If you have been to a shopping mall on, at least, one occasion, you know the tremendous crowds that most of them attract daily. Hundreds, and even thousands, of daily shoppers flock to the largest shopping malls.
And, while most malls have large crowds year round, two of their busiest shopping periods are during summer and Christmas seasons, which adds even more potential mall shoppers.
Also, most people tend to, naturally, shop in their own neighborhood malls in the interest of convenience and saving time.
And, there is an entirely different crowd that frequents malls during summers, and that is the one that desires to stay cool for free while reducing its home cooling bills.
But, while the mall itself is a large crowd attraction overall, a number of its stores are even more attractive with consistent repeat customers. Such stores include; hair salons, sports stores, game stores, clothing stores, eye clinics, nail salons, music stores, restaurants, just to cite a few.
And, while you may feel that the only stores your music is likely to have anything in common with are mall music stores, here is an idea on how you can get other unrelated mall stores working with you in increasing your gig audience as well.
First, for maximum effect in increasing each gig's audience, select the mall that is closest to your upcoming gig.
Next, approach various store managers in the mall with the proposition of a "barter" deal, whereby, through a co-promotion, you agree to distribute fliers at your gigs that include their store coupons, discounts or ads in exchange for their placing your band's promotional fliers on their checkout counters for their customers (this will, obviously, involve your creation of two separate fliers).
Flyer #1:
Flyer #1 will be your normal flyer (you do have one, right?) that you use to promote your gigs. Again, this will be a
group of your fliers (say, 50, or so) that is left with each store.
Flyer #2:
Flyer #2 is the flyer that you will use that contains your various stores' coupons that you will distribute at your area gig.
In creating this particular flyer, if each store can provide you with a discount coupon, this is great as you can then take the coupons and photocopy them onto a master sheet, then easily make copies from the master sheet.
If some stores agree to the co-promotion, but do not have discount coupons, have them provide you with a business card with a special notice or symbol on it which you will photocopy on the flyer, and which store personnel can identify as the co-promotion campaign when a customer brings one in.
If, for whatever reason this will not work, ask the store manager if you can create a simple design on computer with your band name and the store name, along with any discount the store wishes to present. The store will also likely wish to approve your design before you distribute it.
While the preceding may sound like a bit of effort initially, keep in mind that this is not a one-time deal, but is to be an ongoing relationship with the store since you will likely play in the area again and, therefore, is worth this small investment of time and task.
Also, at such office supply stores such as Staples and Office Max, you can usually get copies at a nominal cost, from two to seven cents per copy.
Now, consider the possible increase of your audience over a short time period if you can:
* Get an agreement with ten stores in any given mall
* Distribute 50-100 fliers to each mall store
* Pass out 50-100 store coupon fliers at each gig
* Multiply this process by five area malls
Then, repeat the entire process.
Special Note: Approach stores for co-promotion *only* after you have obtained permission from each upcoming gig management to distribute such a co-promotion sponsorship flyer in the gig venue.
Doing so, in advance, will save any unnecessary time and effort should the venue not approve later.
Friday, December 1, 2006
Finding the Right Headphone for You
Interested in listening to something privately? You'll want to use head phones. Here's how to find the best one for you. Headphones come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and types. This article will briefly describe some of those qualities so that you know how to get the best one for you.
First, you can choose your headphones by brand. Several of best brands on the market today include Shure, Sennheiser, Iawa, and Koss. Other names you might be familiar with include Maxell, Phillips, AKG, Logitech and Sony. When shopping around, be aware that price should not be the only indicator of quality (therefore, don't assume that the higher the price, the better the quality)...however, generally speaking, price is often a fairly good indicator of quality. With the above brands, we've highlighted some of the best names for you and you can probably expect to pay a little more for their headphones.
