Country Music Essay

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country music Australia Sharnee Fry Yr 9 Music- Country The foundation of country music began almost 200 years ago with the didgeridoo, bullroarer, clap-sticks and the corroboree set the boundaries for development of country music. In 1788 the first fleet of ships to Australia brought convicts and their gaolers, exiles, the new arrivals brought folk melodies and music hall ballads from old countries and soon they began adapting these songs to reflect their new lives. They told of the hardship and, isolation and injustice they endured. Many of the first Australian songs told of bushrangers or bolters, the banjo, mouth organ, concertina, tea chest and penny whistle were popular instruments. 1920’s to 1940’s Two developments had a profound influence on the future of Australian country music in the 1920’s: * The introduction of radio in 1923 (By 1929 more than three hundred thousand Australian homes had a radio license) * The spread of phonograph (by 1929 many houses had a wind-up gramophone By the 1930’s, country music was an established part of rural life. Many young Australians began singing because of jimmy Rogers and other recording artist like Wilf Carter and Hank Snow. During the 1940’s many artist began to climb the charts with their country songs and country music climbed to a whole new height of popularity (the cowboy hat became a symbol of country music). 1940’s to 1960’s War dominated the early 1940’s but in the late 1940’s and 1950’s country music boomed as more new stars appeared including many artist who would be famous for decades to come. Country reigned on radio, country was seen in the cinema, and it played in talent quest, show grounds and town halls. It even had its own magazine. In the 60’s country took to television, in New South Wales registered clubs supported country music while fans flourished everywhere. 1970’s to

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