A website dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Australian
country music.

Country Music
The Music Of
Our Country



The Story of Australian Country Music

A Tribute to Buddy

A Tribute to Jimmy

A Tribute to Johnny

A Tribute to Reg

A Tribute to Shirley

A Tribute to Slim

– Slim, Chronicler of the Bush

A Tribute to Smoky

A Tribute to Tex

– Tex Morton White Guitars

A Tribute to The McKean Sisters

Arch Kerr – pioneer record producer

Australia's College of Country Music

Bicentennial Concert 1970

The Big Golden Guitar

Birth of the Golden Guitars

Brief History of the Golden Guitar Awards

Brief History of Star Maker

The Buddy Bishop Story

Country Music Capital Meets Music City

Country Music Hands of Fame

Country Music Media

Country Music Roll of Renown

Country Timeline

First The Song

Ghosts of Tamworth

Golden Guitar Memories

Golden Guitar Pioneers

Golden Guitar Winners Tally

The Gympie Muster

The Hadley Records Story

History of the College of Country Music

How the CMAA Was Born

How Tamworth became Country Music Capital

How the College of Country Music Works

Introduction

The John Minson Story

Links

Minson Memories

Narrative! Narrative! Narrative!

Origins of the Tamworth Country Music Festival

Radio Ranch & Spurs

Ross Murphy

Sources and Resources

Stairway to Stardom

The Story of Maton Guitars

Tamworth Milestones

Tamworth, We've Done Us Proud

WHAT IS COUNTRY MUSIC

For more information
Contact: Max Ellis

Email info@historyofcountrymusic.com.au

Disclaimer

All matters relating to the conduct of this site remain under the total control of Max Ellis or his nominees who will endeavour to ensure the accuracy and balance of the content and proper conduct of the site but, subject to legal requirements, cannot be held responsible for any digression or non-compliance in respect of these matters.

What is Country Music?

Whenever people talk about country music, the question arises about how to define it?  There are more different views than there are songs. Here are some answers!

A) Years ago John Minson and Max Ellis were on a promotional trip for the Tamworth Festival and in the course of talking to a number of journalists whose total knowledge of country music was two words… Slim Dusty…  they kept getting asked just what was meant by the term Country Music.

Of course the answer is that Country Music means different things to different people.  Ask 20 people and you’ll get 20 answers. Most of them are unequivocally positive that their definition is the only authorised version.  Sounds religious? That’s because for many it is a matter of faith, with different denominations conducting a war of words over which version is the true gospel.

So John and Max, as practical types, attempted a general specification summarising some of the specific characteristics which set country aside from other types of music.

1 A simple Chord progression. Generally country depends on a limited number of chords. It is not musically complicated and this certainly contributes to its popularity and playability.

2 Country music should have a strong story line. “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” or “Pub With No Beer”, illustrate the point.

3 The song should have a simple and memorable chorus, which supports the storyline and is one reason so many people find it easy to recall and sing a good country song.

4 Identifiable instrumentation. Organs, orchestras, strings, wind instruments are NOT country. Guitars, banjos, fiddles, pedal steel guitars, harmonicas definitely are. There are exceptions of course but instruments must be played in a country manner.

Some say that geographic locations are a factor, insisting that a non urban setting is an essential ingredient. But there are plenty of examples of successful country songs that don’t have country locations.

Summarising

Simple chords, Strong storyline, Memorable chorus, country Instruments.

Max Ellis

Adapted from a story in Capital News September 1981

Here are some more definitions

A) Must sound like Tex, Buddy or Slim in the 40s and 50s and be about some aspect of rural life.

B) If it sounds like country it is.

C) If the cheque comes from Nashville, it's country!

D) Finally a definition from a multinational advertising agency discussing “country” from a life style and marketing point of view. Not specifically about music but country music is identified as a influential element in this general “country”.

"Country" exists as a cluster of attitudes, beliefs, symbols and signs in the minds of consumers, giving us clear messages about their aspirations. It represents simplicity, purity and authenticity, a quality of life made up of relationships and roost; it conveys warmth and friendliness.  These are all qualities that consumers in the pressured and uncertain '90s value and that are all the more powerful because they represent our yearnings, not the reality of our lives."

Take your Pick!!!!

If you have any good definitions you think people would like to hear let us know.


Comments...

Peter Winkler, first and long time Director of the College of Country Music, composer, record producer, audio engineer and educator went to Camerata in June 2009 where he was asked "What is Country Music?"

"We all have difficulties in defining Country Music. The genre has been expanding to include many different styles from traditional bush ballads right through to something called 'Alternative Country'. At the Country Music College, we approach the definition from a different angle. Rather than trying to define what is Country Music, we keep our minds open while having a general consensus about what is not Country Music. Our staff and students accept that method of definition."


Compiled and produced in Tamworth, Australia's Country Music Capital © Copyright GM Ellis. Material on this site can be down loaded. Where copyrights on pictures or other content are known to exist, approvals for use have been obtained. If you have any query regarding material on the site please contact the site manager