An Evening of Latin Music

The song I have chosen to describe is How Insensitive by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The music during this performance had a lot of accent in all the instruments. The electric guitar's dynamics were full force between loud and soft and bending of pitches. The drums were somewhat quasipulsitile at times but made for a great mixture of beats. It made for a very jazz-like Cuban sound. The performers were beyond amazing. Instead of playing their individual instruments, they listened for one another's. They played together as if it were just one sound. Each performer played with emotion that came from within deep inside them. Unfortunately, some of the audience was restless or did not appriciate the type of music the performers were producing. Personally, I felt it took me to somewhere in Latin America. The time was very swift moving throughout each instrument and the space made it to where the guitar was front and center with the percussion being right there next to it. The bass, being the underlying part, was placed behind the guitarist.

Texas Country Music

I have a chosen to research the Texas Country music and focus on the influences of Pat Green. Texas Country is considered a sub-genre of country music that has Texas roots. The separate local culture is located in the Fort Worth Stockyards where "Billy Bob's" is one of the world's largest honkytonks. One of the main elements in Texas Country music are the unique dancehalls in the small country towns. Billy Bob's allows a diverse type of people from the true cowboys to those teens that just like the artist or Texas Country music itself. It has been described by some people as "its own little world.

Pat Green was born in San Antonio, grew up in Waco, and went to college at Texas Tech in Lubbock where he started his music career in learning to play the acoustic guitar. His influences on his country career include some of the earlier famous Texas Country artists like Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, and Jerry Jeff Walker. As far as his interest in any type of music, his influence was the wide range between Eightys music, best of Motown, to a little classical music.

I hope to learn a lot more about the Texas Country music culture, and deeper into the influences on Pat Green's music career.

Wave On Wave by Pat Green

Good Ole Country Boy

I have been listening to country music my entire life. This music culture is either loved or hated. Those who do love the genre are very loyal which make for amazing concerts. Country has many diverse sub-generes. The main ones that have influenced my life are classic country, pop country, country rock, and Texas country.

Classic country are songs that have the classic acoustic guitar with very good vocals. Some classic country artists include Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and "The King of Country", George Strait.

George Strait

Pop country songs are what you will hear a lot on the radio today. Most country artists today are moving towards this sub-genre which usually consists of having an electric guitar and bass in the band. Popular pop country artists today include Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Rascal Flatts who have won the Country Music Award's "Vocalist Group of the Year" award 6 years in a row.

Carrie Underwood

Country rock are those few hits you hear from big artists that are considered in the classic rock genre. The Eagles hits of Hotel California and Desperado contain the main element of the acoustic guitar.

Texas country is probably the most fun to listen to. It features artists that have grown up in Texas for the most part. The music has elements of Texas roots and the Texas fan base feel a close connection to these artists. Some popular Texas country artists are Pat Green and Eli Young Band.

Unfortunately, country music in general has a bad connection or connotation with alcohol. Some songs may reference it a little or a lot, but there are just as many songs out there that have this close connection with God and give off a Christian message. On top of the inspirational/Christianity background, the vocals of top artists today are one of the best in all music which contributes to the rise in this culture. The laid back nature of country songs has influenced me by living my life very relaxed. At the same time, some of these songs can be very upbeat and put a little pep in anyone's step.