Disciplines
Musicology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
On September 11th, 2001, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were struck by hijacked airplanes in a terrorist attack. The result of the attack spurred an overwhelming sense of despair and anger across the nation, leading to the resurgence of nationalist and patriotic themes in music. Since Country music serves as a tool to express unity, nostalgia, and the struggles of the working class, many turned to it to provide comfort. The theme of unity and struggle mixed with the resurrection of patriotism launched a new age in Country music with the creation of the Country Music Anthem.
The presentation examines the Country Music Anthem along with the public’s response to its creation. While many musicians thrived in the new age of Country, those who were against the rise of anger-fueled Nationalism were criticized and outcast. The Country music blacklist is best represented by the public feud between The Chicks and Toby Keith, showcasing the rift between Old Country and Nationalist Country. Along with the cause and result of the Country Music Anthem, the presentation analyzes the death of the era and Country Music’s tendency to shift towards the majority ideologies of the American population. The birth and death of the Country Anthem highlights Country music’s life-long search for the nature of its genre and the industry’s continuation of redefinition and introspection.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
COTA - Music
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Edward Eanes
Included in
Singing for the Red, White, and Blue: Nationalism in Country Music after 9/11
On September 11th, 2001, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were struck by hijacked airplanes in a terrorist attack. The result of the attack spurred an overwhelming sense of despair and anger across the nation, leading to the resurgence of nationalist and patriotic themes in music. Since Country music serves as a tool to express unity, nostalgia, and the struggles of the working class, many turned to it to provide comfort. The theme of unity and struggle mixed with the resurrection of patriotism launched a new age in Country music with the creation of the Country Music Anthem.
The presentation examines the Country Music Anthem along with the public’s response to its creation. While many musicians thrived in the new age of Country, those who were against the rise of anger-fueled Nationalism were criticized and outcast. The Country music blacklist is best represented by the public feud between The Chicks and Toby Keith, showcasing the rift between Old Country and Nationalist Country. Along with the cause and result of the Country Music Anthem, the presentation analyzes the death of the era and Country Music’s tendency to shift towards the majority ideologies of the American population. The birth and death of the Country Anthem highlights Country music’s life-long search for the nature of its genre and the industry’s continuation of redefinition and introspection.