans. Many of the musical concepts come from Africa. This means that bluegrass is both culturally rich in black and white origins.
From my sources I found that Bluegrass has had quite the impact on Appalachia. From influences like country to blues, it has been created into its own genre of music. Although it is usually portrayed as mountain music, it is in fact more popular in the region. People who listen to this music can feel its purpose and can relate to the music in a way that is different from other genres. Some consider bluegrass to become part of pop culture in the United States. Festivals and Monroe’s band helped allow it to become its own genre. The bluegrass genre has even led to the creation of a new kind of bluegrass frequently referred to as “new grass.” Bluegrass has become part of the culture of Appalachia. It is usually identified with the region and is often used to describe Appalachia. Although bluegrass is not just Appalachian, it has greatly embodied the culture of Appalachia and speaks to many people. If bluegrass had not become its own genre, the culture of Appalachia would be different today as a result.
I created a brochure to explain bluegrass in Appalachia along with its origins and history. By understanding bluegrass’ history, it is easier to see how it has influenced the places around it.
SOURCES:
“A Brief History of Bluegrass Music by Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.” Bluegrass HeritageFoundation, 10 July 2017, bluegrassheritage.org/history-of-bluegrass-music/.
Bumbach, Matthew. “WATCHING BLUEGRASS GROW: The Rise of Bluegrass Music in theChoral World.” The Choral Journal, vol. 57, no. 11, 2017, pp. 8.
Perryman, Charles W. “Africa, Appalachia, and Acculturation: The History of Bluegrass Music.” Order №3605866 West Virginia University, 2013. Ann Arbor: ProQuest. Web. 19 Apr. 2018
Roach, Ron R. “‘The Story of Bluegrass:” Carlton Haney, Bill Monroe, and Redemption Dramain the First Bluegrass Festivals.” Journal of Appalachian Studies, vol. 20, no. 1, 2014, pp. 7–23. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jappastud.20.1.0007.
“37TH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL THIS WEEKENDAT LINCOLN’S NEW SALEM STATE HISTORIC SITE.” States News Service, 8 Sept. 2017. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/apps/doc/A503755685/ITOF?u=viva_vpi&sid=ITOF&xid=ae073da9. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
