Traditional Bluegrass Music.....

Bluegrass music is a sub-genre of classic American country, but has roots in Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and English traditional music, and is influenced by the music of immigrants from the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as jazz and blues. This is where the acoustic string instruments, such as the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, upright bass, and acoustic guitar, became very popular. It began in the mid-1940s, only recorded after World War II because of "war rationing." Today Bill Monroe is referred to as the "founding father" of bluegrass music; the bluegrass style was named for his band, the Blue Grass Boys, formed in 1939. Bluegrass started in the rural areas of the country, meant for the popular buckdancing, flat-footing, or clogging dances, but became an instant hit and spread radically to the urban areas soon after. Again, because of war rationing, this genre of music could be played anywhere, and by anyone. It frowned upon the use of electricity, and therefore did not use electric instruments, making it easy and affordable for everyday people to play. Many legendary bluegrass singers and bands have been inducted into country's Grand Ole Opry, which has been around since 1925, and is the oldest continuous radio program/television show in the United States. Bluegrass isn't a popular genre anymore, but it sure is appreciated and respected in country music today. It produced great country music in its time, and continued to pave the way for today's style of country music. A fun movie that depicts this time period and genre of music was filmed in 2000, starring George Clooney, called "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" In the movie, Clooney's character records a bluegrass song, which has since become a hit with all music lovers across the country. Click on this link to check it out!

Playlist: Songs 67-71