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The Phonograph
While working on improvements to the telegraph and the telephone, Thomas Edison came across an amazing invention, the Phonograph. In 1877, Edison figured out a way to record sound on tinfoil-coated cylinders, and soon after created a machine that could be used for recordings and playbacks. This machine would later change the face of music forever. -
Carnegie Hall
Originally known as the Recital Hall, Carnegie hall was the first auditorium to be open to the public.After the Civil War, Americans became transfixed with music. This created a need for a suitable concert, and arose came the construction of Carnegie Hall Throughout its lifetime, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for music excellence as the destination for the world's finest artists. Carnegie Hall is not only known for its beauty and history, but also for its fine acoustics -
Bob Wills
James Wills was born on 3/6/1905 in Texas. He was an American Western swing musician,songwriter,and bandleader. He was known to be the co-founder of Western Swing,but advertised himself as the King.Wills created several bands and played radio stations around the South and West until he formed the Texas Playboys. Together Wills and the band created many hit songs including, "New San Antonio Rose".In 1986 he was inducted in The Country Music Hall of Fame and then into The R&R Hall of Fame in 1999. -
Memphis Blues
The memphis blues is a type of blues music created from the 1910s to the 1930s. Its was created by musicians in the Memphis area like Frank Stokes, Sleepy John Estes, Furry Lewis and Memphis Minnie. Memphis blues was popular in vaudeville and medicine shows. William Christopher Handy wrote a song in September 1912 and has been recorded by many artists over the years. -
W.C. Handy, A.K.A.- The Father of Blues
On September 28,1912, the publication of William Christopher Handy's "Memphis Blues" changed the course of American popular song. Handy introduced an African-American folk tradition(the blues), into mainstream music. By the 1960's the blues sound had significantly influenced the development of jazz and rock and roll, important forms of American music. -
Ralph Peer
Ralph Sylvester Peer was born in 1892 in Kansas, Missouri. He was a early businessman in country music. At 18, he worked for the Columbia Phonograph Company and in 1919 he was hired by OKeh Records in New York to assist production director Fred Hagar. Peer later on created a popular interest in "race music" and searched for many black artists such as Bessie Smith.Among the successful country artists, Peer discovered, recorded, and managed Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. -
Louis Armstrong
Born on August 4, 1901 and died on July 6,1971.
Louis Daniel Armstrong, also known as Pops,was an American trumpeter,composer,actor,and singer. Coming from a section so poor that it was nicknamed "The Battlefield" in New Orleans, Armstrong became was one of the most influential figures in Jazz, producing music for more than 4 decades. Captivating young musicians with his daring trumpet style and unique vocals, Armstrong created songs like "Star Dust," "La Vie en Rose"and 'What a Wonderful World. -
Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs was born on 1/6/1924 NC. He was known as an American musician noted for popularizing a three-finger banjo picking style,now known as "Scruggs Style",a type of playing style that defies the characteristics of bluegrass music.His three-finger style of playing was extremely different form the ways of the five-string banjo,a type of style that had been played for hundreds of years.Along with his crafty picking style,Earl Scruggs also released Foggy Mountain Breakdown;famous song in 1949 -
EthelWaters
Ethel Waters was born on 10/31/1896 and died on 9/1/1977. Waters was an American singer and actress. She frequently preformed jazz,big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts. Before she developed into this amazing type of actress and singer, she originally began her career in the 1920 singing blues. Although Ethel Waters is one of the most outstanding blues singers in history, the Depression finish off the Classic Blues Era. Waters first song was "Dinah", recorded by CR-1925. -
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stave in Nashville, Tennessee founded on November 18, 1925 by George Hay. It is the longest running radio broadcast in US history. The Grand Ole Opry originally started as the WSM Barn Dance and then began a program featuring "Dr. Humphrey Bate and his string quartet of old-time musicians". Some bands who were regularly on the show were Bill Monroe, the Possum Hunters, the Fruit Jar Drinkers with Uncle Dave Macon and many more. -
Jimmie Rodgers
Born in 1897 in Mississippi, Jimmie Rodgers was a country singer,blues and folk singer,songwriter, and musician who became famous for his style of yodeling. Throughout his career, he produced several hit singles including, "Sleep,Baby,Sleep" and "Blue Yodel(T is for Texas)." Later in his career he preformed with Jazz musician, Louis Armstrong and became known as the Father Of Country Music. -
Magnetic Tape Recorder
After World War II, magnetic tape recorders were increasingly used to record master tapes from which records were pressed. One of the advantages that came along with tape recording was the ability to edit the tape. Engineers could now construct a new version of a song by splicing two or more separate takes together, eliminating any mistakes that may have been present in the original takes. This was a giant leap forward for recording artists, who previously had to strive for the perfect take. -
Blind Lemon Jefferson
(Born on September 24,1893 and died on December 19,1929) Lemon Henry, better known as "Blind Lemon Jefferson" was an BLIND American blues and gospel singer, musician, and songwriter. Known for his high pitched voice and original guitar playing Jefferson had a very distinct sound.Although Jefferson was not a strong influence on younger blues singers of his generation he was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920's and is often referred to as the "Father of the Texas Blues." -
Louis Jordan
Born on July 8, 1908, Louis Jordan was a pioneering American musician, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from late 1930s to the early 150s. Louis Jordan started performing with the Clarence Williams ban in 1932 and played the clarinet in Philadelphia in the Charlie Gaines band. He was known as "The King of the Jukebox" and was popular for both white and black audiences. He was one of the most successful African-American musicians in the 20th century. -
Lead Belly
Born on January 20, 1888, Huddie William Ledbetter, known as Lead Belly was an American folk and blues musician. His songs covered a wide range of topics from gospel music to prison life. He played a twelve-string guitar, but also played the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and windjammer. July 1934, Lead Belly recorded hundreds of songs. -
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was born on April 15, 1894 and died on September 26,1937. Smith was an American blues singer. She was known as the "Empress of the Blues" for her amazing vocals and tone. She was one of the most popular female blues singers of the 1920's and 1930's. She is often referred to as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major role model and influence on jazz sings and the music world today. Some of her famous hits include, "Black Water Blues" and "After You've Gone". -
Muddy Waters- McKinley Morganfield
Mckinley Morganfield was born on April 4, 1913 and was given the name "Muddy Waters" because he played in the swampy puddles of the Mississippi River when he was a child. Muddy Waters is an American blues singer-songwriter. His big break was in 1943 when he moved to Chicago, Illinois. By 1946 he was so popular, he was recording with big companies like RCA. -
7-inch 45 rpm
A year after Columbia released the 12-inch 33-1/3 rpm LP format in 1948, the 7-inch 45 rpm format was released by RCA victor. RCA Victors format provided an increased playing time of music per side, and was made to be less breakable and easier distributed. RCA also introduced a low cost portable turntable that included an attachment enabling several 45's to be stacked,allowing the listen a sequence of uninterrupted songs to play. -
Rollin' Stone
"Rollin' Stone" is a blues song recorded by Muddy Waters in 1950. This song was one of the first songs that Muddy Waters learned to play and an early favorite. Its a mid to stow tempo blues and is a solo performance by Muddy Water on vocal and electric guitar. Rollin' Stone was the first son released on Chess Records for Muddy Waters and sold about 70,000 copies. The group Rolling Stones and the magazine, Rolling Stones both took their name from the song. -
Elvis Presley
Born on January 8, 1935, died August 17,1977.
Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. His music career began in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips. Through his producer, Presley became a fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. After Sun Records, Presley went to RCA Victor where he would later release number one hits in the US. Known as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll".
