Lawson Bates Research Paper

As a young Texan boy Chris always wanted to grow up and be a cowboy. That was his passion and he felt that was what he wanted to do in his life. Although years later when he was in his thirties he felt

always been what we recognize it as today. Country music began in the 1920’s in a town in Tennessee called Bristol and was recognized for its hillbilly and folk format. Country music artists like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis are each responsible for creating this music format that was written mostly about everyday life. Today country music is recognized as a more modern contemporary version of music. Today’s country artists have started to change their sound in order to appeal to the mainstream audience in order to make more money. Miranda Lambert said “there’s been a shift: country music is popular now. Every other genre wants to come over to our land.”

There have been many stars throughout the years in country music. Two of the most iconic are Alan Jackson and George Strait. Alan Jackson hit his peak in the late 90s and early 2000s. He has not been as productive as of 2015, but he is still creating some music. George Strait was most productive in the mid to early 90s and like Alan he is at the end of his career. Country music was dramatically affected by these two and they both did it with class. They always made music that was family friendly and anyone could listen to it.

Even though Hank was pushed/encourages to become a country music performer, he enjoys what he does. In result, he is one of the most well known “rock” country singer. He has several top hits and many awards. Some awards include 4 emmys, 10 #1 singles, 13 #1 albums, 20 gold albums, and 6 platinums. Also, he won a grammy award for best album/track “There’s a tear in My Beer”, which was released in 2002.

Since I was raised in a small, country town in Oklahoma I definitely heard my fair share of country music. For the most part I wasn’t a fan of mainstream country music because it all sounded very similar, in my opinion. I found Blue Grass music or more Folk inspired country music to be more interesting. But when I was offered the opportunity to attend a Jason Aldean concert with a few friends this semester I didn’t want to miss out. I knew what to expect going to a Jason Aldean concert and that was a lot of boots and a lot of pearl snaps, and I was definitely correct. Jason was in Oklahoma on February 5th for his “We Were Here” tour. I had never been to a country music concert before and was looking forward to the new experience.

Country music has proven as a powerful medium to express the views of the contemporary culture. As a result, the lyrical value of such songs provides listeners an insight to the changing climate of social and political ideologies. During the 1960’s defined gender roles dictated social lifestyles and were mimicked in music. In recent years, a resurgence of idealistic, stereotypical gender-specific roles have cropped up in country songs, creating a subgenre labelled “bro-country.” Jody Rosen of the New York Times first coined the term “bro-country” in order to describe songs that use lyrical tools glorifying prevailing, hegemonic gender roles present in culture. Songs such as Tim McGraw’s “How I’ll Always Be,” Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’, Lovin’, Every Day,” Sam Hunt’s “Make you Miss Me,” and Dierks Bently’s “Different for Girls” use the lyrical discourse, under the lens of “bro-country”, to highlight dominant, male gender-specific roles, while simultaneously reinforcing prominent, often negative, views of women.

Since its inception, country music has proven to be? as a powerful outlet to express the view of the contemporary culture. As a result, the lyrical value of such songs provides listeners an insight to the changing climate of social and political ideologies. During the 60’s defined gender roles dominated social lifestyle and was were? mimicked in music. In recent years, a resurgence of idealistic, stereotypical gender-specific roles have cropped up in country songs, creating a subgenre labelled “bro-country.” Jody Rosen of the New York Times first coined the term “bro-country” in order to describe songs that use lyrical tools idealizing dominant, hegemonic gender roles present in culture. Songs such as Tim McGraw’s “How I’ll Always Be,” Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’, Lovin’, Every Day,” Sam Hunt’s “Make you Miss Me,” and Dierks Bently’s “Different for Girls” use the lyrical discourse, under the lens of “bro-country”, to highlight dominant, male gender-specific roles, while simultaneously reinforcing prominent, often negative, views of women.

Robert Davis was an African American man. He was not a “thug,” he was not a “drunk,” he was a retired school teacher from New Orleans who was in his sixties. He was brutally attacked by three police officers. He suffered a broken nose and other broken bones in his face. The incident was recorded and went viral. Davis was arrested but faced no charges. Three police officers were charged but only two went to trial. In the end, two of the police officers were fired — the third never made it to trial because he had committed suicide. Davis was compensated for the assault.

Robert Altman’s movie Nashville is based on the political, social, and personal problems that our country has to deal with. These problems are rooted in the battle between the need to create some false image of success and the need for truth which is the struggle that exists in every character of this film (except Jeff Goldbloom). To show this Robert Altman takes us through Nashville’s Country Music using political commentary, music and realistically portrayed dialogue to tell the story.

him in the process of meeting the right people.  He met with Usher who took him to meet L.A. Reid and

I believe that, much like myself, Grant Wiggins experiences a great deal of internal struggle and confusion when he returns to his home town. I think that he is trying to get over the negative experiences that he had during his childhood in Bayonne by moving

Country music is one of the most popular genres of music throughout America. There are many influential figures that have changed the way country music sounds, and how people interpret it. Two important people who have made a huge impact on country music overtime are Johnny Cash and Luke Bryan. From their early life, their career, and how society views them, they have opened the minds of people and country musicians all over the country. Johnny Cash’s songs help people to experience his life growing up through the Great Depression and how people lived back then. Through Luke Bryan’s songs people could understand what life was like for Luke growing up in Georgia and all the hardships he faced. Johnny Cash and Luke Bryan are two of the many

Regardless of George Strait's incredible history of recognition and awards, he has always been one of my favorite country music artists. I am a true, long time fan of traditional country and I love his style in particular because of the dash of honky tonk and swing music that comes with it. My husband has roots in Texas and we spend quite a bit of time there on vacation. We enjoy the cowboy lifestyle and have always spent our free time enjoying country music, country two step dancing at the dance hall, being outside horseback riding, attending the rodeo, visiting the county fair and enjoying the laid back country life. One day we plan on moving back to Texas permanently and in the meantime, George's music makes us feel at home wherever we are.

In the midst of a time where black Americans were facing extreme ridicule and fighting for their rights, Sam Cooke arose from the Gospel music style and merged into the music known as Soul, a genre that spoke to the socially crumbling nation about peace and civil rights changes. Through his smooth style, velvety voice, handsome appearance, and appeal to black and white audiences alike, Sam Cooke made a difference in the lives of Americans in the 1960s by singing with pure emotion and soul, like in "A Change is Gonna Come." Through this genre’s sincere singing with lyrics full of emotion, a sense of understanding was brought to the people of America about the

With Aldean song ‘The Truth’ and ‘Burnin’ It Down’ some of the songs take you back to traditional country while others are pushing the musical boundaries. Having country singers like Jason Aldean they have provided that they aren’t afraid to take musical risks he has gone from hard-charging country to rock, contemporary and even to hip-hop. After going to this concert and seeing all the different act it showed how much country music has changed. Whether people see it for the better or worse this concert had a mixer a different artist each having their own unique style with their old and new songs you could definitely see how much music had changed. And in my opinion, I think the change it’s for the better. It gives them the chance to break out of the country genre and explore their other