Country Music Mourns A Legend's Passing

Last week, the world mourned the loss of country music legend Johnny Cash, who died in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, September 12, 2003.

The 71-year-old performer and song writer, known as the "Man in Black," was a major artistic influence in both Country and Rock music, spanning several decades.

During his lifetime, Cash produced over 1,500 songs and won 11 grammys. He was the youngest person ever chosen for the Country Music Hall of Fame and the only person ever selected for the Country and Rock Music Hall of Fame, until 1998, when Elvis Presley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Country is a truly American genre of music. Born in the southern Appalachia Mountains, country music has evolved over many years and is close kin to rock and bluegrass, among others.

This week, you'll learn about where country music first took hold and how it spread across the country. You'll also meet some of the industry's legends as well as current stars.

Down Home

Start your lesson at Roughstock's History of Country Music site, and read about The Beginnings in Tennessee. As you move down the page, zoom in on some of the photos or video clips for a closer look.

Who were Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family? When did they produce their first and last recordings?

Next, meet Acuff & The Grand Ole Opry. How did the Opry get its start, and how exactly did it promote country music on a national scale?

In the American West, country music evolved into Cowboy Music. How did Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and the Sons of Pioneers contribute to this Western variety of country music? In what ways did radio, television and the movie industry help spread its popularity?

At about the same time cowboys were yodeling, Western Swing was the hot ticket in the southcentral U.S. What mix of music types helped create Western Swing? How is that different from the cowboy music? Can you identify specifically regional influences?

Next up is Bill Monroe & Bluegrass. Where did bluegrass come from? How did the banjo become a distinctive instrument for bluegrass music?

The style that probably has most influenced country music today, however, is Honky Tonk. How do the titles of the Hank Williams songs reflect the characteristics of Honky Tonk?

Honky Tonk certainly influenced the Nashville Sound, but what other types of music were part of Nashville's special blend?

Well into the second half of the 20th century, Outlaw Country gained ground on the airwaves. How did Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash fit into this era and why was it a change from the Nashville Sound?

But, of course, there were also Urban Cowboys, particularly in the 1980s. Why does the author state that this was the most "infamous era in country music"?

Despite that dismal decade, country music has been making a comeback since the 1990s with Garth & New Country. What proportion of adult listeners tune in to new country music stations? Whether you like country music or not, do any of the performers' names listed seem familiar? Do you know anyone who listens to their songs?

The Hall of Fame

Now you're off to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

You can browse their Music History section, if you have time. Some of the information in these galleries is the same as the Roughstock site, but some of it is different.

For example, in the timeline if you check out 1500-1920, you'll discover how migrants to North America brought storytelling and string music to the American South — essentially sowing the seeds of country music.

This site also has a cool Instruments gallery. Browsing through the different instruments, which ones have you seen or heard playing country music? What about playing other types of music? What are the origins of each instrument? What musicians were noted for their talents in playing them?

Next you can meet some of the Hall of Famers honored here, taking your pick among its 60-plus members.

Check out some of the performers you haven't met yet during today's lesson, like maybe Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Buck Owens, and The Everly Brothers.

In what ways did the regional culture of where these musicians were born and raised possibly shape their attraction to country music?

Do you ever listen to country music, or at least overhear someone else playing it, during your day? Is there a particular variety of country music that you or your friends prefer over the others? If so, what exactly is it about that variety that distinguishes it from the others — the lyrics, the melody, the voice qualities, the lead singer's personality?

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Newspaper Activities

Browse through Targetnewspaper and find articles about any type of music. Is the news subject related to country music or at least a close cousin of it? If so, does the news story highlight a local band or a major name? What is it about the group or the story's news peg that would be of interest to other readers in your area? Do you think the prevalence of country music fans in your community is somewhat related to where you live? Why or why not?