Nashville is often crowned as the capital of country music in American popular culture. While this is true, there is another place in Tennessee where this piece of Americana got its roots. The Music We Call Country is a documentary by Greg Gross, who invites audiences to learn about country music’s origins and its first stars. Country music originally began as ethnic music from European settlers. The English would sing ballads while the Irish performed fiddle music. In the days before records and radio, music was a way for families and communities to entertain themselves.
Country music was born in Bristol, and from a geographic perspective, it was placed in a perfect spot. It was one of the few industrialized cities in the Appalachian region, equipped with a railroad and electricity. This genre was integrated into early 19th-century popular culture when most record companies were featuring upper-class music. Opera and classical music were dominant until music producer Ralph Peer changed the game. He worked independently by bringing in African-American artists, and he eventually incorporated local talent from the Bristol region.
“…country music’s origins and its first stars.”
There were many early country music artists, but the most famous was Jimmie Rodgers. Rodgers worked for many years in his father’s train company, and that all changed once he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Thanks to his time on the road, he acquired an interest and taste for performing music. After performing two radio sessions with Peer at RCA, he was on the rise to become country music’s first star. He would influence greats like Gene Autry, Elvis Presley, and Bob Dylan. Gross’s documentary also touches on the Carter family and their impact on the genre.
Tightly edited by Marshal Hunter, The Music We Call Country features lighthearted narration by Eugene Wolf. Wolf strikes a balance between astuteness and folksy charm. The documentary efficiently intertwines various historical aspects, like the evolution of the phonograph. The interviewees paint a concise picture of country music in its many forms. Bristol comes to life as a distinct epicenter in the vast music industry and a place for communal tradition. For aspiring country music performers, Bristol is a rite of passage with educational workshops and jam sessions with seasoned musicians.
The documentary succeeds in its informational value and is a great tribute to Bristol! However, it misses a key component… the music. By not showcasing popular tunes by the featured artists, Gross’s film comes off a little dry. Despite this, it gives audiences an incentive to check out the material for themselves. The Music We Call Country is an eclectic piece for country music aficionados and enthusiasts of America’s cultural history.
"…gives audiences an incentive to check out the material for themselves."
