If you're wondering what type of music has most influenced the Peach State's musical history, most Georgians would tell you country music. County music has has been a major contributor to the music of most southern states, and Georgia is no exception.
Country Music: A Brief History
In order to understand Georgia's place in the development of country music, it helps to understand the development of this music genre as a whole. While the earliest versions of country music started out as bluegrass, country music did not begin to develop into the musical form it is today until 1927. In 1927, in Bristol, Tennessee, a man by the name of Ralph Peer set up his own recording studio. Peer was a talent scout for Victor Records, and was nearing the end of a long road trip searching for talent.
Upon setting up this temporary makeshift recording studio, he recorded songs by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, who would later become country music's first superstars. These recording sessions came to be known as the Bristol Sessions, and were the catalyst that sparked the birth of country music.
Country music grew as rural the southern states became more urban. The events of this time provided great fodder for country music song writers. The agricultural setbacks and the Great Depression, combined with the rise of radio, provided content and a way to disseminate it all over the country. As there was no work in rural areas of the south, many country lovers moved to the cities to look for work, and brought with them the opportunity for country music to become even more popular. Cities like Chicago played country music on the radio widely. In Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry was soon established.
The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 gave rise to a new trend in country music, the Honky Tonk Era. This style of country music was livelier, and depended more on lyrical talent, than instruments. The most prevalent Honky Tonk musician of this time was Hank Williams, an Alabama native. By the 1980s, country music had become what it is today, minus the rock'n' roll influences that have found their place in the talents of some country artists.
Georgia Influences on Country Music
Though country music didn't originate in Georgia, the state has made its own significant contributions to its development. The legacy of country music begins in the 1960s with Ray Charles, who recorded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music in 1962. This album was a landmark record for his career and paved the way for other aspiring country singers.
The first female country singer, and the next country act to follow Ray Charles, was Brenda Lee, who is best remembered for her hit Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. Another male counterpart of country music in the 1960s was Bill Anderson (also known as Whispering Bill), who is still considered one of country music's finest singers and songwriters. Georgia had its share of talented musicians during this time too. The most important was Pete Drake, an expert at playing his pedal-steel-guitar. His performance in Tammy Wynette's hit song, Stand by Your Man, revived the popularity of the instrument in Nashville, where it had been disliked for many years.
More modern influences on country music in Georgia include Travis Tritt, a native of Marietta Georgia. Another influence included Monticello's Trisha Yearwood, who is credited by many of her peers for paving the way for many of today's female country singers during the 1990s. Yearwood was married to country singer Garth Brooks, whose hit song, The Dance, was written by Savannah native Tony Arata. This musical compilation helped revive country music's national popularity when it was fading during the 1990s.
Georgia Influences on Country Musicians
Georgia has done more than produce country music talent, it has also influenced non-natives who have visited or lived in the state for a period of time. Wally Fowler was a singer and songwriter who lived in Adairsville, and is credited with discovering the Oak Ridge Boys, as well as furthering the careers of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams. In addition, country star Ronnie Milsap attended college at Young Harris College in Georgia and began his music career in Atlanta. Popular country great Eddy Raven (born in Louisiana) spent most of his childhood growing up in Georgia and is believed to have performed for the first time in Metter.
Country music still defines the musical culture of Georgia today. Many of the superstars who have contributed to this musical genre still reside in Georgia when they're not performing. Visitors to the state will find plenty of opportunities to hear country music, and even see the houses where some of the greats lived. Country music is so prevalent in Georgia that people who try to avoid it will find it a task that is impossible to accomplish.
The Other Sides of Georgia Music
While country music may be prevalent in Georgia today, it is not the only musical genre thriving. Georgia natives like Otis Redding left their mark on the R&B genre, and the great Johnny Mercer was also from Georgia, and is best known for his songs Jeepers Creepers and Moon River. Visitors to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon can see a life-size statue of Otis Redding. While there, visitors should pay a visit to the Rose Hill Cemetery, the resting place of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley who were part of the original Allman Brothers Band whose lineup has changed frequently throughout the years, but has resulted in great songs like Midnight Rider and Melissa.
If you travel to the small town of Athens, Georgia, you will experience first hand why Rolling Stone calls it the number one music scene in America. Twenty years ago the B-52's and REM burst onto the music scene from their small roots which originated here. REM actually borrowed the title for its 1992 album Automatic for the People from the slogan of a local restaurant. Today, visitors to Athens will find that the music scene is not much different from that of Hollywood's Sunset Strip. Hundreds of bands call Athens home and venues like the 40-Watt Club provide space for bands to exhibit their talents.
Probably the biggest music craze to come out of Georgia recently is the rap music scene; most especially in Atlanta. Rap groups and rap artists, such as OutKast and Ludacris began their careers in Georgia. Both have also reached the mainstream with their music, and have crossed over into movies. Both have been innovators in lyricism and music trends most recently, helping to develop new rap styles such as Krunk, which is most associated with native born rapper Lil Jon.
Musical genres in Georgia are greatly diversified. While country music is closely identified by most in Georgia, it is not the only popular genre.
