Architecture, Design, and Public Space of Country Music Clubs across Thesis

Architecture, Design, and Public Space of Country Music Clubs across America - Thesis Example The architecture of the country music clubs become a space that reflects the identity of those interested in the music as well as the depiction which is related to the concepts portrayed in the music. When examining the history, relevance to social identity and the fabrication of country music, it can be seen that the architecture and ideology of the genre is a direct reflection of the identity of what is now known as the country scene. History of Country Music The beginning of country music was first seen in the Deep South and was associated with the Southern culture, specifically among slaves. This derived from the folk songs which many slaves sang while on the plantations, specifically which were used with the understanding that one could overcome the difficult times and problems which persisted in the situation which most were in. The slave songs which were created led to the blues and jazz music, pieces of music which were known specifically among the African – American p opulation and which were based on the hardships of living in the south. Country music was a spin – off of the blues, specifically which came from the musical techniques that were used and the arrangements of the songs. It was also found that elements of blue grass and folk were incorporated into the sound, specifically which came from individuals living in the high country of the South and which were building a life from the land. More importantly, the country music depicted the same concept of hardships that were associated with the blues and with the country living in the South (Ellison, 12). By 1923, the concept of country music began to evolve in the south, mostly with the evolution of the blues music. Atlanta, Louisville, Texas and other southern areas began to use the music for barn dances and entertainment. This stretched to Chicago and to New York City with the same ideology. When the Great Depression began, many began to focus on the concept of country music, specifi cally because of its relationship to overcoming hardships needed at the time. From this, the concept of country music became commercialized with barn dances, entertainment and with radio recordings of musicians who reflected overcoming the difficulties of the time. By the 1940s, areas such as Kentucky and Tennessee took these ideas and changed it into a popular genre to depict country living and styles which related to blues, bluegrass music, folk music and earlier entertainment o the time. These traditions led into country music being a part of the southern culture and depicting the lifestyle through the 1960s (Ellison, 15). The concept of country music evolved through the 1960s with the other types of music which were a part of the time. The commercialization during this time led to new sounds that were depicted, specifically which combined the electronic instruments of the time frame, rock arrangements which were popular throughout America and the combined musical progressions of blues and jazz. During this time, the Country Music Foundation also became a part of the history, specifically which was associated with finding ways to popularize the music and to give musicians opportunities for performances and recordings. This led the country music style through the current day and to those interested in the specific sounds of the music. The depictions from other forms of music is based on the musical