The Progression of Southern Music

Music is a cultural aspect of America that never ceases to change. Both black and white Americans help in this process. As the culture changes, so does music. Music in America truly began to flourish and spread during the beginning of the 20th century. Folk and Jazz music became most popular very shortly after the civil war. The Jazz Age began a new era of music. People like Louis Armstrong helped set the tone for this new era of music. No longer was music just people singing with a banjo or violin, but different instruments were brought into a song and the mixtures that were produced are legendary.

From folk music to the blues, from the blues to jazz, from jazz to rock n roll. The early 1950's is the time that rock and roll really began to flourish. Next, blues rock, including such bands as Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, came into the culture. The next up and coming genre, country, based on folk music of the white southerners, with legendary names such as Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash are where it began. Country music is still very popular in the south today with new artists like Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney.

The newest genre of music, rap music, is the up and coming style. This type of music targets the younger generations. Cities like Atlanta are hot spots for up and coming artists. This development in music can be attributed to the changes that society has gone through. As our society becomes more rebellious and explicit, the music that is created and listened to, follows the trends. Music in the south has gone through drastic changes throughout the years. From folk music to rap, the differences are startling.