Introduction
The music of the West differs greatly from the music played in my home country of South Korea. These differences have piqued my curiosity and increased my interest in new types of music. Of all the different genres present in this country, what has especially caught my attention is Country music.
The first time I had a chance to listen to this kind of music was when I was a sophomore in high school. My roommate and best friend played a series of songs which he claimed were country music. Since then, I have always been a fan of country music. It expresses messages or stories that are wonderfully crafted with the right combination of melody and rhythm that is not harsh on the ears. I really enjoy listening to this kind of music, especially those popularized by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family.
The Father of Country Music
Jimmie Rodgers’ songs consisted of story-related lyrics that captured the hearts and minds of listeners. He not only played music but also used entertaining words that contained relatable experiences. This is how he connected with people, and it’s something that seems to endure over time (Potterfield).
I believe that Jimmie Rodgers developed his musical skills due to the nature of his work as a brakeman on the Mississippi railways. According to his biographies, he started working on railroads when he was only fourteen years old. Through his job, he became familiar with Blues, a genre originated by black Americans, and got used to hearing stories from various people on the train. Some shared their dreams while others talked about their misfortunes. All these experiences were reflected in Jimmie Rodgers’ music.
It is said that he started singing before he turned fourteen years old. However, his father did not allow him to pursue this passion. He obeyed his father’s wishes until he contracted tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four, which impaired him and forced him to quit his job as a brakeman when he was twenty-seven.
Indeed, this incident is awful, but it has been a blessing in disguise for Rodgers. It opened a door for him to go back to what he really wants to do, which is to sing and play music. People have fallen in love with his music more than ever. As he tells them about their sufferings and joys, they become more fascinated and amazed at how he manages to convey all of these emotions.
Jimmie Rodgers is now regarded as the “father of country music”. His music is composed of ballads, blues, and folk songs. He was popular for the Blue Yodel series, which depicts the journey of trains or the people inside them. The series includes thirteen different songs that tell their stories and a yodel refrain that sounds like a train’s whistle. (Potterfield)
My favorite song by Jimmie Rodgers is Waiting for a Train”. It has a lovely rhythm that relaxes the listeners and a captivating, funny story. The song tells the story of a “bum” who was sleeping on the railroads when he was found by the brakeman. According to the lyrics, he felt as if nobody wanted him anymore or cared for him. It also expresses feelings of homesickness and being alone in a strange place with people he does not know.
The first family of country music.
The Carter Family, on the other hand, was composed of Alvin Pleasant Carter, Sara, and Maybelle. Alvin Pleasant was known for collecting songs from all over the countryside of Virginia and incorporating them into ballads. It is also noted that the two females were responsible for arranging these songs. Most of their music consisted of gospel songs and highland or folk songs. (Carlene)
The family is famous for Maybelle’s guitar playing style, now known as the Carter style.” She established the female role in country music and popularized the use of guitar as a solo instrument, earning her the title “Queen of Country Music.” Other members also played instruments: Alvin on fiddle and Sara on auto-harp. (Davidoff)
My favorite song by the Carter Family is Keep on the Sunny Side,” which is actually an inspirational song. What I love about this song is its acknowledgement of life’s pitfalls. Amongst the troubles we may experience, we must also remember the sunny side of life – those happy memories and positive thoughts. This song reminds me that life is all about perspective; how we choose to see it depends solely on our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
The Carter Family is renowned for being the first Country Family, which is appropriate since generations of the family are still involved in country music today. Their music was lively, encouraging, and motivating. It’s something one should listen to if feeling down or bothered by something and losing hope.
Similarities and Differences
What major similarities exist between the songs or music of Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family, aside from their shared genre? Both captivate listeners by introducing a new trend of music. This music is not solely about urban areas or romantic love, but instead encourages listeners to exercise their imagination and feel the emotions conveyed by the lyrics and music.
Both of these terms indicate a change in the audience’s attitude towards music. The audience now desires to have their stories told and wants music that has a deeper meaning. This type of music not only captures the listener’s attention but also encourages contemplation and empathy. In my opinion, this kind of music is superior to simply enjoying the sounds of instruments alone.
Regarding their use of instruments, both performers were able to excel using the guitar, which was not a popular choice among musicians during their time. Each had their own unique style of playing, allowing them to make the music their own. While the Carter family’s music was stylized with Maybelle’s distinct techniques, Rodgers incorporated elements of Blues into his music. Despite these differences, both artists’ music remained relatively simple in nature. (Malone)
Although, as I have said, their music possesses both a folk and country-side atmosphere, the two trends differ largely in terms of audience and the stories they aim to express. The Carter Family sang about hope and encouragement for the hopeless and lonely listener, while Jimmie Rodgers’ music focused on practical experiences in life.
Also, Jimmie Rodgers was a solo artist, while the Carter Family was a band consisting of three members. Rodgers’ music did not directly uplift the spirits of his audience but instead sang about their worries or made them blatant enough to be addressed. The Carter Family’s music was mainly lively and had a kind of energy that made listeners realize the life they have and how they can improve or move forward.
Both started out singing to save a few dollars and eventually signed contracts with Peers and Victor. However, later in their career, the Carter Family switched to American Recording Company (Malone, 37).
Concluding remarks.
Their music is really my favorite because it helps drive away some of my worries and makes me feel like there’s someone willing to listen to all of my life’s struggles. Country music has allowed the sounds of the hills and meadows to reach even the busiest city streets. Their music has helped me through tough times and given me a more positive outlook on life. Both types of music are easy on the ears, unlike some modern popular music that can be overwhelming.
Works Cited:
Carlin, Richard. Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary. USA: Routledge, 2003.
Davidoff, Nicholas. In The Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American. Vintage Books, 1998.
Malone, Bill C. Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’: Country Music and the Southern Working Class :Music in American Life. Illinois: University of Illinois Press, 2002.
Porterfield, Nolan. Jimmie Rodgers: The Life and Times of America’s Blue Yodeler. Illinois: University of Illinois Press, 1992.