Another way to help you decide how to choose headphones is by the style. There are a few different styles and they can go by different names. Circumaural headphones have a padding that go all the way around your ears. Although not always the case, circumaural head phones are usually closed back headphones which means they are designed to suppress outside noise, giving you the very best audio sound. A combination of the padding and special circuitry and vibrations within the headphone casing keep noise out...and keep noise from getting out. Even circumaural head phones that aren't noise canceling are among the very best in sound quality. The only problem is that they can be fairly heavy and cumbersome...not something you want to take with you on the bus. As well, some of them are powerful enough to require their own amplifier! That means you won't be able to use them for portable purposes.
Supra-aural headphones are the kind that go over your ears with fairly flat padding that mashes over most or all of your ear. These may suppress some noise, but not all and they let some sound out. While good quality and durable, they are often one of the cheaper kinds of headphones. Some people find these good for traveling because they can slip on and off your ears when you need them to, and the over-the-head band allows you to put them around your neck when not in use. For many years, these were the type of head phones that you saw someone wearing. Today, many supra-aural headphones simply clip over the ears without having an over-the-head band.
Earbuds and canalphones. Earbuds are a type of headphone that fit into the ear while canalphones fit into your ear but are able to go in farther. In terms of expense, earbuds are closer in quality and price to supra-aural headphones. Canalphones are a little more expensive but also are a better quality and help to keep exterior noise out. Although earbuds appear to block exterior noise, they don't always while canalphones do a better job of deadening noise coming into the ear canal. One of the biggest complaints about earbuds and canalphones is their ability to get lost or to cause pain if there were suddenly ripped out of your ear in a mishap.
First, you can choose your headphones by brand. Several of best brands on the market today include Shure, Sennheiser, Iawa, and Koss. Other names you might be familiar with include Maxell, Phillips, AKG, Logitech and Sony. When shopping around, be aware that price should not be the only indicator of quality (therefore, don't assume that the higher the price, the better the quality)...however, generally speaking, price is often a fairly good indicator of quality. With the above brands, we've highlighted some of the best names for you and you can probably expect to pay a little more for their headphones.
Another way to help you decide how to choose headphones is by the style. There are a few different styles and they can go by different names. Circumaural headphones have a padding that go all the way around your ears. Although not always the case, circumaural head phones are usually closed back headphones which means they are designed to suppress outside noise, giving you the very best audio sound. A combination of the padding and special circuitry and vibrations within the headphone casing keep noise out...and keep noise from getting out. Even circumaural head phones that aren't noise canceling are among the very best in sound quality. The only problem is that they can be fairly heavy and cumbersome...not something you want to take with you on the bus. As well, some of them are powerful enough to require their own amplifier! That means you won't be able to use them for portable purposes.
Supra-aural headphones are the kind that go over your ears with fairly flat padding that mashes over most or all of your ear. These may suppress some noise, but not all and they let some sound out. While good quality and durable, they are often one of the cheaper kinds of headphones. Some people find these good for traveling because they can slip on and off your ears when you need them to, and the over-the-head band allows you to put them around your neck when not in use. For many years, these were the type of head phones that you saw someone wearing. Today, many supra-aural headphones simply clip over the ears without having an over-the-head band.
Earbuds and canalphones. Earbuds are a type of headphone that fit into the ear while canalphones fit into your ear but are able to go in farther. In terms of expense, earbuds are closer in quality and price to supra-aural headphones. Canalphones are a little more expensive but also are a better quality and help to keep exterior noise out. Although earbuds appear to block exterior noise, they don't always while canalphones do a better job of deadening noise coming into the ear canal. One of the biggest complaints about earbuds and canalphones is their ability to get lost or to cause pain if there were suddenly ripped out of your ear in a mishap.
So You Want to be President Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
President Harry S. Truman, the man in the White House when the United States intervened on behalf of the millions of innocent people who were being displaced and massacred by Hitler's Nazi Germany, claimed to have practiced his piano lessons for two hours every morning during his childhood. Likewise, President Warren Harding was said to be able to play every instrument except the trombone and the clarinet. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) played the organ. Of course we all remember President Clinton and his saxophone, but did you know that President Nixon was an accomplished pianist?
