1. Chapter 11 – Country and Southern Rock
“Dylan is going to influence anybody that is close to him, I think, as a writer, some way or another. He’s a powerful talent.” Johnny Cash
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Country Music
Country music combined with rock in late sixties: Bob Dylan recorded with Charlie Daniels and Johnny Cash Gram Parsons recorded with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers Country and rock instruments used: strummed acoustic guitars, electric lead guitars, electric bass, honky-tonk piano, drums, and pedal-steel guitar Songs in triple meter on country-rock albums, rare for rock music, but common in country music… popularity of the waltz as a dance Linda Ronstadt recorded in a country style with musicians who later formed the Country-rock band the Eagles
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3. The Eagles
Formed in 1971 Glenn Frey, guitar, singer Bernie Leadon, singer, guitar, banjo, mandolin Randy Meisner, bass player, singer Don Henley, drummer, singer Country influences, five-string banjo, strummed acoustic guitar, electric guitar fills, honky-tonk piano, mandolin, and songs with storyline lyrics Bernie Leadon quit and was replaced by rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, Joe Walsh, giving the Eagles less of a country style and more pop rock
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4. Listening Guide
“Lyin’ Eyes” by the Eagles (1975) Tempo: 132 beats per minute, 4 beats per bar Form: Mostly 8-bar phrases, repeating chord progression Sections with words “lyin’ eyes” are refrains made up of two 8-bar phrases and one 6-bar instrumental phrase Features: Steel and 12-string guitars play fills between singers’ phrases Even beat subdivisions Drums provide subtle accent on backbeat Honky-tonk piano in background Electric bass guitar plays two-beat country bass (accents on beats 1 and 3) with added notes Lyrics: A woman cannot hide her infidelity because her eyes give her away. Charts: Pop, #2 for two weeks, Country, #8, British hits, #23
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5. John Fogerty
( ) Creedence Clearwater Revival ( ) combined country and rockabilly styles Blue Ridge Rangers, John Fogerty overdubbed guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums to create a country with rock influences style Under name John Fogerty, recorded more rock influenced recording such as those on the Centerfield (1985) album Creedence Clearwater Revisited formed in 1995 by two members of original Creedence Clearwater Revival, without Fogerty
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6. Other popular 1970s Country Rock Musicians
Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Nicolette Larson, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Leon Russell, Wanda Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, and Neil Young Country rock kept alive in eighties and nineties by: Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, and Son Volt
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7. Southern Rock
Pride in the American South, aggressive music, macho lyrics, stubbornly independent, outlaw image Allman Brothers Band from Florida, moved to Macon, Georgia Included two lead guitarists, Duane Allman and Richard “Dickey” Betts; two drummers, Jaimoe Johanny Johanson and Butch Trucks; and keyboards by Gregg Allman, gave band a very full, distinctive sound. 1971, Duane Allman died and was replaced to maintain the twin-lead guitar sound 1976, Allman Brothers Band broke up, but various members continued to work together as Great Southern, the Dickey Betts Band, the Gregg Allman Band, and then the Allman Brothers Band
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8. Listening Guide
“Ramblin’ Man” by the Allman Brothers Band (1973) Tempo: 176 beats per minute, 4 beats per bar Form: 16-bar choruses made up of two 8-bar periods each The first chorus serves as a refrain because of their later repetitions Instrumental sections are 16 bars each Features: Solo lead guitar beginning, honky-tonk-style piano, then trademark two lead guitar sound (two guitars playing lead in octaves) Two drummers maintain evenly subdivided beat and strong backbeat Tambourine keeps a steady half-beat rhythm Country style known as “western swing” influence in fullness of sound Guitar solos often lapse into uneven beat subdivisions, creating a swing style Lyrics: The singer music be free and avoid being “tied down” to one woman Charts: Pop, #2
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9. Southern Rock Bands
Other important Southern Rock bands of the seventies and beyond: Charlie Daniels Band ZZ Top Hank Williams Jr. Lynyrd Skynyrd Molly Hatchet .38 Special
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10. Listening Guide
“The South’s Gonna Do It (Again)” by the Charlie Daniels Band (1975) Tempo: 176 beats per minute, 4 beats per bar Form: Two eight-bar period instrumental introduction, followed by twelve choruses of 12-bar blues Features: Hillbilly-style fiddle introduction uses stop time with drum accents The fiddle is joined by steel guitar, then by bass and drums The bass plays a shuffle rhythm pattern (uneven beat subdivisions) Drums strongly accent the backbeat First chorus in honky-tonk style Some multiple fiddle parts in instrumental sections A boogie-woogie bass pattern played by bass and piano Ending in jump blues riff pattern Lyrics: The song exudes pride in the South and in music from the South. Various popular southern rock musicians and bands are named along with their home city or state Charts: Pop, #29
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11. Listening Guide
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974) Tempo: 100 beats per minute, 4 beats per bar Form: Based on repeating 8-bar periods with occasional 4-bar instrumental sections A simple 3-chord progression in each 4-bar phrase Features: Even beat subdivisions Strong backbeat in drums Ronnie Van Zant’s lead vocals are responded to by female singers in a black-gospel style The single lead guitar is often joined by two other lead guitars, creating a fullness influenced by the trademark Allman Brothers’ twin lead guitar style Piano plays in a honky-tonk style Lyrics: Pride in the South, attacks on Neil Young for his songs about southern stereotypes, disapproves of racist actions of former governor George Wallace, but sees no problem with the Watergate break-in Charts: Pop, #8
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12. Discussion Questions
Many southern bands proudly identified with cultural aspects of the former confederate states of the southern United States. Are there other regions in the United States that have music that similarly represents the region? Is the southern identity residue from the Civil War, or are there other reasons for it?
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