This hybrid style was popularized by Country artists such as Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, as well as Rock and Rollers such as Jerry Lee Lewis, and, of course, Elvis Presley. However, the louder, more raucous Rock sound tended to overwhelm the Country elements in Rockabilly, and today most Country enthusiasts insist that Rockabilly is a variety of Rock n' Roll rather than Country. Country went "pop" in the late 1950s with the "Nashville Sound" (which was dominant in Country for decades and, arguably, still is). This was essentially an attempt to reach a mass audience by taking the "twang" out of Country.
The distinguishing features of this variety of Country are a very smooth, heavily produced sound, background strings, and vocal choirs. Early examples of this sound are the recordings of Chet Atkins and the more over produced songs of Patsy Cline. As a reaction against the pop Nashville Sound, and greatly influenced by the Country shuffles of Ray Price and his drummer Buddy Harman, the Bakersfield Sound arose in the early 1960s. The distinguishing feature of the Bakersfield Sound was that the "twang" returned there were no strings and no vocal choirs. In contrast to earlier Hank Williams style Country, there was more emphasis on the electric guitar (with a tone owing much to Surf music), and drumming styles included standard Western Swing and Country Shuffle grooves.
The primary modern exponent of the Bakersfield Sound is Dwight Yoakam, who, however, covers a much wider range of styles than Buck Owens. Another reaction against the Nashville Sound was the "Outlaw Movement" of the 1970s. Outlaw music used the sounds of both Hank Williams style Country and the Bakersfield Sound, differing from them primarily in its lyrical content, which was on the dark side, emphasizing heavy drinking, barroom brawls, and infidelity. Its exponents include Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and David Allan Coe. Predictably, the Outlaw Movement still remains excluded from traditional Country music circles. However, during Outlaw's early years, drums were finally allowed on stage at The Grand Ole Opry when the organization moved to "Opryland" in 1973.
Shortly afterward the Opry appointed Buddy Harman as its first regular drummer, while Harman continued to appear on countless Country music hits, including "Ring of Fire" Johnny Cash), "Bye Bye Love" (Everly Brothers), "Stand by Your Man" (Tammy Wynette) and even the Rock n' Roll classic "Pretty Woman" (Roy Orbison). Another notable trend in the early 1970s was the emergence of Country Rock. On the Rock side, performers included pioneers such as The Byrds, Gram Parsons, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and, most prominently, The Eagles. On the Country side, the musicians included Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Williams, Jr. The distinguishing features of the genre are its use of Country harmonies and melodies, both Rock and Country instruments, and Rock drumming grooves.
In the 1980s, still another reaction against the Nashville Sound arose with the New Traditionalists, led by Dwight Yoakam and Steve Earle. These artists returned to the stripped down sounds of early Country, the Bakersfield Sound, and, to a limited extent, Bluegrass. A drummer in the Country genre is responsible for a simple and steady beat. Although it appears deceptively easy, Country music boasts some of the best musicians ever to pick up an instrument, drums included.
The primary creators of the Country Shuffle were Ray Price and his drummer, Buddy Harman. Since its development in the 1950s, the Country Shuffle has come to be used in a lot of Musical styles like Honky Tonk, The Nashville Sound, the Bakersfield Sound, and Modern Day Country. Its main characteristic is the swung eighth note feel borrowed from jazz and Blues. Early examples of the Country Shuffle are "Crazy Arms", "City Lights", and "I've Got a New Heartache." Tempos range from quarter note = 80-126 bpm.
Western Music's initial identification with Country music stemmed from its sounding somewhat similar to traditional Country and the use of the guitar as the primary instrument. Although it is no longer coupled with Country, a musician may need to play Western songs in a non traditional Country setting. The Country, Shuffle is the primary groove in virtually all Western songs, with the distinguishing feature being the slow tempo of virtually all Western tunes. So, a "Slow Shuffle" feel results. The tempo range is quite narrow, at quarter note = 80-92 bpm.
The Train Beat is an indispensable groove in most Country gigs. Though its roots stem from the Bluegrass genre, it is now used throughout Country music. Just as in Bluegrass, its main characteristic is the consistent snare pattern accenting the upbeats. But unlike Bluegrass, in the genres of Country Rock or Modern Day Country, it may sometimes be played with sticks, the snare drum remaining the exclusive surface. Also, the groove tends to have a slower tempo range than that of Bluegrass, which contributes to its being felt in 4/4 rather than cut time or "two feel." The tempo range is quarter note = 100-132 bpm. However, the abundance of snare drum notes simulates a fast, double time feel.
Beginning in the 1970s, Country music began incorporating the sounds and influence of mainstream Rock n' Roll. Artists such as Charlie Daniels, Linda Ronstadt, Alabama, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings stand as pioneers of this marriage of styles. Current artists such as Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Clint Black have attained worldwide popularity outside of normal Country music circles. Traditional Country music continues to thrive through Modern Day Country artists such as Travis Tritt, Hank Williams Jr., and Winona Judd, with the late drummer Larrie Londin standing as one of the most notable session musicians of the genre. As it is heavily influenced by contemporary Rock n' Roll, most Country Rock grooves may be played straight or shuffled.
The main difference between Country Rock grooves and Modern Day Country grooves is that Country Rock grooves tend to be more active. Country Rock and Modern Day Country are often included in the same category due to their similar musical characteristics. However, Country Rock tends to incorporate a dynamic rhythm section with loud guitars and bigger drum sounds, similar to those in a Rock n' Roll band. Modern Day Country relies heavily on pop type grooves and modern production. Additionally, there are "crossover artists" that explore characteristics of both styles such as Tim McGraw and Americana. Similar drum grooves appear in both styles, and both may draw from the more traditional Country drumming styles. Tempos of both Country Rock and Modem Day Country range from slower ballads at quarter note = 58 bpm to brisk tempos of quarter note = 184 bpm or faster.
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