Contemporary Christian...more than just hymns!

The movement of contemporary Christina music has made such large strides in the last decade that it can now be considered a form of widely popular music. Many consider the beginnings of contemporary Christian to be in the 80s with the likes of Amy Grant, Petra, Michael Peace, and Michael W. Smith.

This style of music serves two purposes. The first and most primary purpose is that of lifting up the faith of Christianity...i.e.: serving Jesus Christ. In fact, many listeners of contemporary Christian music refer to it as their way of being able to worship on a daily basis. The second purpose is to spread the message of encouragement and positive attitude.
More and more people are changing the station from hate and despair to hear music from the likes of Third Day, Casting Crowns, Skillet, Francesca Battestelli, Natalie Grant and Mandisa. These recent artists along with the forerunners have created a better sense of community and purpose within the population.
A larger benefit received from this style of music is the impact on the next generation. Seeing a room full of elementary, middle, high school and even college age people standing and singing such positive music can be one of the most uplifting experiences ever. One should also never underestimate the power these people posses on the nation's and even the world's future.

Ever played a country song backwards?

The joke remains that if you were to play a country song backwards you will get your dog back, your wife back, your truck back, etc. Country music tends to have a reputation for being a twangy, sad, depressive style of music. This somewhat negative reputation is due to the older generation of music composed by artists like Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Jim Reeves, and many more.

Many 'modern' listeners do not appreciate the slow style of country music. The originators of country were considered by the loyal as storytellers of the truth instead of glossing over the negative aspects of life. "Tear in My Beer" is often used as the butt of jokes, except the idea is that the man is heartbroken, a feeling with which many people no matter what their age can relate.
Because of the negative feelings toward the older style of country music, artists started to veer toward pop music. Crossover success stories like Faith Hill, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood have been considered a huge boon for the country music industry, by bringing new listeners to the genre. Others consider the crossover style of music to be a type of betrayal to the roots of country. Whichever side a person falls, none can dispute that the genre's popularity today is at the highest in recorded history even with the trend leaning back to the more traditional style of music.

The innerworking of "Heavy Metal"

Hair bands were all the rage in the 80s with the likes of Bon Jovi, Metalica, Van Halen and KISS. The style was a leap out of the disco genre embraced by the 70s. Electric guitars were being utilized in a more expressive manner, up to and including the smashing of them on stage. Lead singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, was even known to bite the heads off of bats on stage, expressing a general feeling of anarchy. Osbourne has stated that all of those bats but one were fake and just used for effect.

Clothing was another way that these artists expressed their individuality. Tight zebra and leopard print spandex pants were a common theme at the concerts. Of course, the reason they were designated as 'hair bands' was due to the haircuts worn. Feathered sides and mullets were worn in such frequency that the general public began to adopt them as the style of the day. 
These bands also gained notariety for destroying hotel rooms. This was an extremely negative aspect of the heavy metal genre. The different band members would smash mirrors, tear down curtains, destroy the furniture and were even known to break the windows. People began to equate general rebellion with listening to heavy metal. Many movements were instigated by concerned parents and church organizations, due to the 'outbreak' of wild behavior.
Today, metal is still alive in band like 30 Seconds to Mars as well as in the longevity of Bon Jovi and Van Halen. Mars' style of music expresses the purity earlier metal bands were trying to achieve while still carving their own unique niche in the music industry.

Acoustic: genre or movement?

