{"id":1408,"date":"2016-07-31T22:08:35","date_gmt":"2016-07-31T22:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusonthebackroads.com\/?p=1408"},"modified":"2016-07-31T22:08:35","modified_gmt":"2016-07-31T22:08:35","slug":"focus-on-the-backroads-texas-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusonthebackroads.com\/?p=1408","title":{"rendered":"FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: TEXAS MUSIC"},"content":{"rendered":"

When traveling the backroads of Texas you need a full tank (or two) of gas and some good old Texas Music<\/strong>! \u00a0Thank goodness for satellite radio. \u00a0Not only is Texas the birthplace of many great musicians, \u00a0the state has been in the center of the developments of many types of music including; Tejano, Western Swing, jazz, country, rock, gospel, hip-hop (not to sure about how proud we are of that), and of last but surely not least The Blues.<\/p>\n

You can journey back to the early indian tribes that left evidence of percussion and wind instruments, possible influencing Jethro Tull, one of my favorite bands from the 70’s – but I doubt it. \u00a0Early Spanish conquistadors claimed the region that included what is now Texas, not only did they influence \u00a0music in the region also the\u00a0African slaves that they brought with them did also. \u00a0By the 1820’s Mexico had declared their independence from Spain and American settlers began coming to the area – these immigrants brought Czech, German, Polish, French and other culture’s \u00a0influences to the region’s music. \u00a0The accordion had the greatest influence on early Texas music as it still does today. \u00a0This instrument was adopted by many of the musicians in this melting pot of musical change – most notably by the Mexican population.<\/p>\n

Until the mid 1800’s slavery was legal in Texas. \u00a0Many of the early plantations were located in East Texas. \u00a0Slave work songs were the beginning of Texas blues. \u00a0As this form of music was developing on these plantations in other parts of the region folks would meet in local community centers and dance halls to enjoy music and dances from their homeland. \u00a0As these different cultures began to melt together a truly Texas sound resulted \u00a0– \u00a0Texas Swing and country music. \u00a0Bands would travel through the regions and these dance hall became the social center for all the local folks. \u00a0Over time many new instruments were added \u00a0– where would country music be without the Steel Guitar!<\/p>\n

Hollywood definitely had a great influence on the awareness of Texas music with the birth of the “singing cowboy” traveling down those happy trails. \u00a0Later the music started to adopt a more modern sound as country, blues, jazz, and other forms of music began influencing each other – this lead the birth of Honky Tonk, R&B, and OUTLAW COUNTRY!<\/p>\n

ROCK AND ROLL – Texas artist were in the right there in the middle of it. \u00a0One of the first \u00a0rock and roll records, ROCK AWHILE, was recored in Houston in 1949 by Goree Carter who was born and raised there.<\/p>\n

Texas has and continues to influence music – from primitive tribal beginning, early settlements social gathering, to current major venue events. \u00a0The people who have contributed are to many to mention; a few are:<\/p>\n