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Local Music
As our world becomes more global, people can listen to other countries' music easily. These days, Chinese and Americans share each other's music. Have you ever listened to American music? Are you familiar with the many types of music created in the USA? You might be familiar with Rock, Hip-Hop, or Rhythm and Blues. When you listen to American music, you can understand some things about American culture because music expresses people's emotions and feelings. Music can also reflect society. Various kinds of music exist in America. Charlotte has its own popular music genres.
Music Genres
Americana is a popular music genre in North Carolina. Americana is a loose subset of American roots music that is perhaps best defined as "classic American music." This genre mixes bluegrass, roots rock, blues and country. To understand true Americana check out the musical styles of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, who are originators of Americana. This genre is also heavily influenced by Johnny Cash and Townes Van Zandt.
Beach music is another regionally popular genre. Beach music combines many music styles, including Rhythm and Blues, Soul Music and a little bit of Disco. It is a tame version of aggressive Rhythm and Blues. People typically dance the Shag to Beach music. Shag dancing is sort of a lazy jitterbug. If you watch the dancers' fluent movements, you will be fascinated by it.
Country music is a genre specially popular to Charlotte and the Southern part of the United States. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy the Country genre. Country is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States. It takes it roots from traditional folk music. Country music speaks to a particular way of life. Country songs generally teach values about working hard and enjoying your life. Country is so popular in Charlotte that there is a bar dedicated to the 揅ountry way of life." Coyote Joe's features exclusively Country music and plays of Western themes such as bull riding. There is a mechanical bull inside Coyote Joes participants may ride for fun. Jake Thornton, who visited Coyote Joe's, a popular Country nightclub in Charlotte, said "Country music is my life and style. This music is more conservative and more family. I like the messages in the song and dance!"
Bluegrass music is famous around North Carolina, especially in the nearby mountain areas. Bluegrass is a form of American music with roots in Irish, Scottish and English traditional music. The first Bluegrass music, played by Bill Monroe (known in the US as "the father of Bluegrass"), was recorded in Charlotte. Traditionally, Bluegrass relies mostly on acoustic stringed instruments and rarely uses electrical instruments. However, modern Bluegrass bands sometimes use both. The music is performed with banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and occasionally drum. Bluegrass music festivals are very popular in throughout North Carolina.
Three Local Bands In Charlotte
Many local bands are performing vigorously in Charlotte. Among them, the Bill Noonan Band, David Childers and the Modern Don Juans, and the Avett Brothers are respected and loved bands by many people. Bill Noonan has been a mentor to many a local musician since his days at the helm of the Rank Outsiders, and his own music has been critically acclaimed throughout the world. David Childers and MDJ have played a great deal in Charlotte over the last several years. They have been extremely well received in Europe and critics up and down the East Coast adore them. Unfortunately, they have a plan to take extended break beginning in 2008. The Avett Brothers are on the cusp of national success with their innovative "ravegrass" (bluegrass+punk) style.
Learn more by going to these web sites and listening to these great Charlotte-based bands.
Bill Noonan Band
Genre: Roots Music / Americana
Band Members: Bill Noonan - Guitar & Vocals
Bill Walpole - Pedal Steel & Slide Guitar
Ray Mitchell - Drums & Vocals
David Kroening - Bass
Listen:
She Only Comes Around When The Moon Is Full.mp3 and
Get Off My Land.mp3
David Childers & The Modern Don Juans
Genre: Rock / Country / Punk
Band Members: David Childers - Vocals & Flat-top box
Robert Childers - Drums
Mark Lynch - Bass owner & yelling in the background
Randy Saxon - Guitar or anything with strings & high harmonies
Avett Brothers
Genre: Folk Rock (Cross between Bluegrass and Punk)
Band Members: Scott Avett - Vocals & Banjo & Kick Drum
Seth Avett - Vocals & Guitar & High-Hat
Bob Crawford - Vocals & Bass
Listen:
Shame.mp3
Music Clubs
The Evening Muse
The Evening Muse is considered by some people in Charlotte to be one of the best live-music venues in the Southeast. The Evening Muse emphasizes acoustic music and has various events and concerts. Listeners hear music from accomplished local and regional bands. The club is opened to all ages of people and offers snacks and drinks. This place is a small venue that can be hold about 120 people, so people can easily see the bands and enjoy their music! Website: www.theeveningmuse.com
Double Door Inn
The Double Door Inn is a famous Blues club with an excellent national reputation. Since it opened in December 1973, the Double Door Inn has hosted many local, regional and national music groups. Many Charlotte musicians have performed actively here for years. Eric Clapton took the stage at the Double Door Inn with the Legendary Blues Band in the early 1980s. Website: www.doubledoorinn.com
Milestone
As an alternative club, the Milestone is Charlotte's true underground music club. Also, it is one of the oldest clubs in Charlotte, opened since 1969. It has been owned and operated by musicians for over a year. At the Milestone, people can listen to diverse music genres from rock, punk and metal to acoustic, Americana and country. Website: www.themilestoneclub.com
The Charlotte Music Awards
The Charlotte Music Awards organization was created in September 2006. It has an annual Awards ceremony and hosts monthly concerts. The first awards ceremony was held in September 2007. As a Hollywood-style ceremony, artists were awarded in a variety of categories across a range of musical genres. The Charlotte Music Awards showcases all aspects of music in Charlotte and the Carolinas. The Awards contribute to improving the profile of the music community in the region and supporting and honoring local music and local artists. Charlotte Music Awards is associated with the L.A. (Los Angeles) Music Awards, which is the biggest and longest-running organization supporting independent music in history. Website: www.charlottemusicawards.org