And more recently a girl who was a musician long before she became an academic and then a world-famous diplomat, our own globetrotting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a very accomplished classical pianist. As she was growing up in the Rice home music was a family affair, and as early as age 3 Condi played piano at family gatherings. Her Dad was a minister and she often accompanied her organist Mother in church. The name "Condoleezza" is from the Italian phrase con dolcezza, which refers to playing music "with sweetness." While other kids in her neighorhood were playing outdoors, she was more likely to be found practicing the piano or reading a book.
The list goes on, but the real question is why do people with musical training tend to achieve more in life? There are differing theories about that, but studies have shown a direct correlation between music and the brain's ability to adapt to the world around it. One such test showed that people that had listened to just ten minutes of Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major" and then took a spatio-temporal reasoning test (which is a part of a standardized intelligence test) scored 48% higher than the control group while a second study done at the University of California, Irvine on what has been called the "Mozart Effect" shows a increased IQ score of nine points.
In another study the Bulgarian psychologist George Lozanov discovered that playing Baroque instrumental music in the background had a profound effect on student's ability to learn and retain a foreign language. The key is that highly structured, highly organized music seems to help the human brain to function in a more organized and efficient manner while further studies have shown that discordant music actually has a negative effect on the brain.
Studying music is the perfect way to derive its benefits. At least one study has shown that young children can gain the spatio-temporal reasoning effects mentioned above just by learning to play the piano or organ. Likewise, through the study of music we have the discipline of practice to expose us to great music regardless of our age. Besides for the effect of the music, studying music teaches discipline and the relationship between hard work and reward and there is little in life more rewarding than to hear beautiful music coming forth as a result of one's own effort.
"Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them; a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music." Gerald Ford, former President, United States of America.
And more recently a girl who was a musician long before she became an academic and then a world-famous diplomat, our own globetrotting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a very accomplished classical pianist. As she was growing up in the Rice home music was a family affair, and as early as age 3 Condi played piano at family gatherings. Her Dad was a minister and she often accompanied her organist Mother in church. The name "Condoleezza" is from the Italian phrase con dolcezza, which refers to playing music "with sweetness." While other kids in her neighorhood were playing outdoors, she was more likely to be found practicing the piano or reading a book.
The list goes on, but the real question is why do people with musical training tend to achieve more in life? There are differing theories about that, but studies have shown a direct correlation between music and the brain's ability to adapt to the world around it. One such test showed that people that had listened to just ten minutes of Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major" and then took a spatio-temporal reasoning test (which is a part of a standardized intelligence test) scored 48% higher than the control group while a second study done at the University of California, Irvine on what has been called the "Mozart Effect" shows a increased IQ score of nine points.
In another study the Bulgarian psychologist George Lozanov discovered that playing Baroque instrumental music in the background had a profound effect on student's ability to learn and retain a foreign language. The key is that highly structured, highly organized music seems to help the human brain to function in a more organized and efficient manner while further studies have shown that discordant music actually has a negative effect on the brain.
Studying music is the perfect way to derive its benefits. At least one study has shown that young children can gain the spatio-temporal reasoning effects mentioned above just by learning to play the piano or organ. Likewise, through the study of music we have the discipline of practice to expose us to great music regardless of our age. Besides for the effect of the music, studying music teaches discipline and the relationship between hard work and reward and there is little in life more rewarding than to hear beautiful music coming forth as a result of one's own effort.
"Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them; a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music." Gerald Ford, former President, United States of America.
New Red Hot Chili Peppers CD Sizzles
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a band that has transcended the scope of pop culture , adapting to new trends while still maintaining their original funk-based style. Playing music for nearly two decades, the Chili Peppers show an unrepentant strength on their new album.
