In Tune

Charley Patton, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Roots of American Music

By Ben Wynne | Publisher: LSU Press

About the book

Born into poverty in Mississippi at the close of the nineteenth century, Charley Patton and Jimmie Rodgers established themselves among the most influential musicians of their era. In Tune tells the story of the parallel careers of these two pioneering recording artists -- one white, one black -- who moved beyond their humble origins to change the face of American music.

At a time when segregation formed impassable lines of demarcation in most areas of southern life, music transcended racial boundaries. Jimmie Rodgers and Charley Patton drew inspiration from musical traditions on both sides of the racial divide, and their songs about hard lives, raising hell, and the hope of better days ahead spoke to white and black audiences alike. Their music reflected the era in which they lived but evoked a range of timeless human emotions. As the invention of the phonograph disseminated traditional forms of music to a wider audience, Jimmie Rodgers gained fame as the \"Father of Country Music,\" while Patton's work eventually earned him the title \"King of the Delta Blues.\"

Patton and Rodgers both died young, leaving behind a relatively small number of recordings. Though neither remains well known to mainstream audiences, the impact of their contributions echoes in the songs of today. The first book to compare the careers of these two musicians, In Tune is a vital addition to the history of American music.

Editions of In Tune

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807157800
EBook
ISBN 9780807157824
EBook
ISBN 9780807157831
PDF
ISBN 9780807157817

Read an Excerpt

Born into poverty in Mississippi at the close of the nineteenth century, Charley Patton and Jimmie Rodgers established themselves among the most influential musicians of their era. In Tune tells the story of the parallel careers of these two pioneering recording artists -- one white, one black -- who moved beyond their humble origins to change the face of American music.

At a time when segregation formed impassable lines of demarcation in most areas of southern life, music transcended racial boundaries. Jimmie Rodgers and Charley Patton drew inspiration from musical traditions on both sides of the racial divide, and their songs about hard lives, raising hell, and the hope of better days ahead spoke to white and black audiences alike. Their music reflected the era in which they lived but evoked a range of timeless human emotions. As the invention of the phonograph disseminated traditional forms of music to a wider audience, Jimmie Rodgers gained fame as the \"Father of Country Music,\" while Patton's work eventually earned him the title \"King of the Delta Blues.\"

Patton and Rodgers both died young, leaving behind a relatively small number of recordings. Though neither remains well known to mainstream audiences, the impact of their contributions echoes in the songs of today. The first book to compare the careers of these two musicians, In Tune is a vital addition to the history of American music.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is In Tune about?

Born into poverty in Mississippi at the close of the nineteenth century, Charley Patton and Jimmie Rodgers established themselves among the most influential musicians of their era. In Tune tells the story of the parallel careers of these two pioneering recording artists -- one white, one black -- who moved beyond their humble origins to change the face of American music.

At a time when segregation formed impassable lines of demarcation in most areas of southern life, music transcended racial boundaries. Jimmie Rodgers and Charley Patton drew inspiration from musical traditions on both sides of the racial divide, and their songs about hard lives, raising hell, and the hope of better days ahead spoke to white and black audiences alike. Their music reflected the era in which they lived but evoked a range of timeless human emotions. As the invention of the phonograph disseminated traditional forms of music to a wider audience, Jimmie Rodgers gained fame as the \"Father of Country Music,\" while Patton's work eventually earned him the title \"King of the Delta Blues.\"

Patton and Rodgers both died young, leaving behind a relatively small number of recordings. Though neither remains well known to mainstream audiences, the impact of their contributions echoes in the songs of today. The first book to compare the careers of these two musicians, In Tune is a vital addition to the history of American music.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in In Tune?

The Arts > Music

Where can I read a sample of In Tune?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807157800

How long is In Tune and how many pages does it have?

In Tune has 296 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book In Tune?

Ben Wynne

Who is the Publisher of the book In Tune?

LSU Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

In Tune is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807157800) and ebook(ISBN 9780807157824) and ebook(ISBN 9780807157831) and pdf(ISBN 9780807157817)

Where can I buy In Tune online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy In Tune from below

Where can I buy In Tune?