"Music, Music, Music!" Top 5 Page for this destination Tennessee Local Custom Tip by deecat

Note: the photo is really an old poster I had of Elvis as a teenager; yes, I kept it all these years!

Music plays a huge role in the lives of people in Tennessee. The state is rich in musical heritage. In East Tennessee, the first settlers descended from England, Ireland, and Scotland. They brought their traditional music and instruments with them. Because many of these settlers lived in isolation, their ballads were preserved, & their music influenced folk music.

Another type of music popular in Tennessee in the 19th century was religious (gospel) music. The Black community had a strong influence on gospel music.

Also, ballads accompanied by a fiddle were usually heard at country dances. Harmonicas and banjos were also often heard. Thus, Bluegrass is also associated with east Tennessee.

By the time the radio appeared in the 1920s, the folk songs and bluegrass music of East Tennessee were brought to the rest of the country. It was then referred to as "hillbilly" or country music.

In about 1927, the Grand Ole Opry was created and has survived for more than 6 decades! Nashville became known as Music City, USA, & the new studios there created what's known as "the Nashville Sound". Folk and hillybilly were replaced with country western to describe this American music.

Jazz and blues were influenced by African slaves. The Western area of Tennessee was most influenced, especially
Memphis.

Then, along came Elviswho combined styles of country and western with rhythm and blues to come up with a new form of American pop music known as Rock N' Roll!