Dubbed "Stadium Arcadium", the new Red Hot Chili Peppers release is a double-disc powerhouse that fully showcases the range of this classic band. Totaling 28 tracks, there is something for every Peppers fan, from those who rocked to One Hot Minute in the early 90s to the new fan-base they have gained through such recent releases as By The Way. You can get a sense of the hormone-fueled music that was a Chili Peppers trademark in their formative years in such tracks as Warlocks and Storm In A Teacup. The bass lines laid out by Flea help to form cohesion to the CD, with John Frusciante fully tuned in and never disappointing with the guitar work. Anthony Kiedis' vocals remain on-point and can evoke powerful emotions, even though the stereotypical Chili Peppers non-sensical lyrics are as prevalent as ever. More recent Chili Peppers fans will be happy to know that the CD has plenty of the mellow, laid back Californication-esque tracks. Dani California, Tell Me Baby, and Wet Sand are some of the songs on this album that we will be hearing for years to come.
Are there any problems with the CD? Sure. There isn't too much of a coherent flow amongst the discs, and you may find yourself skipping around between tracks to satisfy what mood you are in. While tracks like Snow are upbeat and energetic, the album drags you through melancholy in some of the slower songs such as Strip My Mind. You can tell that the band is dabbling outside of their comfort zone at several points in the CD, with songs such as Snow having an almost foreign feel, while still unmistakably being a Chili Peppers tune.
All in all, I would highly recommend purchasing the new album. It has something for everyone, and with 28 tracks you'll be hard pressed to not find at least 3 or 4 songs that will stay with you. Aside from some slight problems with the flow of the CD and the fact that a few tracks that could've been best saved for a B-side, Stadium Arcadium is a record that will not be soon forgotten.
Dubbed "Stadium Arcadium", the new Red Hot Chili Peppers release is a double-disc powerhouse that fully showcases the range of this classic band. Totaling 28 tracks, there is something for every Peppers fan, from those who rocked to One Hot Minute in the early 90s to the new fan-base they have gained through such recent releases as By The Way. You can get a sense of the hormone-fueled music that was a Chili Peppers trademark in their formative years in such tracks as Warlocks and Storm In A Teacup. The bass lines laid out by Flea help to form cohesion to the CD, with John Frusciante fully tuned in and never disappointing with the guitar work. Anthony Kiedis' vocals remain on-point and can evoke powerful emotions, even though the stereotypical Chili Peppers non-sensical lyrics are as prevalent as ever. More recent Chili Peppers fans will be happy to know that the CD has plenty of the mellow, laid back Californication-esque tracks. Dani California, Tell Me Baby, and Wet Sand are some of the songs on this album that we will be hearing for years to come.
Are there any problems with the CD? Sure. There isn't too much of a coherent flow amongst the discs, and you may find yourself skipping around between tracks to satisfy what mood you are in. While tracks like Snow are upbeat and energetic, the album drags you through melancholy in some of the slower songs such as Strip My Mind. You can tell that the band is dabbling outside of their comfort zone at several points in the CD, with songs such as Snow having an almost foreign feel, while still unmistakably being a Chili Peppers tune.
All in all, I would highly recommend purchasing the new album. It has something for everyone, and with 28 tracks you'll be hard pressed to not find at least 3 or 4 songs that will stay with you. Aside from some slight problems with the flow of the CD and the fact that a few tracks that could've been best saved for a B-side, Stadium Arcadium is a record that will not be soon forgotten.
Power Words How to Make Your Song Lyrics Stronger
All songwriters struggle with their lyrics to their songs from time to time. It's one of the "hazards" of the trade. And many times we settle for words that aren't what we mean or don't carry enough punch. Even songwriters whose strength is their lyrics don't always take the proper amount of time to choose their words carefully.
The solution to this problem is to use words I call "power words". These are words that instantly paint a picture the moment you hear them. They are words that demand your attention and make you sit up and take notice. They are the words that make your song more than just ordinary. And isn't that what we all strive for?
Power words are words that are meant to inspire whether it is the songwriter coaxing the muse out of the closet or the listener placing a new release in the CD player. They are the words that make your song stand out from the pack. (Of course, this applies to other styles of writing as well whether you write poetry, fiction or even non-fiction. There is always a place for power words in any writing style.)
