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Home > Conferences > POPULAR_MUSIC > 2009 > NOV14 > 1

Popular Music in the Mercer Era, 1910-1970
 

Event Title

Building Bridges: Hank Williams and the Hit Parade

Presenter Information

Steve Goodson, University of West Georgia

Time/Date

11-14-2009 10:00 AM

Abstract

Hank Williams is widely considered to be the greatest songwriter in the history of country music. He is also the first country songwriter whose songs were consistently recorded with commercial success by artists in the "pop" field. Tony Bennett's first number-one record, for example, was "Cold, Cold Heart," a Hank Williams composition. In this paper I plan to discuss William's role as a popular songwriter, exploring the differences that his songs highlight between the pop and country genres. I also plan to discuss the ultimate significance of the bridge that Williams built between the two genres. Williams' achievement in breaking through to the mainstream national market has long been celebrated by the country music industry, but, ironically, it might inadvertently have helped lead to the "watering down" of country music that many traditional-minded fans loudly lament today.

Comments

Presented in the Third Plenary Session: American Popular Music Goes Country

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Nov 14th, 10:00 AM

Building Bridges: Hank Williams and the Hit Parade

Hank Williams is widely considered to be the greatest songwriter in the history of country music. He is also the first country songwriter whose songs were consistently recorded with commercial success by artists in the "pop" field. Tony Bennett's first number-one record, for example, was "Cold, Cold Heart," a Hank Williams composition. In this paper I plan to discuss William's role as a popular songwriter, exploring the differences that his songs highlight between the pop and country genres. I also plan to discuss the ultimate significance of the bridge that Williams built between the two genres. Williams' achievement in breaking through to the mainstream national market has long been celebrated by the country music industry, but, ironically, it might inadvertently have helped lead to the "watering down" of country music that many traditional-minded fans loudly lament today.

 
 

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