Country Music in the Country Music in the Swing EraSwing Era

Roy Acuff, Singing Cowboys, Roy Acuff, Singing Cowboys, and Western Swingand Western Swing

Country Music in the Swing Country Music in the Swing EraEra

Millions of white southerners migrated in Millions of white southerners migrated in search of industrial employment, forming search of industrial employment, forming enclaves in urban centers and creating a enclaves in urban centers and creating a new urban audience for hillbilly musicnew urban audience for hillbilly music

At the same time, the appeal of country music At the same time, the appeal of country music also appears to have spread among many people also appears to have spread among many people who were not born in the South.who were not born in the South.

Listeners throughout the country were Listeners throughout the country were exposed to country music on the radio.exposed to country music on the radio.

Country Music in the Swing Country Music in the Swing EraEra

A number of other factors contributed to the A number of other factors contributed to the expansion of country music during the War.expansion of country music during the War.

– The formation of BMIThe formation of BMI provided opportunities for country provided opportunities for country songwriters to publish their compositions and to receive songwriters to publish their compositions and to receive royalties.royalties.

– The American Federation of Musicians’ recording ban The American Federation of Musicians’ recording ban created more recording opportunities for hillbilly created more recording opportunities for hillbilly musicians, most of whom were not allowed to join the musicians, most of whom were not allowed to join the union. union.

– Small independent record labels Small independent record labels Themes of sentimentality, morality, and Themes of sentimentality, morality, and

patriotism, already prominent in hillbilly patriotism, already prominent in hillbilly recordings of the 1920s, played an important recordings of the 1920s, played an important role in country music’s popularity during the war. role in country music’s popularity during the war.

Roy Claxton Acuff (1903–92)Roy Claxton Acuff (1903–92) The most popular hillbilly singer of the swing The most popular hillbilly singer of the swing

eraera Began his career with a traveling medicine Began his career with a traveling medicine

showshow In 1935, formed his own band, the Crazy TennesseansIn 1935, formed his own band, the Crazy Tennesseans In 1938, joined the regular cast of WSM’s In 1938, joined the regular cast of WSM’s Grand Ole Opry Grand Ole Opry

and soon became its biggest star and soon became its biggest star Acuff performed in a style that was self-Acuff performed in a style that was self-

consciously rooted in southern folk music. consciously rooted in southern folk music. – He sang old-timey songs in a sincere, unaffected He sang old-timey songs in a sincere, unaffected

style with a pronounced southern twang.style with a pronounced southern twang.– His band used instruments derived from the His band used instruments derived from the

southern string band tradition, including the fiddle, southern string band tradition, including the fiddle, banjo, and guitar. banjo, and guitar.

Roy Claxton Acuff (1903–92)Roy Claxton Acuff (1903–92)

Acuff was a traditionalist, accepting Acuff was a traditionalist, accepting only innovations that fit within the only innovations that fit within the framework of musical traditions he had framework of musical traditions he had learned growing up in Tennessee.learned growing up in Tennessee.

Acuff’s rise to fame was in large part Acuff’s rise to fame was in large part due to the popularity of two songs that due to the popularity of two songs that are still closely associated with him:are still closely associated with him:– ““Wabash Cannon Ball”Wabash Cannon Ball”– ““Great Speckled Bird” Great Speckled Bird”

Listening: “Great Speckled Listening: “Great Speckled Bird” Bird”

Widely regarded as the national Widely regarded as the national anthem of country and western musicanthem of country and western music

Acuff’s first hit record Acuff’s first hit record Recorded in Chicago in 1936Recorded in Chicago in 1936 Acuff’s rendition crossed over to the Acuff’s rendition crossed over to the

mainstream pop charts, reaching mainstream pop charts, reaching Number Thirteen on the Billboard Hit Number Thirteen on the Billboard Hit Parade in 1938. Parade in 1938.

Listening: “Great Speckled Listening: “Great Speckled Bird”Bird”

LyricsLyrics– Composed by a southern preacherComposed by a southern preacher– Portray the church as an embattled group of Portray the church as an embattled group of

individualsindividuals– The speckled bird is a metaphor for the church, The speckled bird is a metaphor for the church,

a sign of God’s Word (as inscribed in the Bible), a sign of God’s Word (as inscribed in the Bible), and a vehicle for the salvation of the faithful.and a vehicle for the salvation of the faithful.