Power words convey strength and character. They are usually nouns, but can also be adjectives or adverbs. If you were using power words to describe a person, these would be words like radiant, robust, dashing, charming and charismatic. Power words, however, don't need to be positive words. Descriptive words like monster, shocking, gruesome and hellish are also power words.
Words like "beautiful" or "ugly" aren't power words in my dictionary of songwriting definitions. Which sounds better: "she's beautiful" or "she's enchanting"? Enchanting, of course, is a much better choice. It says so much more. And "he's grungy" or "he's grotesque" is more powerful than "he's ugly".
A good definition of a "power word" is a word that when written, read, spoken or heard immediately suggests something extraordinary. They are words that startle or inspire or make you vividly see something.
Magic, for example, is a power word. When you hear the word it is like, well... "magic". No doubt about it. A word like refrigerator is not a power word. Castle, crystal, heaven, hurricane, guillotine and vagabond are all power words. Lawnmower, microwave, garage, doorknob and pencil are not. See the difference? Now I'm not saying you couldn't write a song about a lawnmower or a pencil, but they certainly aren't power words.
Fill your songs (or your poetry or short story or novel) with power words and good, original metaphors. Paint images as if you were an artist putting brush to canvas. You are not simply picking words at random. You are painting with words. Don't settle for a two dollar word when there's a hundred dollar gem waiting for you to discover it.
You can also use power words in a free association exercise to create your next song. It's simple.
Take a blank sheet of paper and jot down several power words at random around the page. Next add a few solid, descriptive verbs. (By this we mean to use verbs like "soar" instead of "fly" or "screamed" in place of "said".) Add a few adjectives and/or adverbs on the page and, presto, you have the beginnings of your next song. Take a good look at the sheet of paper and draw connecting lines between words that seem to go together. You might be surprised at what you can come up with using this simple exercise.
Power words are the foundation for your songs. Use them as much as you can. Make them part of your title and/or hook so that your song gets noticed. Read through your finished lyrics and replace weak words. Don't be afraid to use a thesaurus. It's not against the rules of songwriting. After all, there are no rules in songwriting!
Sit down with pen in hand and create your own "power word" list. It doesn't matter if you're trying to write a song or not. Keep these words and ideas in your notebook. If you don't have a notebook, you should. Keep it handy at all times. You never know when you might require a title or hook for a song you'll be creating weeks, months or even years from now.
(Power words also make great names for bands, musical groups or titles for your next CD!)
The solution to this problem is to use words I call "power words". These are words that instantly paint a picture the moment you hear them. They are words that demand your attention and make you sit up and take notice. They are the words that make your song more than just ordinary. And isn't that what we all strive for?
Power words are words that are meant to inspire whether it is the songwriter coaxing the muse out of the closet or the listener placing a new release in the CD player. They are the words that make your song stand out from the pack. (Of course, this applies to other styles of writing as well whether you write poetry, fiction or even non-fiction. There is always a place for power words in any writing style.)
Power words convey strength and character. They are usually nouns, but can also be adjectives or adverbs. If you were using power words to describe a person, these would be words like radiant, robust, dashing, charming and charismatic. Power words, however, don't need to be positive words. Descriptive words like monster, shocking, gruesome and hellish are also power words.
Words like "beautiful" or "ugly" aren't power words in my dictionary of songwriting definitions. Which sounds better: "she's beautiful" or "she's enchanting"? Enchanting, of course, is a much better choice. It says so much more. And "he's grungy" or "he's grotesque" is more powerful than "he's ugly".
A good definition of a "power word" is a word that when written, read, spoken or heard immediately suggests something extraordinary. They are words that startle or inspire or make you vividly see something.
Magic, for example, is a power word. When you hear the word it is like, well... "magic". No doubt about it. A word like refrigerator is not a power word. Castle, crystal, heaven, hurricane, guillotine and vagabond are all power words. Lawnmower, microwave, garage, doorknob and pencil are not. See the difference? Now I'm not saying you couldn't write a song about a lawnmower or a pencil, but they certainly aren't power words.
