Revisiting Bluegrass Music

Bluegrass is a form of music that traces its roots back to old 1940s American music, and is considered a sub-genre of country western music. The history of bluegrass can be traced even further back into other forms common to traditional English, Irish, and Scottish music. Bluegrass is pretty much the fusion of jazz and blues with the traditional music of immigrants from Ireland and the United Kingdom. One key component to creating bluegrass music is the distinctive style of having each instrument take a turn playing a key melody with improvisations, with all other present instruments fading as backup. There are also no electronic musical instruments in traditional bluegrass music, and all instruments are acoustic.

Early bluegrass musicians were those who were part of the movement during the 1940s to the 1960s. Considered the “golden age” of bluegrass, artists who were big during the time were Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Reno and Smiley, the Lily Brothers, and Earl Taylor. These musicians paved the way for bluegrass artists to hit the mainstream and are the pioneers of this unique country music subgenre.

The 1960s bluegrass musicians were followed by a generation that introduced progressive bluegrass. These artists introduced the traditional bluegrass rhythm to a refreshed rock and roll audience. Jerry Garcia (of Grateful Dead fame), David Grisman, Sam Bush, and Tony Rice are just some of the greats that are recognized for pushing the progressive bluegrass format forward.

These days bluegrass music has mellowed out of the mainstream and is favored by more loyal, purist followers, although the musical style still occasionally finds its way into the mainstream. Dolly Parton and Patty Loveless have both come out with a handful of bluegrass albums as homage to the art. Its because of such albums that bluegrass music is still able to maintain itself and even reach a wider, younger audience. Ricky Skaggs, once a bluegrass virtuoso who has crossed over to mainstream country music has since returned to his old ways, now with his band Kentucky Thunder. Yonder Mountain String Band, a new group from the US, has also sparked interest in younger generations, triggering a progressive bluegrass style that is palatable to the college rock-radio atmosphere.

Bluegrass is more than just music to some people, it is a movement, a niche, a part of American history even. And although opinions about it are split on whether or not it is a dwindling form of music, it wouldn’t hurt to listen and learn to appreciate this this country western sub genre. Who knows, one might even find gems in the simple act of trying out something new.