When you think about country music, what comes to mind? I’m pretty sure the impact of black culture doesn’t come to mind – but it most definitely should.
Many probably think of white guys strumming their guitars singing about heartbreak, love and toughness. Or, they think of people wearing cowboy boots and hats while drinking beer. Maybe they think of singing with some twang in their voice?
Country stars that often come to mind are legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Shania Twain, as well as the new generation of country stars, such as Morgan Wallen and Teddy Swims.
However, despite its image, country music has a deep, rich history in the Black American community. There were a number of talented Black artists who made the genre what it is today who were (and still are) overshadowed by their white counterparts. Whether people want to believe it or not, country music always has been, and still is Black culture.
The Origins of Country Music
The origins of country music lie in its most important instrument, the banjo. It originated in Western Africa in the 17th century under a different name the Akonting. They were made of gourds, bamboo, wood and leather, and had three strings. When enslavement began, the instruments also came along. This instrument was used to create all kinds of music — hymns, spirituals and field songs. The banjo became associated with enslaved people, and the white man wouldn’t dare touch something like that.
In addition, the violin, also known as the fiddle, was adopted by enslaved people in the 1690s when white masters made the enslaved learn and play the violin for entertainment. But over time, they would create new patterns and sounds with the violin, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Using the traditional American music they learned—along with African patterns and with the help of the banjo—the music eventually turned into the creation of folk and bluegrass. This music style was very prominent in the South, especially in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the style also leads to the creation of minstrel shows.
Appropriation
Popular in the 1850s, minstrel shows were racial and satirical performances that mocked Black people and their culture through music and dance. The banjo was one of the show’s primary instruments. Minstrel shows introduced banjos to a white audience in a “palatable” way. White artists quickly adopted the banjo, laying the foundation for hillbilly music, referred to today as country music.
Hillbilly music got its name as it was made in the South and marketed towards rural white Southerners. It was influenced by folk, bluegrass and fiddle music, and became synonymous with white American culture despite Black artists being the inspiration.
The genre originally took off in the early 20th century. White artists like Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, and Roy Acuff were very popular during this time.
Whether it was the banjo, field songs, or even hymns, Black influences were embedded into country music. In the 1920s and 1930s, there were almost 50 collaborations between Black and white country artists, with some Black artists not even receiving credit for their work.
Country music’s landscape grew after World War I due to big record labels wanting to sell country music. The divide between Black and white artists and audiences grew exponentially as a result.
Record companies made “Race records” to market to Black people, assuming that people bought and listened to music based on race while hiding the fact that recording sessions were integrated. They were made to separate Black and white artists. There was an emphasis on associating genres like jazz and the blues with Black people while making country palatable to white audiences.
This change effectively erased Black people from country music’s landscape, branding the country genre as white music. White country artists would continue their dominance over the genre, spawning hit after hit while ignoring the Black artists—who made the genre—credits and influence.
Black people have earned a spotlight so here is a highlight of several foundational Black country stars that you should know.
Lesley Riddle
Lesley Riddle was a Black guitarist who influenced country music stars the Carter family, who are known as “The first family of country music.” He was also a folklorist, a blues and gospel artist. He had an accident that injured two fingers and developed a revolutionary new guitar-picking style that changed country music.
DeFord Bailey
Deford Bailey was the first Black artist to play at the Grand Ole Opry, the biggest country stage in the United States, on June 19, 1926. He was a Black harmonica player and descended to enslaved grandparents. Starting in 1927, He was frequently on Nashville radio station WSM’s Barn Dance and performed renditions of “The Fox Chase” and “Pan American Blues.”
His race was kept from his radio audience, and when he went on tour to the Opry, he had to stay in separate lodging due to Jim Crow laws. He was then fired in 1941 with the Opry’s founder saying of him, “Like some members of his race and other races, DeFord was lazy.”
Charley Pride
Charley Pride is often referred to as the first Black mainstream country artist. He was the first Black person inducted into the Country Hall of Fame. He has had various hits, broke through racial barriers, and became the second Black artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in 1993.
He serves as an inspiration and guide for Black country artists to this day.
Gus Cannon
Gus Cannon popularized the jug bands in the 1920s, which were an integral part of early country music. The term came from building a band around jug players using homemade instruments from everyday objects like earthware and glass. The bands usually consisted of guitars, banjos, and percussion and were a mixture of blues, ragtime and jazz.
At the age of 12, he taught himself the banjo using a banjo he made with raccoon skin and a frying pan while learning from guitarist Alec Lee. He formed his jug band in Memphis, Tennessee, and from there, they toured the country. Johnny Cash, who was influenced by Cannon’s playstyle, would go on to be considered one of the best country artists ever.
Ray Charles
Ray Charles created a revolutionary blend of R&B, pop and country music — ushering in a new sound and a new era for the country genre while aiding in the integration of the genre and gaining ownership of his music. In the 1960s, he started to focus on making music for the Civil Rights movement. His album “Modern Sounds of Country and Western Music” was released in the summer of 1962.
Linda Martell
Linda Martell was the first commercially successful Black woman in the country world. She was also the first solo black female country star to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. Her first album, “Color Me Country,” was released in 1970. While it was successful, she faced misogynoir that led to her being effectively blacklisted from the genre. Her career got a second life when she was featured on “Cowboy Carter” by Beyoncé. Linda is the blueprint for many Black women in country music, despite the genre continuing to exclude their excellence and dedication.
To this day, country music has tons of Black contributions and influences, yet many white people believe Black people have never made country music. This still happens today with Shaboozey and Beyoncé.
White people did not create country music, but have essentially claimed it as their music despite Black people essentially creating the genre. Since then, there’s been barely any mention of Black influence or impact of the genre.
Black people created country music; it’s time for people to put away their prejudice and embrace its true history.