Acoustic music was actually born out of the introduction of electric instruments into the music world. It basically means that the music is born out of the "pure" instruments with no electronic enhancements. Top artists include: Matt Costa, Peter Bradley Adams, Dispatch, Lifehouse, Paramore, and many more. This does not mean that these and other artists do not use any electric devices. In fact, many (if not all) use electronic amplifiers in their performances; to purify their sound and distinguish it from that of electronic nstruments many artists place a microphone in front of their instrument and have that device wired into an amplifier. Acoustic artists tend not to solely play in this style of music; many of these musicians split their talents between what is now commonly referred to as "unplugged" (a term coined in the '90s) and utilizing all musical instruments to perform.
Lifehouse: Broken
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's

Fun Fact: One of a lesser known acoustic artists has become known more for his acting in a blockbuster movie series known as The Twilight Saga. Robert Pattinson, best known for playing Edward in the vampire movies is also an accomplished talent that has mastered the piano & guitar. He does not seek to promote his music but did have two of his original songs placed into the first Twilight movie. His haunting lyrics take one inside the emotion behind the music. The links below are to the songs featured in the movie.

Rob Pattinson, Let Me Sign
Rob Pattinson, Never Think

More information re: Bluegrass Music

One will always have access to the founding fathers & mothers of bluegrass music. In fact, in today's technological era there is an unprecedented ability to listen to artists that have been gone for years. Something that people often associate with bluegrass music is that it's "old-fashioned" or the music of their grandparents. People may not always associate this style of music with today's musicians or even as a growing genre with interest spanning the ages of students and musicians.
On the campus of East Tennessee State University this is a foreign concept. Bluegrass is not only a modern way of musical expression but one that is so popular that it drives a new major field of study at the university. This, along with the Appalachian Studies field has brought scholars into the school in varying ages and backgrounds, longing to learn more about the roots of their beloved music, while others are simply searching for a welcoming platform in which to market their talents. These musicians spend countless hours outside of class in practice sessions and performing for local businesses and charity events.
In addition to the sub-culture that Bluegrass adds to the ETSU campus, it is also a thriving art outside of the educational arena. Popular bands today such as The Lonesome River Band,  and Steve Martin (yes THAT Steve Martin)  provide the unmistakable blending of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and other unique instruments. One has to only take the time to appreciate the history and depth behind this ageless music.
Here's a little taste of what could be considered Steve Martin's 'hidden talent:'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnr9xkJbfhY&feature=related

Bluegrass: Origins

First off, a mistake must be addressed; the Bluegrass genre did not give rise to country music as this author had professed and believed. Quite the contrary, in fact, Bluegrass music can find its beginnings inside the genre of country music. According to the International Bluegrass Music Association's website, http://www.ibma.org/, the term stems from Bill Monroe when he formed his band entitled "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys." This band's formation and "new sound" is considered to be where the birth of a genre occurred. Many can recall hearing the sound of Bill Monroe singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky," but for those that have not been exposed to his unique style of singing and blending of instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, stand-up bass, and fiddle, here is a performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffhqOy_A8KM.

 Bill Monroe with his signature instrument, the mandolin.

Many associate the "gelling" of the Bluegrass sound to have occurred with performer, Earl Scruggs. Scruggs, considered to be one of Monroe's protegees, formed the band "The Foggy Mountain Boys" in 1950. This band, comprised largely of former members from Monroe's entourage, experienced great success with Columbia records during the '50s and '60s. As with all types of music, they met with criticism for changes made to the traditional sound (primarily by Scruggs), and this eventually led to the band's break-up in 1969.

An effort will be made to seek out musicians of this genre to discover their thoughts on who is the true "Father of Bluegrass" as well as an attempt to discover the driving force behind the desire to continue the over half-a-century tradition filled genre of Bluegrass.

Sources and links for more information on this topic:
http://www.ibma.org/
http://www.roughstock.com/history/bill-monroe-and-bluegrass
http://www.spbgma.com/
http://www.bluegrassfestivalguide.com/

The Beginning

During this week the musical genre of bluegrass will be examined. This style of music is very prevalent in Appalachian culture and has generated a major field of study at East Tennessee State University. Each day this author will spend time listening to the popular bluegrass music in addition to seeking out different live shows that are held in the local community.

Bristol, Virginia is considered the birthplace of country music and is said to have its roots in bluegrass. A trip to the country music museum will be completed to extend the research efforts.