Fill your songs (or your poetry or short story or novel) with power words and good, original metaphors. Paint images as if you were an artist putting brush to canvas. You are not simply picking words at random. You are painting with words. Don't settle for a two dollar word when there's a hundred dollar gem waiting for you to discover it.
You can also use power words in a free association exercise to create your next song. It's simple.
Take a blank sheet of paper and jot down several power words at random around the page. Next add a few solid, descriptive verbs. (By this we mean to use verbs like "soar" instead of "fly" or "screamed" in place of "said".) Add a few adjectives and/or adverbs on the page and, presto, you have the beginnings of your next song. Take a good look at the sheet of paper and draw connecting lines between words that seem to go together. You might be surprised at what you can come up with using this simple exercise.
Power words are the foundation for your songs. Use them as much as you can. Make them part of your title and/or hook so that your song gets noticed. Read through your finished lyrics and replace weak words. Don't be afraid to use a thesaurus. It's not against the rules of songwriting. After all, there are no rules in songwriting!
Sit down with pen in hand and create your own "power word" list. It doesn't matter if you're trying to write a song or not. Keep these words and ideas in your notebook. If you don't have a notebook, you should. Keep it handy at all times. You never know when you might require a title or hook for a song you'll be creating weeks, months or even years from now.
(Power words also make great names for bands, musical groups or titles for your next CD!)
Country Music The Sound of Music
Country music (also known as country and western music or just country western), is a blend of popular Southern US musical. With its roots deeply set in folk music, Celtic tunes, blues, and gospel music it evolved rapidly in the 1920s. The term Country Music began to be commonly used in the 1940s and was fully accepted and embraced by the mass in the 1970s, while the use of terms like country and western declined. However, country music is actually a one-size-fits-all category that embraces several different genres of music like the Nashville sound, bluegrass, a fast mandolin, banjo and fiddle-based music popularized by Bill Monroe and by Flatt and Scruggs; Western, which encompasses traditional Western cowboy campfire ballads and Hollywood cowboy music made famous by Roy Rogers, The Sons of the Pioneers, and Gene Autry the list can go on forever.
Whatever be the style, each is unique in its execution, its structural chord and its use of rhythms and many songs have been adapted to the different country styles and cater to different tastes and palates. One example of one tune used by many in different styles is the tune Milk Cow Blues, an early blues tune by Kokomo Arnold that has been performed in a wide variety of country styles by everyone from Aerosmith to Bob Wills to Willie Nelson, George Strait to Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley.
In the 80 plus years of country music history, the chords, sound and style has changed dramatically, at least in some respects. In its infant years, it was the honky-tonk sound from the likes of Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams that made up the genre of country music. It was a crowd puller in roadside pubs and meeting houses throughout Oklahoma and Texas that were packed every Friday and Saturday evening with fans and curiosity seekers alike, anxious to listen to the fast-rising sounds of steel guitars and drums. Those pubs were popular not just for the latest craze in American music, but the repeal of prohibition in 1933 also relaxed the minds of many when it came to public drinking; now the audiences could enjoy their favorite music and alcoholic beverages at the same time.
Although Tubb and Williams had their share of popularity with the honky-tonk tune, it was Al Dexter who cut the first label with the words honky-tonk in 1936. Tubb's single, Walking the Floor Over You, released in 1941, would go on to sell more than one million copies quite a feat in any form of music even now. Your Cheatin Heart, cut by Williams in 1953, is perhaps one of the best-known records of the honky-tonk era. It was not his only hit though; in his lifetime Williams went on to record more than one hundred songs.
While honky-tonks were filled with its fans, theatres were filled with fans of the cowboy songs made popular, again, in Texas and Oklahoma. The often-romanticized and thrilling life of the cowboy; heroic but lonely, drifting, fit in perfectly with this style of music that took its sound from the hills of Tennessee and the bayous of Louisiana. Those days, more often than not at least one part of the western song would include a lonesome whistle from the flute or other mellow sounding wind instrument. This went on to be known as the country western style.