Based on Jeremiah 12:9, “Mine heritage is Based on Jeremiah 12:9, “Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her.” round about are against her.”

Listening: “Great Speckled Listening: “Great Speckled Bird”Bird”

What a beautiful thought I am thinkingWhat a beautiful thought I am thinking

Concerning a Great Speckled BirdConcerning a Great Speckled Bird

Remember her name is recordedRemember her name is recorded

On the pages of God’s holy wordOn the pages of God’s holy word

With all the other birds flocking ’round herWith all the other birds flocking ’round her

She is so despised by the squadShe is so despised by the squad

The Great Speckled Bird is the BibleThe Great Speckled Bird is the Bible

Representing the great Church of God. . . .Representing the great Church of God. . . .

When He cometh descending from HeavenWhen He cometh descending from Heaven

On the clouds as he writes in His WordOn the clouds as he writes in His Word

I’ll be joyfully carried to meet HimI’ll be joyfully carried to meet Him

On the wings of that Great Speckled BirdOn the wings of that Great Speckled Bird

Traditional Ethos of “Great Traditional Ethos of “Great Speckled Bird”Speckled Bird”

One source of its great appeal to southern-born One source of its great appeal to southern-born listenerslisteners

Reinforced by Acuff’s straightforward, unadorned Reinforced by Acuff’s straightforward, unadorned vocal performancevocal performance

The form of the song is derived from the strophicThe form of the song is derived from the strophic pattern of Anglo-American ballad singing. pattern of Anglo-American ballad singing.

The sixteen-bar strophe is performed a total of The sixteen-bar strophe is performed a total of five times.five times.

The melody of “Great Speckled Bird” is similar to The melody of “Great Speckled Bird” is similar to that of “I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes,” a that of “I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes,” a song popularized by the Carter Family; its song popularized by the Carter Family; its familiarity to many of Acuff’s listeners may familiarity to many of Acuff’s listeners may account in part for its success.account in part for its success.

Technology in Technology in “Great Speckled Bird”“Great Speckled Bird”

Acuff, although known as a folksy, down-Acuff, although known as a folksy, down-home country singer, was not averse to home country singer, was not averse to trying new technologies within the string trying new technologies within the string band tradition. band tradition.

New version of the standard six-string New version of the standard six-string guitar called the dobroguitar called the dobro

The blunt edge of a steel knife is used to The blunt edge of a steel knife is used to play melodic patterns on the dobro, play melodic patterns on the dobro, allowing the player to glide between allowing the player to glide between pitches, interweaving with the singer’s pitches, interweaving with the singer’s voice—called “bottleneck guitar.”voice—called “bottleneck guitar.”

The Singing CowboyThe Singing Cowboy

The heroic image of the old cowhand was The heroic image of the old cowhand was adopted by many country musicians adopted by many country musicians during the depression years as a during the depression years as a substitute for the often-denigrated image substitute for the often-denigrated image of the hillbilly.of the hillbilly.

Many country singers, whatever their Many country singers, whatever their place of birth, wore cowboy hats and place of birth, wore cowboy hats and shirts, and adopted nicknames such as shirts, and adopted nicknames such as “Tex,” “Slim,” “Hank,” or the “Lone “Tex,” “Slim,” “Hank,” or the “Lone Cowboy.”Cowboy.”

Gene Autry (1907–98)Gene Autry (1907–98)

The first successful singing cowboyThe first successful singing cowboy Born in TexasBorn in Texas In the early 1930s, Autry’s musical career In the early 1930s, Autry’s musical career

received a boost from regular appearances received a boost from regular appearances on the on the National Barn DanceNational Barn Dance, broadcast , broadcast nationwide from the Chicago radio station nationwide from the Chicago radio station WLS.WLS.

The big shift came in 1934, when Autry The big shift came in 1934, when Autry moved to Hollywood and got a bit part in a moved to Hollywood and got a bit part in a cowboy movie. cowboy movie.

