The
history of bluegrass music begins with the people who brought music
to America in the 1600s from Ireland, Scotland, and England. Their basic styles
of music are generally considered to be the roots of today's modern bluegrass.
As Jamestown settlers began to move to the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Virginia, and West Virginia, they wrote songs about day-to-day life in their
new homeland. Since most of these people lived in rural areas, the songs reflected
life on the farm or in the hills. This music was referred to as country music
or mountain music.
Unlike country, bluegrass singing is usually high-pitched in the style of
Bill Monroe, "The Father of Bluegrass" originated the "high, lonesome sound"
enjoyed by many to this day.
The word "bluegrass" itself was used to identify this form of music started
in the late 1950s and was believed to be derived from the name of the seminal
Blue Grass Boys band, formed in 1939 with Bill Monroe as its leader.
Another
unique attribute of bluegrass is the tradition of soloing, or "passing a break."
Anyone with an instrument is invited to take a turn soloing, no matter their
age or expertise.
In the 1960s, the concept of the “bluegrass festival” was first introduced,
featuring multiple bands. Carlton Haney, from Reidsville, North Carolina is
credited with envisioning and producing the first weekend-long bluegrass music
festival, which was held in Fincastle, Virginia in 1965.
The availability of traditional music broadcasting and recording, nationwide
bluegrass festivals, and movie, television, and commercial soundtracks featuring
bluegrass music have helped to share the music with many fans worldwide.
In addition to the classic style born in 1945 that is widely performed, bluegrass
bands today reflect influences from traditional and fusion jazz, contemporary
country music, Celtic music, rock & roll (“newgrass” or progressive bluegrass),
old-time music, and Southern gospel music.
-Derived from many sources