About the book
Over the course of his long career, legendary bluesman William “Big Bill” Broonzy (1893–1958) helped shape the trajectory of the genre, from its roots in the rural Mississippi River Delta, through its rise as a popular genre in the North, to its eventual international acclaim. Along the way, Broonzy adopted an evolving personal and professional identity, tailoring his self-presentation to the demands of the place and time. His remarkable professional fluidity mirrored the range of expectations from his audiences, whose ideas about race, national belonging, identity, and the blues were refracted through Broonzy as if through a prism. Kevin D. Greene argues that Broonzy’s popular success testifies to his ability to navigate the cultural expectations of his different audiences. However, this constant reinvention came at a personal and professional cost. Using Broonzy’s multifaceted career, Greene situates blues performance at the center of understanding African American self-presentation and racial identity in the first half of the twentieth century.
Through Broonzy’s life and times, Greene assesses major themes and events in African American history, including the Great Migration, urbanization, and black expatriate encounters with European culture consumers. Drawing on a range of historical source materials as well as oral histories and personal archives held by Broonzy’s son, Greene perceptively interrogates how notions of race, gender, and audience reception continue to shape concepts of folk culture and musical authenticity.
Editions of The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469646480
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469646497
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469646510
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469646503
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890844545
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890844538
Read an Excerpt
Over the course of his long career, legendary bluesman William “Big Bill” Broonzy (1893–1958) helped shape the trajectory of the genre, from its roots in the rural Mississippi River Delta, through its rise as a popular genre in the North, to its eventual international acclaim. Along the way, Broonzy adopted an evolving personal and professional identity, tailoring his self-presentation to the demands of the place and time. His remarkable professional fluidity mirrored the range of expectations from his audiences, whose ideas about race, national belonging, identity, and the blues were refracted through Broonzy as if through a prism. Kevin D. Greene argues that Broonzy’s popular success testifies to his ability to navigate the cultural expectations of his different audiences. However, this constant reinvention came at a personal and professional cost. Using Broonzy’s multifaceted career, Greene situates blues performance at the center of understanding African American self-presentation and racial identity in the first half of the twentieth century.
Through Broonzy’s life and times, Greene assesses major themes and events in African American history, including the Great Migration, urbanization, and black expatriate encounters with European culture consumers. Drawing on a range of historical source materials as well as oral histories and personal archives held by Broonzy’s son, Greene perceptively interrogates how notions of race, gender, and audience reception continue to shape concepts of folk culture and musical authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy about?
Over the course of his long career, legendary bluesman William “Big Bill” Broonzy (1893–1958) helped shape the trajectory of the genre, from its roots in the rural Mississippi River Delta, through its rise as a popular genre in the North, to its eventual international acclaim. Along the way, Broonzy adopted an evolving personal and professional identity, tailoring his self-presentation to the demands of the place and time. His remarkable professional fluidity mirrored the range of expectations from his audiences, whose ideas about race, national belonging, identity, and the blues were refracted through Broonzy as if through a prism. Kevin D. Greene argues that Broonzy’s popular success testifies to his ability to navigate the cultural expectations of his different audiences. However, this constant reinvention came at a personal and professional cost. Using Broonzy’s multifaceted career, Greene situates blues performance at the center of understanding African American self-presentation and racial identity in the first half of the twentieth century.
Through Broonzy’s life and times, Greene assesses major themes and events in African American history, including the Great Migration, urbanization, and black expatriate encounters with European culture consumers. Drawing on a range of historical source materials as well as oral histories and personal archives held by Broonzy’s son, Greene perceptively interrogates how notions of race, gender, and audience reception continue to shape concepts of folk culture and musical authenticity.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Ethnic studies / Ethnicity
Where can I read a sample of The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469646480
How long is The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy and how many pages does it have?
The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy has 242 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy?
Kevin D. Greene
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469646480) and paperback(ISBN 9781469646497) and ebook(ISBN 9781469646510) and ebook(ISBN 9781469646503) and ebook(ISBN 9798890844545) and pdf(ISBN 9798890844538)
Where can I buy The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Invention and Reinvention of Big Bill Broonzy?