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 Country Music - Welcome to Country Music lyrics where you'll find lyrics from Cowboy, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Honky Tonk, Nashville Sounds, Outlaw Country , Urban Cowboy, New Country & New Traditionalists. Your Country Music lyrics page.
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The Older Country lyrics page marks the early beginnings of American Country music from the 1920's to the later Acuff & The Grand Ole Opry days of the 1930's. The Older Country lyrics page.
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Older Country Lyrics - the beginnings
Although musicians had been recording fiddle tunes (known as Old Time Music at that time)
in the southern Appalachians for several years, It wasn't until August 1, 1927 in Bristol,
Tennessee, that Country Music really began. There, on that day, Ralph Peer signed Jimmie
Rodgers and the Carter Family to recording contracts for Victor Records. Older country lyrics contd.
These two recording acts set the tone for those to follow - Rodgers with his unique singing
style and the Carters with their extensive recordings of old-time music.
Known as the "Father of Country Music," James Charles Rodgers was born in Meridian,
Mississippi on September 8, 1897. Always in ill health, he became a railroad hand,
until ill health caught up with him and he was forced to seek a less strenuous occupation. Older country lyrics contd.
An amateur entertainer for many years, he became a serious performer in 1925, appearing in
Johnson City, Tennessee and other places. In 1926, Rodgers and Carrie, his wife of 6 years,
moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and organized the Jimmie Rodgers' Entertainers,
a hillbilly band comprising Jack Pierce (guitar), Jack Grant (mandolin/banjo),
Claude Grant (banjo), and Rodgers himself (banjo). Older country lyrics contd.
Upon hearing that Ralph Peer of Victor Records was setting up a portable recording studio
in Bristol, on the Virginia-Tennessee border, the Entertainers headed in that direction.
But due to a dispute within their ranks, Rodgers eventually recorded as a solo artist,
selecting a sentimental ballad, "The Soldier's Sweetheart," and a lullaby,
"Sleep, Baby, Sleep," as his first offerings. Older country lyrics contd. The record met with instant acclaim,
thus causing Victor to record further Rodgers' sides throughout 1927, including the
first in a set of 13, Blue Yodel # 1 (T for Texas) Older country lyrics contd.
Rodgers, who died in 1933, never appeared on any major radio show or even played the
Grand Ole Opry during his lifetime. But he, Fred Rose, and Hank Williams were the first
persons to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961, which is indicative
of his importance in the history of Country Music.Older country lyrics contd.
One of the most influential groups in country music was The Carter Family
(A.P., Sara, cousin Maybelle, and others). The Carters first recorded for Ralph Peer
for Victor on August 1, 1927--the same day that Jimmie Rodgers cut his first sides--completing
six titles, including "Single Girl, Married Girl," at a makeshift studio in Bristol,
Tennessee, known as the Bristol Barn Sessions. Older country lyrics contd.
Sara and A.P. obtained a divorce during 1936, but continued working together in the group,
which now included Anita, June, and Helen (Maybelle and Ezra Carter's three daughters) and
Janette and Joe (Sara and A.P.'s children). Older country lyrics contd.
From 1936-39, the Family cut for Decca, and after that for Columbia and again for Victor.
The last session by the original Carter Family took place on October 14, 1941, and the Family disbanded
in 1943, having waxed over 250 of their songs and one of their signature songs, "Sunny Side of Life" , recorded in
1928. Older country lyrics contd. Also included is a video clip from the 1950's of Maybelle's daughters June, Helen,
and Anita who carried on this legacy for more than two decades after the original Carter's left the studio.
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Jimmie Rodgers - Jimmie Rodgers Lyrics from the late 1950's and 60's featuring "Are you really mine" and "Bimbombey". He was from an early era of America growing strong. Jimmie Rodgers lyrics.
 The Carter Family - The Carter Family Lyrics of 1927 to late 1930's featuring lyrics to "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Angel Band", "Amber Tresses", "Answer to Weeping Willow" and "Anchored in Love". The Carter Family lyrics.
Acuff & The Grand Ole Opry
Perhaps no other institution is more synonymous with country music than WSM Radio's Grand Ole Opry in Nashville,
Tennessee. Since 1925, it has featured country music acts on it's stage for live Saturday night broadcasts.
This program has introduced the nation to most, if not all, of the greats of country music. To this day,
membership on the Opry remains one of a Country Music artist's greatest ambitions. Older country lyrics contd.
The Opry began as a show with primarily part-time artists who used the show to promote their live appearances
throughout the South and Midwest, but with the help of Roy Acuff, the professionalism of country music became
established at the Opry. Older country lyrics contd.
The King of Country Music could well have become another Lou Gehrig or Babe Ruth. Born in Maynardville,
Tennessee, Roy Claxton Acuff seemed destined to become an athlete. Following a move to Fountain City
(near Knoxville), Acuff gained 13 varsity letters in high school, eventually playing minor league ball
and being considered for the New York Yankees. Older country lyrics contd. Sever sunstroke put an end to that career, confining
Acuff to be for the better part of 1929 and 1930.
By 1933, Acuff formed a group, the Tennessee Crackerjacks, in which Clell Summey played dobro, thus providing
the distinctive sound that came to be associated with Acuff (and later provided by Pete 'Bashful Brother Oswald' Kirby).
Acuff married Mildred Douglas in 1936, that same year recording two sessions for ARC
(a company controlling a host of labels, later merged with Columbia). Older country lyrics contd.
Tracks from these sessions included two of his greatest hits: "Wabash Cannonball" (featuring vocals by Dynamite Hatcher)
and "The Great Speckle Bird."
Making his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1938, Acuff soon became a regular on the show, changing
the name of the band once more to the Smoky Mountain Boys. Older country lyrics contd. He won many friends with
his sincere, mountain-boy vocal style and his dobro-flavoured band sound, and eventually became as popular as Uncle Dave Macon, who was
the Opry's main attraction at the time. Older country lyrics contd.
During the '40s, Acuff's recordings became so popular that he headed Frank Sinatra in some major music polls and
reportedly caused Japanese troops to yell 'To hell with Roosevelt, to hell with Babe Ruth, to hell with Roy Acuff'
as they banzai-charged at Okinawa. Older country lyrics contd. These years also saw some of his biggest hits, including "Wreck on the Highway"
(1942), Fireball Mail (1942), Night Train to Memphis (1943), and two tracks included here: "Tied Down," "That's
What Makes the Jukebox Play," and his classic "The Precious Jewel"
Acuff's tremendous contribution to country music was recognized in November 1962, when he became the first living
musician to be honored as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Older country lyrics contd. He guested on the
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's triple album set "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" in 1972, lending credence to contemporary and country-rock music.
He continued to appear regularly on the Grand Ole Opry throughout the '70s and '80s, but cut down on his previously
extensive touring schedule, until by the early '90s his only appearances were infrequent guest spots at Opryland.
He died on November 23, 1992 following a short illness. End of older country lyrics.
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 Cowboy lyrics
- Older lyrics. www.cowboylyrics.com
Roughstock's History of Country Music
- loads of information. www.roughstock.com
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Site written by Steve Dickson