7.2 The Nashville sound and honky-tonk

The Nashville Sound emerged in the 1950s as a polished, commercial style of country music. It featured smooth vocals, lush orchestration, and pop-influenced arrangements, aiming to broaden country's appeal and compete with rock and roll.

Honky-tonk, in contrast, predated the Nashville Sound with its raw, unpolished style. While honky-tonk focused on themes of heartbreak and hard living, the Nashville Sound sanitized lyrics for broader appeal, reflecting the changing landscape of country music.

Nashville Sound Characteristics

Musical Elements and Production Techniques

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• Emerged in mid-1950s as polished, commercial style of country music
• Characterized by smooth vocals, lush orchestration, and pop-influenced arrangements
• Incorporated string sections and background vocals (barbershop quartet-style harmonies)
• Eliminated traditional country instruments (fiddles, steel guitars, banjos)
• Utilized innovative production techniques (echo, reverb, double-tracking)
• Employed session musicians known as the "A-Team" for consistent sound (Hank Garland, Bob Moore)

Commercial Impact and Industry Changes

• Developed to broaden country music's appeal and compete with rock and roll
• Increased mainstream popularity and commercial success, particularly in urban markets
• Led to creation of "countrypolitan" subgenre (Glen Campbell, Charlie Rich)
• Influenced production techniques and business practices of country music industry
• Centralized much of recording process in Nashville, Tennessee
• Established Nashville as "Music City, USA" and major recording center

Nashville Sound vs Honky-Tonk

Musical Style and Production Differences

• Honky-tonk predates Nashville Sound, characterized by raw, unpolished sound
• Nashville Sound deliberately created to be refined and radio-friendly
• Honky-tonk instrumentation includes steel guitar, fiddle, honky-tonk piano
• Nashville Sound replaced traditional instruments with orchestral arrangements
• Honky-tonk recordings feature simpler, less polished production
• Nashville Sound utilized highly produced, layered recording techniques

Thematic and Performance Contrasts

• Honky-tonk themes focus on heartbreak, drinking, hard living (Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart")
• Nashville Sound featured sanitized, universally appealing themes (Jim Reeves' "He'll Have to Go")
• Honky-tonk associated with live performances in bars and dance halls
• Nashville Sound geared towards radio play and broader commercial success
• Honky-tonk lyrics more direct and gritty (Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You")
• Nashville Sound often employed metaphors and softer language (Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces")

Nashville Sound and Honky-Tonk Artists

Key Nashville Sound Artists

• Patsy Cline pioneered the Nashville Sound for female artists ("Crazy", "Walkin' After Midnight")
• Jim Reeves known for his smooth baritone voice ("Four Walls", "Welcome to My World")
• Eddy Arnold transitioned from traditional country to Nashville Sound ("Make the World Go Away")
• The Everly Brothers incorporated Nashville Sound elements in rock and roll ("All I Have to Do Is Dream")
• Tammy Wynette embodied the countrypolitan style ("Stand By Your Man")

Influential Honky-Tonk Artists

• Hank Williams defined the honky-tonk sound and themes ("I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry")
• Ernest Tubb known as the "Texas Troubadour" ("Thanks a Lot", "Waltz Across Texas")
• Lefty Frizzell influenced vocal styles in country music ("Long Black Veil")
• Kitty Wells, "The Queen of Country Music," broke barriers for women in honky-tonk ("It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels")
• George Jones started in honky-tonk before adapting to Nashville Sound ("He Stopped Loving Her Today")

Chet Atkins and the Nashville Sound

Production Techniques and Industry Influence

• Instrumental in developing and promoting Nashville Sound as RCA Victor producer/executive
• Introduced innovative production techniques (echo, reverb, layered recordings)
• Blended country elements with pop production, creating crossover hits
• Centralized production process in key Nashville studios (RCA Studio B)
• Collaborated with Owen Bradley to establish Nashville Sound dominance
• Shaped careers of numerous artists (Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson)

Musical Contributions and Legacy

• Guitar playing style characterized by clean, precise fingerpicking (influenced Nashville Sound instrumentals)
• Coined term "Country Politan" to describe the sophisticated Nashville Sound
• Received numerous accolades (14 Grammy Awards, Country Music Hall of Fame induction)
• Nicknamed "Mr. Guitar" for his influential playing style
• Produced and performed on countless hit records (over 100 hit singles as a producer)
• Helped establish Nashville as a major center for music production beyond country genre