This Is The Most Tennessee Sound You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening To It
By Chris Dodge|Published April 17, 2024
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
When you think of an iconic sound of Tennessee, there is only one that comes to mind. Bluegrass has been incorporated into the way of life here in the Volunteer State and every time I hear it the songs bring me back home nestled into my little spot in the mountains.
Tennessee is certainly known for its musical talent. Nashville is not only our capital city but also the hub for all things musical. There is a sound that originates from these very mountains and has been integrated into everything in the Appalachian culture.
As a whole, when you hear Bluegrass, it follows an upbeat rhythmic tempo and like many styles of music has been fused into all shorts of renditions but a traditional Bluegrass band is made up of a fiddle, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and a banjo.
The fiddle is one of my favorites and is quite a versatile instrument. Did you know there is no difference between a violin and a fiddle? The only difference is how you play it. So in Bluegrass, you will hear the bow flying at a furious pace as opposed to its more classical alternative.
A wise man once told me, “You can never be sad while listening to a good banjo player.” He was right -- the upbeat nature of this twangy instrument invokes joyful expression which is fitting for the good people here in Tennessee.
You can trace the sound of the music through the mountains all the way to... Scotland! During the early years of the South being developed, lots of Scottish immigrants lived off the land. Naturally, they brought with them their heritage which included instruments. The music of Scotland mixed with their new life which fused two cultures creating a new genre of music. If you listen carefully, you can easily see the influence coming from the Scottish Highlands.
All over the Appalachian mountains, from little one-room cabins to big stages you can hear the influence of these folk instruments.
I have even heard a gentleman playing old-timey tunes while sitting on a historical porch in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains before. From the music playing in classic general stores with creaky floorboards to big amusement parks like Dollywood, you will hear the sound of a fiddle and banjo ringing out.
As time has gone on you have heard the genre infuse with other styles creating interesting sounds and fusion bands, but it all started with these classic string instruments.
The culture is very much alive today and celebrated all across the South. One such place that keeps this alive is found at The Caverns. A massive cave room with prime acoustics so it was made into a concert hall. Many artists have thumped and twanged with the rest of them creating a good ole boot-scootin’ good time.
The hum of a fiddle and the plucking twang of a banjo create the most iconic sound of Tennessee. Listening to it brings me home; it reminds me of the history of the land and offers the comfort of a simple life in the mountains. If you happen to go to The Caverns to catch a show, keep in mind they have incredible glamping yurts on the property to stay in and make the most of the scenic mountain landscape. One such nearby place I would highly recommend going to is a beautiful waterfall called Foster Falls.
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