History of Country Music in Oregon

Because of my interest in Oregon and my love for country music I was excited to see the video lecture by Peter Blecha in which he gives an overview of country music in the region. He starts by explaining how folk songs were brought out by settlers and instruments by pioneers of the Oregon Trail. After that there were military bands which brought brass instruments to the west. In the early 1900's small groups were forming using string instruments. Blecha describes the Happy Hayseeds as the first string band on the west coast. Harry Maclintock was another string player known for his activism throughout the region. Many of the early country musicians were members of the wobbly activist group. Woody Guthrie also made appearances in Portland and in 1941 recorded about 40 songs there. In the 1940's radio stations started playing large amounts of country music in the region. Dallas Turner a country singer, also came from Oregon and went on to be nationally famous. It was extremely interesting to hear how music progressed from becoming a private industry to entering into new technologies like radio and television. Also Willie Nelson was a DJ at the radio station and recorded his first album in Portland titled "Ain't No Place for Me" (really cool!). He finishes by talking about contemporary country singers in Oregon such as Loretta Lynn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKWxsgWEMeo