"Cashville"

Meer over het boek

Where I come from, it’s cornbread and chicken… This line from Alan Jackson’s country hit encapsulates the essence of country music as a reflection of the American South, known for its hospitality, politeness, and strong sense of community. In this region, family and religion hold greater significance than in other parts of the country. However, as Southern culture becomes increasingly Americanized, the rustic identity that defines authentic country music is at risk of losing its charm. Modern country has evolved into a slick, professional sound, resembling mainstream pop to enhance profitability. This study examines the authentic country music identity and its roots in working-class culture, tracing the genre's history from 19th and early 20th-century cowboy music to the Western Swing and Honky-Tonk of the 1930s and 1940s, through the progressive movements of the 1960s and 1970s, up to today’s Country Pop. It highlights the changing target audience and the efforts to preserve traditional sounds. Authentic Texas Country is contrasted with the commercial Nashville recording industry, showcasing their respective developments. Amidst threats to American national identity, country music, embodying representative American values, has gained popularity and fosters a collective national identity, yet risks diluting the original essence tied to small-town life. The genre's narrative structure is distinctive, with each song telling a st