Some of those famous for this western style were Gene Autry, Americas singing cowboy, and Roy Rogers, who later teamed with wife Dale Evans to become a famous due of the genre. Rogers also had been a part of The Sons of the Pioneers, a band that brought the frontier sound to over 80 westerns between 1935-1948.
Mix n Match of these styles always resulted in something interesting. Country music morphed once again in the early 1950s with a sound that became known as rockabilly a mix of the southern hills music and the blues. This sound was made popular by many performers who developed staying power in the country music industry. They include the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Carl Perkins, and, of course, the king himself Elvis Presley.
This form of country, with its faster paced sound and constant rhythm, quickly worked its way up the record charts as Americans, too, found themselves living a lifestyle that was a much quicker pace than the generation of their parents.
Today country music is perhaps at its highest peak of popularity the road to success paved by Cline, Tubbs, Williams, Wells, and others is now treaded upon by mega-stars like Garth Brooks, the team of Brooks and Dunn, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, and dozens of others who are quoted with their thanks and gratitude to the pioneers of the sound of country music. The Sound of Music goes on and on.
Whatever be the style, each is unique in its execution, its structural chord and its use of rhythms and many songs have been adapted to the different country styles and cater to different tastes and palates. One example of one tune used by many in different styles is the tune Milk Cow Blues, an early blues tune by Kokomo Arnold that has been performed in a wide variety of country styles by everyone from Aerosmith to Bob Wills to Willie Nelson, George Strait to Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley.
In the 80 plus years of country music history, the chords, sound and style has changed dramatically, at least in some respects. In its infant years, it was the honky-tonk sound from the likes of Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams that made up the genre of country music. It was a crowd puller in roadside pubs and meeting houses throughout Oklahoma and Texas that were packed every Friday and Saturday evening with fans and curiosity seekers alike, anxious to listen to the fast-rising sounds of steel guitars and drums. Those pubs were popular not just for the latest craze in American music, but the repeal of prohibition in 1933 also relaxed the minds of many when it came to public drinking; now the audiences could enjoy their favorite music and alcoholic beverages at the same time.
Although Tubb and Williams had their share of popularity with the honky-tonk tune, it was Al Dexter who cut the first label with the words honky-tonk in 1936. Tubb's single, Walking the Floor Over You, released in 1941, would go on to sell more than one million copies quite a feat in any form of music even now. Your Cheatin Heart, cut by Williams in 1953, is perhaps one of the best-known records of the honky-tonk era. It was not his only hit though; in his lifetime Williams went on to record more than one hundred songs.
While honky-tonks were filled with its fans, theatres were filled with fans of the cowboy songs made popular, again, in Texas and Oklahoma. The often-romanticized and thrilling life of the cowboy; heroic but lonely, drifting, fit in perfectly with this style of music that took its sound from the hills of Tennessee and the bayous of Louisiana. Those days, more often than not at least one part of the western song would include a lonesome whistle from the flute or other mellow sounding wind instrument. This went on to be known as the country western style.
Some of those famous for this western style were Gene Autry, Americas singing cowboy, and Roy Rogers, who later teamed with wife Dale Evans to become a famous due of the genre. Rogers also had been a part of The Sons of the Pioneers, a band that brought the frontier sound to over 80 westerns between 1935-1948.
Mix n Match of these styles always resulted in something interesting. Country music morphed once again in the early 1950s with a sound that became known as rockabilly a mix of the southern hills music and the blues. This sound was made popular by many performers who developed staying power in the country music industry. They include the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Carl Perkins, and, of course, the king himself Elvis Presley.
This form of country, with its faster paced sound and constant rhythm, quickly worked its way up the record charts as Americans, too, found themselves living a lifestyle that was a much quicker pace than the generation of their parents.
Today country music is perhaps at its highest peak of popularity the road to success paved by Cline, Tubbs, Williams, Wells, and others is now treaded upon by mega-stars like Garth Brooks, the team of Brooks and Dunn, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, and dozens of others who are quoted with their thanks and gratitude to the pioneers of the sound of country music. The Sound of Music goes on and on.
