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Chapter 3 of 10

Put A Little Country In Your Writing

This time, sixty years of country-western music.

Country Western music has been around a long time.

American folk music, Appalachian Cajun blues, old-time music Western New Mexico Red Dirt Tejano Texas country first originated in the 1920’s.

Of course back then an upwards throughout the 1950’s, there was no such thing as a concert.

Banjo, washboard players, harpsicord and guitar pickers played in tents, on grassy fields, honky-tonk saloons just to be heard, and until the emergence of Hank Williams, country western music was just a good-old boy pastime. Hank put country western music on the map and since that time to now, it is the second most well-loved style of music.

In 1933, country western music found a home in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, and one could say their stage was the next closest thing to performing a concert for their fans. In the mid-70’s came Austin City Limits. Country music was rising to the point of almost overtaking rock and roll.

Herein are sixty years of nostalgia and modern day music from 1960 to 2020 … but I have included two songs at the beginning of this list prior to 1960. It is only fitting.

This special comes from 1952 with the Kate Smith Evening Hour.

Kate Smith herself was well known during this time and perhaps sang the finest rendition of God Bless America, you would ever hear, but this really isn’t about Kate, but one of her guests, although if you care to listen, then go here ... https://youtu.be/TmfeNq5x5aQ

Though Roy Acuff is present, he’s not really the special guest … but Hank Williams is … the video is about 25 minutes long with various songs and worth the watch … but if you prefer, you can fast forward to 9:56 in the video to listen to Hank sing “Cold, Cold Heart.” … https://youtu.be/71BUPcHKLbI

Please understand the early days of concert going was to Nashville to see the entertainers at the Grand Ole Opry. And there, you would see and hear a variety of entertainers.

There will be a few years where I can find no actual stage performances lasting more than a few minutes, and to offset that, there will be individual performances for each year listed. And as each passes in review, you will, see, hear, and feel the progression of the music and the artists.

There is one recording that isn’t a song where I placed the word commercial by it. Think of it as a break in the action.

So kick your legs back, listen to a tune or two, and enjoy sixty years of country music, both old and new.

1960: https://youtu.be/KAO7vs_Q9is

1961: https://youtu.be/CiOkt91cX9I

1962: https://youtu.be/xV2YwWjTaco

1963: https://youtu.be/4R1TxAj2agk

1964: https://youtu.be/oPMdZPWH1S4

1965: https://youtu.be/26LC1lVxbSA

1966: https://youtu.be/8_wwP8UZR1o

1967: https://youtu.be/Fa3I7wTOO8k

1968: https://youtu.be/QHv1NGiMOok

1969: https://youtu.be/WOHPuY88Ry4