For my research paper, I had to go into various databases looking for anything that was about my topic. And in this blog post, I have a trial run at a summary of a potential source.
Again, my topic pertains to country musics current identity crisis. My professor suggested that I tailor the question more like this: How has country music historically adapted styles of other genres? Is further adaptation necessary for country music’s continued survival? That way I can include the roots of the music genre and broaden my research searches. So without further ado, here is my summary of a research source:
In the article, “‘Country Comes to Town’: Country Music’s Construction of a New Urban Identity in the 1960’s,” by Jeremy Hill, Hill argues that country music tried to shift its perception from the hillbilly to the city-slicker with little success. Hill bases his research on the ideas of involving urbanity and country music, and how country music looked to capitalize and improve its image with the new association with urbanity. Pulling quotes from letters to the Country Music Association (CMA), Hill shows that what the CMA strove for was not always what was presented. He also takes quotes from interviews with Eddy Arnold and Dave Dudley, who were both singer-songwriters during the 1970’s. Overall, Hills purpose is to show how country music in the 1960’s did not achieve its desired image. All his research shows how country music could not escape its stereotypes and original imagery.
Okay just a couple things that I’ve gotta say here.
- I apologize about using ‘with’ so much. It is a necessary evil.
- The title reminds me of the song, “Country Done Come to Town” by John Rich.
Lastly, I feel that some of what Hill is saying, or said, is true. Country music did try to change its image, but its run-down town does it no favors. Nashville may be the country music capital but it is also a city most try to avoid. Crime, dirtiness, take your pick really. And I’m not just ragging on Nashville, goodness knows there are faults in every city. But I like to think that the efforts of those 1960’s campaigners didn’t go to waste. I’d like to think that there is a hillbilly bone in over half of the people now currently residing in cities. Who knows…. I sure don’t. Let me know what you think. That’s it for today I think. Night all, and see if you have a little country in you. Ya never know… ~V
Sunflowers and Riddles 