Sons of the PioneersSons of the Pioneers Originated as a vocal trio in 1933, at the Originated as a vocal trio in 1933, at the

instigation of Len Slye (1911–98), who later left instigation of Len Slye (1911–98), who later left the group and became a film and television star the group and became a film and television star under the name Roy Rogers. under the name Roy Rogers.

The Sons of the Pioneers sang in many cowboy The Sons of the Pioneers sang in many cowboy movies and represented the cosmopolitan end of movies and represented the cosmopolitan end of western music. western music.

They specialized in sophisticated vocal They specialized in sophisticated vocal harmonies, influenced to some degree by the harmonies, influenced to some degree by the Mills Brothers, and were known for writing their Mills Brothers, and were known for writing their own songs, all composed by group member Bob own songs, all composed by group member Bob Nolan:Nolan:– ““Tumbling Tumbleweeds” Tumbling Tumbleweeds” – ““At the Rainbow’s End” At the Rainbow’s End” – ““Cool Water” Cool Water”

Listening: “Cool Water”Listening: “Cool Water” Written by Bob Nolan; performed by Sons Written by Bob Nolan; performed by Sons

of the Pioneers; recorded in 1941of the Pioneers; recorded in 1941 Bestseller in the country music marketBestseller in the country music market Reached Number Twenty-Five on the pop Reached Number Twenty-Five on the pop

chartscharts Features the vocal trio’s smooth, carefully Features the vocal trio’s smooth, carefully

rehearsed harmonies rehearsed harmonies – Lead singing of Bob Nolan, backed by guitar, Lead singing of Bob Nolan, backed by guitar,

fiddle, and bassfiddle, and bass The recording opens with the guitar and The recording opens with the guitar and

fiddle, playing the basic “hook” of the fiddle, playing the basic “hook” of the song (“cool, clear water”). song (“cool, clear water”).

Listening: “Cool Water”Listening: “Cool Water”

The song’s structure is strophic.The song’s structure is strophic.– Series of verses, each consisting of a solo line Series of verses, each consisting of a solo line

sung by Nolan and a response from the triosung by Nolan and a response from the trio A repeated chorus, sung in unison by the A repeated chorus, sung in unison by the

three men.three men. Example of musical craftsmanship—Example of musical craftsmanship—

songwriting, arrangement, and studio songwriting, arrangement, and studio recording are brought together with the recording are brought together with the imagery derived from Hollywood to create imagery derived from Hollywood to create something that is more than just a song. something that is more than just a song.

Listening: “Cool Water”Listening: “Cool Water”VERSE 1VERSE 1SOLO: All day I’ve faced a barren waste without the taste of SOLO: All day I’ve faced a barren waste without the taste of

waterwaterTRIO: Cool waterTRIO: Cool waterSOLO: Old Dan and I with throats burned dry and souls that SOLO: Old Dan and I with throats burned dry and souls that

cry for watercry for waterTRIO: Cool clear waterTRIO: Cool clear water

ChorusChorusKeep a’movin,’ Dan, don’t you listen to him, Dan, he’s a devil Keep a’movin,’ Dan, don’t you listen to him, Dan, he’s a devil

not anot aman, and he spreads the burning sand with waterman, and he spreads the burning sand with waterDan, can you see that big green tree where the water’s Dan, can you see that big green tree where the water’s

runnin’ free and runnin’ free and it’s waitin’ there for me and you?it’s waitin’ there for me and you?

Listening: “Cool Water”Listening: “Cool Water” Verse 2Verse 2 SOLO: SOLO: The nights are cool and I’m a fool, each star’s a pool of The nights are cool and I’m a fool, each star’s a pool of

waterwater TRIO: TRIO: Cool waterCool water SOLO: SOLO: But with the dawn I’ll wake and yawn and carry on to waterBut with the dawn I’ll wake and yawn and carry on to water TRIO: TRIO: Cool, clear waterCool, clear water ChorusChorus Verse 3Verse 3 SOLO: SOLO: The shadows sway and seem to say, “Tonight we’ll pray for The shadows sway and seem to say, “Tonight we’ll pray for

water”water” TRIO: TRIO: Cool waterCool water SOLO: SOLO: And way up there He’ll hear our prayer and show us where And way up there He’ll hear our prayer and show us where

there’s waterthere’s water TRIO: TRIO: Cool, clear waterCool, clear water ChorusChorus SOLO FALSETTO VOICE: SOLO FALSETTO VOICE: Cool, clear water…Cool, clear water…

