The Roots Of Country Pop/Rock

Merle Travis helped bridge the gap between ragtime and rockabilly/country:


and influenced everyone from Chet Atkins (Chet told a funny story about how he was approached by a recording studio to "play" like Merle) to modern day guitarists.

I agree. Most people incorrectly assume that Blues or Jazz was the first American form of music; very few know that it was actually Ragtime, not Jazz/Blues.

Thanks Kim,
Eddie

IMO, it's the same thing. The roots of country are also the roots of country rock.

And...I was the one with the original trivia question about country being hillbilly before it was called country, so you're preaching to the choir. Just like Jazz was called Rag before it was called Jazz.

And...Blues does predate Rag, by about 20 years.

When I think of the roots of Country Rock/Pop, I think of bands/artists such as these:




I'd have posted Creedence, but they've already been mentioned.


Frank

And here's a contemporary of Joplin's, WC Handy, who is considered the father of the Blues.

WC Handy wasn't a first generation bluesman...His contribution was that he was an educated musician who went down south and could transcribe the blues into written music, although a lot of what they were playing had no notations. So he was the first person to put blues into sheet music and since there were few recorders back then, this was a big advancement.

Again, blues existed before WC Handy. Rag was created in Joplin's time, and they both lived at the same time. Do the math.

It's very hard to find Handy songs actually played by him, but this is the first known recording of St Lous Blues. It's a little rough, but very cool!


And here's some "coon music" from 1891. The name "Coon music" was/is racist, but this song is considered the very first recording of a black American, George Johnson "The Whistling Coon". Blues was considered "coon music" and "coon music" came before Rag...

sure gives new meaning to 'All in the Family', eh.

I agree, I have all two Rockpile albums.

Like some other groups two much talent in one band.

I love The Eagles!

Here are a couple of my fave's.




and

Eric Johnson called Jerry Reed the "Jimmy Hendrix" of country. I agree. One of my favorite guitarists. His music is very hard to transcribe. Here he is with Chet Atkins.


I Love Youtube! If not for Youtube, all of these old TV moments would have been forgotten.

(love the pick sweeps Chet does at the 1:14 mark)

Buddy Holly was childhood friends with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, so there's no doubt at the very least he influenced c/w through those guys.

I agree, but Dylan would fall into folk rock,in my opinion...
Start that thread and I will post in it.

How about Black Knights