What were the views of hillbilly music in the 1900's and why did hillbilly/country music go from being made fun of to being listened to by a variety of people?
The word hillbilly is usually coincides with “vague catchall for rural, mountain-living southerners” (Petrusich 150). The first time the word hillbilly was associated with music was in January of 1925. The Hill Billies were a band that came from North Carolina and Virginia. The view of hillbilly/country music was mostly construed because in cities like New York, people would put on shows that would portray African-American music in a bad manner. Also they would also try to demonstrate African-American rituals and dances in abstract ways that would reinforce some stereotypes and they would also create some new ones. These are the reasons that hillbilly/country music was viewed in a horrible fashion in the 1900’s
There were many reasons that caused the public the change their attitudes towards hillbilly/country music. One cause that effected the change in people attitudes was the expansion of the radio. Now in time most families had radios in their houses. This in tail caused the border between urban and rural music to break down. People in the urban areas were getting music from the rural areas and this way the urban area’s slowly changed their views about hillbilly/country music.
The term hillbillies was first associated with musicians in 1925, when a string band from North Carolina and Virginia agreed to play under the name Hill Billies. In 1900 the term was used as a "vague catchhall for rural, mountain living southeners." This music was seen many ways ranging from stability and enchantment to decadence and cultural degeneracy. They were given the stereotype of "bigotry and intolerance as creativity." They were given these stereotypes because of their minstrel show in New York City where they insulted African American traditions and confirmed existing racist ideas while developing new ones.
The expansion of the radio was a primary reason which helped people begin to enjoy hillbilly and country music. The expansion of the radio helped a broader audience listen to the music and so they were able to expand their horizon to the different type of music that was out there. Now people in the city were able to listen rural music which contributed in the growth of country and hillbilly music. Also new and different types of instruments were introduced as well as new musicians who played these instruments very well. Before country music was mostly affiliated with a banjo but with added instruments country music had more of a variety which helped people become more interested in the music.
The word hillbilly is usually coincides with “vague catchall for rural, mountain-living southerners” (Petrusich 150). The first time the word hillbilly was associated with music was in January of 1925. The Hill Billies were a band that came from North Carolina and Virginia. The view of hillbilly/country music was mostly construed because in cities like New York, people would put on shows that would portray African-American music in a bad manner. Also they would also try to demonstrate African-American rituals and dances in abstract ways that would reinforce some stereotypes and they would also create some new ones. These are the reasons that hillbilly/country music was viewed in a horrible fashion in the 1900’s
ReplyDeleteThere were many reasons that caused the public the change their attitudes towards hillbilly/country music. One cause that effected the change in people attitudes was the expansion of the radio. Now in time most families had radios in their houses. This in tail caused the border between urban and rural music to break down. People in the urban areas were getting music from the rural areas and this way the urban area’s slowly changed their views about hillbilly/country music.
Dhruv Patel
Afshan Aqueel
ReplyDeleteThe term hillbillies was first associated with musicians in 1925, when a string band from North Carolina and Virginia agreed to play under the name Hill Billies. In 1900 the term was used as a "vague catchhall for rural, mountain living southeners." This music was seen many ways ranging from stability and enchantment to decadence and cultural degeneracy. They were given the stereotype of "bigotry and intolerance as creativity." They were given these stereotypes because of their minstrel show in New York City where they insulted African American traditions and confirmed existing racist ideas while developing new ones.
The expansion of the radio was a primary reason which helped people begin to enjoy hillbilly and country music. The expansion of the radio helped a broader audience listen to the music and so they were able to expand their horizon to the different type of music that was out there. Now people in the city were able to listen rural music which contributed in the growth of country and hillbilly music. Also new and different types of instruments were introduced as well as new musicians who played these instruments very well. Before country music was mostly affiliated with a banjo but with added instruments country music had more of a variety which helped people become more interested in the music.