Rock Music on the Rocks
Rock is a popular form of music from the mid 20th century which typically features a vocal melody that is supported by accompaniment of electric guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, often with a strong back beat. Keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, or synthesizers are often used in many types of rock music. While brass and woodwind instruments, such as saxophone were common in some styles in earlier development of rock, they are less common in the newer subgenres of rock music since the 1990s.
Rock 'n' Roll started off in the early-to-mid 1950s in the United States of America. African-American artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Fats Domino played predominantly to African American crowds. While these key early rockers were indisposed to racism, local authorities and dance halls were very much divided upon racial lines. Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and the Comets, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash often toured and played together in dance halls and clubs across the US and Britain.
A major formative influence on rock was rock and roll, and rockabilly. In the 1960s, as British rock developed, the term rock music became popular. With the British Invasion this rerevitalized musical style spread back to the United States, and became an international cultural phenomenon with considerable social impact. Rock has evolved into a multitude of highly varying styles with widespread popularity.
Rock and Roll came from a fusion of musical cultures, and in turn its influence fed back to these cultures, a process of borrowings, influences that continues to develop rock music. Rock n Roll had runaway success in the U.S. and brought rhythm and blues influenced music to an international audience. Its success led to a dilution of the meaning of the term rock and roll, as promoters and record companies were quick to attach the label to other commercial pop.
The biggest factor that has contributed to the resurgence of rock music is the rise of paid digital downloads in the 2000s. During the 90s, the importance of the buyable music single faded when Billboard allowed singles without buyable, album-separate versions to enter its Hot 100 chart (charting only with radio airplay).
It is interesting to note that nearly all of the best selling albums of all time are still rock. In many other nations, such as the UK and Australia, rock figures much more prominently in album sales than in the US. Rap and hip hop, although popular in those nations, are not as dominant as in the USA. American bands like The White Stripes and The Killers have more success in the UK than in the USA, and British bands such as The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, Coldplay, Oasis, and Arctic Monkeys are still the UK's biggest selling artists. Nowadays, Emo, a marginal genre, is arguably growing in popularity in the UK. Nothing gives a high to the music lovers than to head-thump on the beat of rock and literally get rocked.
Rock 'n' Roll started off in the early-to-mid 1950s in the United States of America. African-American artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Fats Domino played predominantly to African American crowds. While these key early rockers were indisposed to racism, local authorities and dance halls were very much divided upon racial lines. Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and the Comets, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash often toured and played together in dance halls and clubs across the US and Britain.
A major formative influence on rock was rock and roll, and rockabilly. In the 1960s, as British rock developed, the term rock music became popular. With the British Invasion this rerevitalized musical style spread back to the United States, and became an international cultural phenomenon with considerable social impact. Rock has evolved into a multitude of highly varying styles with widespread popularity.
Rock and Roll came from a fusion of musical cultures, and in turn its influence fed back to these cultures, a process of borrowings, influences that continues to develop rock music. Rock n Roll had runaway success in the U.S. and brought rhythm and blues influenced music to an international audience. Its success led to a dilution of the meaning of the term rock and roll, as promoters and record companies were quick to attach the label to other commercial pop.
The biggest factor that has contributed to the resurgence of rock music is the rise of paid digital downloads in the 2000s. During the 90s, the importance of the buyable music single faded when Billboard allowed singles without buyable, album-separate versions to enter its Hot 100 chart (charting only with radio airplay).
It is interesting to note that nearly all of the best selling albums of all time are still rock. In many other nations, such as the UK and Australia, rock figures much more prominently in album sales than in the US. Rap and hip hop, although popular in those nations, are not as dominant as in the USA. American bands like The White Stripes and The Killers have more success in the UK than in the USA, and British bands such as The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, Coldplay, Oasis, and Arctic Monkeys are still the UK's biggest selling artists. Nowadays, Emo, a marginal genre, is arguably growing in popularity in the UK. Nothing gives a high to the music lovers than to head-thump on the beat of rock and literally get rocked.
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