Western Swing Western Swing

Blended the country string band with Blended the country string band with blues and jazzblues and jazz

Developed in Texas and accordingly Developed in Texas and accordingly reflected that state’s diverse musical reflected that state’s diverse musical traditionstraditions

Bob Wills (1905–75)Bob Wills (1905–75)

The seminal figure in the national The seminal figure in the national popularization of western swingpopularization of western swing

A fiddler from East Texas whose A fiddler from East Texas whose musical career ran from the 1920s musical career ran from the 1920s through the 1960s through the 1960s

Raised in a family of fiddle players, Raised in a family of fiddle players, Wills played with several dance Wills played with several dance bands in the Southwest before bands in the Southwest before forming his own group, the Texas forming his own group, the Texas Playboys, in 1934.Playboys, in 1934.

The Texas PlayboysThe Texas Playboys

During the late 1930s, the band During the late 1930s, the band established itself in Tulsa, established itself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, making daily radio Oklahoma, making daily radio appearances, playing nightly in a appearances, playing nightly in a local ballroom and going on tours of local ballroom and going on tours of the “southwest territories.”the “southwest territories.”

In 1943, after being discharged In 1943, after being discharged from the army, Bob Wills relocated from the army, Bob Wills relocated to California. to California.

The Texas PlayboysThe Texas Playboys

The heart of the Texas Playboys’ The heart of the Texas Playboys’ style was southern string band style was southern string band music.music.– Old fiddle tunes and other types of Old fiddle tunes and other types of

dance songs dance songs – Combined with elements from big-band Combined with elements from big-band

swing, including call-and-response riffs, swing, including call-and-response riffs, and instruments such as trumpets, and instruments such as trumpets, saxophones, and the drum setsaxophones, and the drum set

Listening: “New San Antonio Listening: “New San Antonio Rose”Rose”

Written by Bob Wills, performed by Written by Bob Wills, performed by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, recorded in 1940recorded in 1940

The Texas Playboys’ biggest hit The Texas Playboys’ biggest hit – A country bestseller; reached Number A country bestseller; reached Number

Eleven on the pop charts in 1940Eleven on the pop charts in 1940 The performance exemplifies the The performance exemplifies the

unique blend of stylistic elements unique blend of stylistic elements achieved by Wills.achieved by Wills.

Listening: “New San Antonio Listening: “New San Antonio Rose”Rose”

AABA, thirty-two-bar formAABA, thirty-two-bar form Introduction Introduction

– Big-band swing soundBig-band swing sound ““A” Section A” Section

– Played twice by the trumpets and Played twice by the trumpets and saxophones while the rhythm section saxophones while the rhythm section maintains a bouncy dance rhythm maintains a bouncy dance rhythm

Listening: “New San Antonio Listening: “New San Antonio Rose”Rose”

Vocal sectionVocal section– The vocal takes us through the entire thirty-The vocal takes us through the entire thirty-

two-bar AABA structure of the song.two-bar AABA structure of the song.– Duncan’s singing is supported with soft Duncan’s singing is supported with soft

harmonies in the brass and reeds.harmonies in the brass and reeds.– Occasionally interrupted by Wills’s trademark Occasionally interrupted by Wills’s trademark

vocal interjectionsvocal interjections ““B” section B” section

– Trumpet duet in the style of a Mexican Trumpet duet in the style of a Mexican mariachi bandmariachi band

““A” section A” section – Concludes the arrangement; a saxophone soli Concludes the arrangement; a saxophone soli

statement of the “A” section statement of the “A” section

Western SwingWestern Swing

Exerted a permanent influence on Exerted a permanent influence on country music after World War IIcountry music after World War II

Introduction of amplified steel guitar Introduction of amplified steel guitar and drum setand drum set

The incorporation of African American and The incorporation of African American and Latin American musical influencesLatin American musical influences

The emphasis placed in live performances The emphasis placed in live performances on improvised instrumental solos (called on improvised instrumental solos (called “takeoffs”)“takeoffs”)