LIB443
Country Music's Future: From Bakersfield and the Outlaws to New Country Sounds
While "classic" country music (1920s-1960s) forms the foundation upon which today's country music stands, the genre continues to evolve as new sounds and new influences take hold. We'll consider the many changes that country music has undergone since the 1970s, from the Bakersfield Sound to the Austin Sound to New Country. The influences of rock and roll, honky-tonk, western swing and blue grass all play a part in the emergence of "countrypolitan" and the era of modern country superstars.
A $50 discount will be applied automatically for adults 55+.
Overview
Location: Vancouver
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
- Wed, May 8, 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Wed, May 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Wed, May 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Wed, May 29, 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Wed, Jun 5, 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Wed, Jun 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
Course outline
- Week 1
The 1970s see the rise of the Bakersfield Sound, defined by influences of rock and roll and honky-tonk style country, and its heavy use of electric instrumentation and backbeats, with artists like Buck Owens and Waylon Jennings leading the way. It is also a reaction against the slickly produced, orchestra-laden Nashville Sound. - Week 2
Willie Nelson creates the Outlaw movement, or Austin Sound, exemplified in his album Wanted: The Outlaws, with vocals by Willie, Waylon and the Boys. Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Jr. also fit the Outlaw category with their 1970s recordings, and Dolly roars onto the scene. - Week 3
New Country, or “countrypolitan,” emerges, containing elements of western swing and bluegrass. Asleep at the Wheel personifies this sound, as do George Strait, Reba McEntire and Anne Murray. Ricky Skaggs infuses his New Country with driving bluegrass instrumentals and Country Music Television brings country stars right into your home. - Week 4
New voices like Charlie Pride, Clint Black and Steve Earle bring a different sound to the New Country, and groups like Alabama, The Oakridge Boys and The Desert Rose Band bring a different look to country music. - Week 5
The 1990s usher in new country superstars, as country music comes to the mega-concert hall, with Garth Brooks, The Judds, Shania Twain and Alan Jackson breaking all records for attendance and record sales for country music. - Week 6
While country music witnessed a great revival in the 1990s, the genre’s fan base had even more room to grow in the 2000s. Popular singing competition shows like American Idol and Nashville Star showcased the talents of small-town artists on television screens across North America and brought us artists like Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of the Nashville Sound, the Bakersfield Sound, the Austin Sound and the New Country Sounds
- Understand how expanding country music television programs shifted viewers away from Nashville to other locations where country music thrived
- Recognize the female country artist who changed the look of country music in the 1990s
How you will learn
- Lectures
- Participation in discussions
- Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
Handouts and other course resources will be available on Canvas, SFU’s online learning system.
To access the resources, you should be comfortable with:
- Using everyday software such as browsers, email and social media
- Navigating a website by clicking on links and finding pages in a menu
- Downloading and opening PDF documents