The Bristol Sessions: Writings About the Big Bang of Country Music

by Ted Olson (Editor), Charles K. Wolfe (Editor)

In the summer of 1927, nineteen bands gathered for a recording session in Bristol, on the Tennessee-Virginia border, including some of the most influential names in American music--the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Stoneman and more. Organized by Ralph Peer for Victor records to capitalize on the popularity of "hillbilly" music, the Bristol sessions were a key moment in country music's evolution. The musicians played a variety of styles largely endemic to the Appalachian region. Rather than attempting to record purely traditional sounds, however, Peer sought a combination of musical elements, an amalgam that would form the backbone of modern country music. The reverberations of the Bristol sessions are still felt today, yet their influence is widely misunderstood, and popular accounts of the event are more legend than history. These 19 essays offer an examination and reevaluation of the Bristol sessions--from their germination, to the actual sessions, to their place in history and their continuing influence. The first section discusses technological advances that resulted in the unmatched quality of the Bristol recordings. The second section chronicles the people and musical acts involved in the event. The third section gives first-hand accounts of the Bristol sessions, while the fourth presents musicological studies of two of the prominent acts. The final section details subsequent recording sessions in Bristol and nearby Johnson City, and explores the lasting local musical legacy. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may .

Genres: Music, History, Essays

306 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2005

Reviews

[Mark Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic book about the "Big Bang that created recorded Country Music in the USA. the time and technology were right. The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers light up the airwaves. well worth the read and a must read for a student of music industry.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

In particular, liked the diversity of topics covered by the articles presented in this volume on the Bristol Sessions. Appreciated the hands-on history of tracking down the story of artists who recorded at Bristol but did not become nearly as famous as the Carters or Jimmie Rodgers, as well as the articles on the said Father & the First Family of Country. Also, enjoyed the first-person narratives.

[Peter Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays about a series of recordings made in the small Southern city of Bristol, on the TN/VA border in 1927, that brought Country Music out of the Appalachian hills into the American mainstream.