Country's Long Love Affair With Bluegrass
Is bluegrass music the new Branson, the last resort for aging country artists who can't get major record deals? It may look that way, but I think it's just as likely that these acts, finally freed of the usual commercial expectations, rejoice in singing the kind of songs they grew up with, ones that embody the string band sound and the rural images that were once common in mainstream country. Looking over such recent arrivals as Merle Haggard's The Bluegrass Sessions and Bill Anderson's Whisperin' Bluegrass, it occurs to me that country performers have long shown a fondness for this old-time style.In 1970, Dolly Parton and Lynn Anderson, both of whom would record bluegrass albums in the twilight of their careers, scored country hits with "Muleskinner Blues" and "Rocky Top," respectively. "Muleskinner" was a Bill Monroe evergreen by way of Jimmie Rodgers. Anderson's "Rocky Top," of course, covered the Osborne Brothers' 1968 dynamo.
Bluegrass took to the country (and pop) charts again in 1973 via Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell's galloping instrumental, "Dueling Banjos," the theme from Deliverance. At the height of his country prominence, Tom T. Hall recorded The Magnificent Music Machine, an entire album of bluegrass songs, most of them standards. The 1976 collection featured such guest pickers as Monroe, Jimmy Martin and J. D. Crowe. Six years later, Hall teamed with Earl Scruggs for The Storyteller & the Banjo Man. (Since his retirement from touring, Hall has devoted himself to bluegrass.) In 1978, Conway Twitty saluted bluegrass with "Boogie Grass Band," a tune written by Ronnie Reno, son of Bluegrass Hall of Famer Don Reno.
Throughout the ‘80s and 90s, Ricky Skaggs pumped a torrent of bluegrass into his country music. Travis Tritt enriched his 1991 album, It's All About to Change, with the Jimmy Skinner bluegrass classic, "Don't Give Your Heart to a Rambler." Steve Earle brought legions of new fans to bluegrass in 1999 when he recorded The Mountain with the Del McCoury Band. That same year, Parton crossed the musical border with The Grass Is Blue. Anderson and Janie Fricke both re-styled their country hits in 2004 on albums called, not surprisingly, The Bluegrass Sessions.
So the next time a country icon reaches for a banjo, try not to be too cynical. It could be that he really does like bluegrass. Couldn't it?
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Bluegrass on The Knob… « The Gobblers Knob says:
[...] CMT.com’s blog has a post about a recent trend in the bluegrass world. He seems to be forgetting about the folks in the videos over to the side of this page that show [...]
Kelly says:
While I agree that artists seem to be using Bluegrass as a retirement facility (for various reasons), They also might be looking to introduce themselves to a new fan-base. I am sure they have noticed that “new-grass” bands such as Nickel Creek, The Greencards, The Duhks, OCMS, etc..have energized a genre that is typically associated with the Branson crowd. While greats such as Sam Bush and Queen Krauss are teaming up with (get ready for this), drummers, electric instrumentation, and even rock stars to bend the rules and forge a new, exciting and increasingly more eclectic brand of music than ever before. I can see how Fricke and even the Hag want to create a new “cool” label for themselves, even though real fans will always think they are as cool as it gets.
OutlawSteph says:
Tony Trischka has a very young band with him on the road to support Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, and they were HOT pickers. The fiddle player had just turned 18, and the rest were probably still in their 20s. And Tony has dedicated his career to progressive bluegrass and teaching banjo to enthusiastic students who learn the right way, in person and through teaching materials. So, anyone that wants to use bluegrass as somewhere to go when the country mainstream doesn’t work out for them better watch out. It’s great to have the young energy combined with the seasoned pros. There’s a lot of competition out there. We know who grew up with Flatt & Scruggs and New Grass Revival records and who didn’t.
-Stephanie
bigwilliefan says:
Any of ya’ll out there listeners of Lonestar 92.5? I know that they just hosted a great Lynard Skynard show on the 12th if anyone was out there for it.
If anyone’s interested in the country music scene, come check out Lonestar 92.5’s website at http://www.lonestar925.com/ for the latest on your favorite classic rock, alternative country, outlaw rock, and have little commercial interruption.
They also are currently holding a contest on the site promoting the Black Crowe’s concert OCT 26th! Check the site, you’ll get the chance to win two tickets to the Black Crowes show, vip access, and a backstage tour! Bein a lifelong fan of the music scene it’s been fun working with and on the Lonestar site, so please come check it out everyone!
Mike Bawing says:
Bluegrass influenced so many country singers when they were growing up that as they get older it makes sense that they kind of “return to their roots.” For any folks who want to learn more of the history, consider visiting the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro and at http://www.bluegrassmuseum.org