The History of Texas Music

<p>The richly diverse ethnic heritage of the Lone Star State has brought to the Southwest a remarkable array of rhythms instruments and musical styles that have blended here in unique ways and in turn have helped shape the music of the nation and the world.  Historian Gary Hartman writes knowingly and lovingly of the Lone Star State’s musical traditions. In the first thorough survey of the vast and complex cultural mosaic that has produced what we know today as “Texas music” he paints a broad panoramic view offers analysis of the origins of and influences on specific genres profiles key musicians and provides guidance to additional sources for further information.  A musician himself Hartman draws on both academic and non-academic sources to give a more complete understanding of the state’s remarkable musical history and ethnic community studies with his first-hand knowledge of how important music is as a cultural medium through which human beings communicate information ideas emotions values and beliefs and bond together as friends families and communities. The History of Texas Music incorporates a selection of well-chosen photographs of both prominent and less-well-known artists and describes not only the ethnic origins of much of Texas music but also the cross-pollination among various genres. Today the music of Texas—which includes Native American music gospel blues ragtime swing jazz rhythm and blues conjunto Tejano Cajun zydeco western swing honky tonk polkas schottsches rock & roll rap hip hop and more—reflects the unique cultural dynamics of the Southwest.</p>