The Evolution of Bluegrass

One musical genre that is often tied back to original American Folk Music is bluegrass. Bluegrass music came about in the 1930’s and 1940’s and was originally seen as a break off of country music traditions. The rise in popularity of the Monroe Brothers and the Bluegrass Boys, Earl Scruggs, and Lester Flatt in this time period helped catapult this musical tradition into the foreground of American culture. Bluegrass music began originally as a Southern based style that was most popular in Kentucky (the bluegrass state) and Tennessee. However, the bluegrass community has undergone various transformations over the past 70 years, which make it a fascinating and unique genre that can no longer be contained by geographic borders. Its success as a genre is most impressive when one considers its all encompassing feel and ever-expanding fan base.

Although the origins of bluegrass stem from traditional folk and country western music, there are many clear distinctions that separate this genre. Original bluegrass bands typically had 4-7 members that played any combination of banjo, violin, bass, guitar, and mandolin. All of these instruments were played in the acoustic style and unlike other genres the banjo took a “major solo role” (L. Mayne Smith: Introduction to Bluegrass). Bluegrass bands also had multiple vocal parts, which were used to produce vocal harmonies to accompany the string sounds. Songs are often very fast paced and are distinguished from other genres by their driving string sound and melodic harmonies. Another key element of bluegrass music is that different instruments take turns playing the melody, instead of all sharing the melody at the same time.

The musical community formed by bluegrass appears to be ever-changing and continues to grow. For purpose of discussion the transformations in bluegrass music can seen by three differing trends. First is the emergence of bluegrass (1930’s-1950’s) and its popularity on radio and Country shows. The second important transformation (1960-1970’s) occurred due to the popularity of bluegrass festivals, bluegrass emergence in television and movies, and cross-over artists that shed light on this genre. Lastly, the most recent trend in bluegrass has come about due to the rise of progressive bluegrass a.k.a New Grass style (1980’s-Present). These dates and trends are not at all concrete, but they are necessary to understand how this small Southern musical tradition has exploded into a main component of popular American culture.

The story of bluegrass is truly about the evolution of a genre and the expansion of a musical identity. As a music community bluegrass is so intriguing because of its ability to capture new audiences through various mechanisms including new media, innovative artists, transforming styles, and combining with pre-existing genres. At the same time the bluegrass movement is also so fascinating because through all of the transformations that have occurred it still keeps true to its traditional roots in many important ways.

Song Selection
The songs chosen for this collection are meant to demonstrate the evolution of bluegrass music and its important place in American society. The song list begins in the 1930’s and 1940’s by highlighting the founders of bluegrass and their impact on the emergence of this genre on the American musical scene. The rest of the selections help show how bluegrass has grown and changed over the years, while taking on a new role in American popular culture. The tracks were all chosen for a specific reason whether to represent innovation, tradition, or alterity.

Playlist
1. Monroe Brothers, Sinner You Better Get Ready.
2. Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Bluegrass Breakdown.
3. Bill Monroe, I’ve Found a Hiding Place.
4. Blue Grass Boys, Roanoke
5. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Band, Blue Ridge Cabin Home.
6. Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Band. Foggy Mountain Top.
7. The Nashville Grass, You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.
8. Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt, Ballad of Jed Clampett.
9. David Grisman and Jerry Garcia, Shady Grove.
10. Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, Walking Boss.
11. Old and In the Way, Pig in a Pen.
12. Old and In The Way, Wild Horses.
13. The Country Gentlemen, Dark as a Dungeon.
14. The Dillards, There is a Time.
15. Nashville Bluegrass Band, Gospel Plow.
16. New Grass Revival, White Freightener.
17. Bela Fleck with New Grass Revival, Deviation.
18. The Country Gazette, Don’t Let Nobody Tie You Down.
19. String Cheese Incident, Texas.
20. String Cheese Incident, Half Moon Rising.
21. Greensky Bluegrass, Get No Better.
22. Yonder Mountain String Band, Angel.
23. Yonder Mountain String Band, Half Moon Rising.
24. Nickel Creek, Lighthouse’s Tale.
25. Railroad Earth, Long Way To Go.
26. Shady Grove Band, Streamlined Cannonball.
27. Crooked Still, Railroad Bill.