Cold War Country: How Nashville's Music Row and the Pentagon Created the Sound of American Patriotism

Country music has a long history with the American military, dating back to the 1950s when the military flooded armed forces airwaves with the music and hosted tour dates at bases around the world. This relationship gave an economic boost to the white-dominated sounds of country while marginalizing Black artists and fueling divisions over the meaning of patriotism. Joseph M. Thompson argues that the relationship between Music Row and the Pentagon helped shape the evolution of popular music and race relations, partisanship, and images of the United States abroad.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2024
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Country music has had a unique and enduring connection to American military life, a relationship that has not emerged spontaneously. This comprehensive history delves into the intricate web of connections between Nashville's music industry leaders on Music Row and the Pentagon, shedding light on how these partnerships were formed and how they shaped the promotion of military service and the sale of country music to servicemen and women.

Beginning in the 1950s, the military embraced country music wholeheartedly, saturating armed forces airwaves with its tunes, organizing tour dates at bases across the globe, and enlisting the support of artists like Johnny Cash and Lee Greenwood to bolster recruitment programs. The close ties between the Defense Department and Music Row during the latter half of the 20th century not only provided a financial boost to the predominantly white-dominated country music genre but also marginalized Black artists and sparked divisive debates over the true essence of patriotism.

This captivating story unfolds with the inclusion of familiar names such as Roy Acuff, Elvis Presley, and George Strait, as well as lesser-known figures who played pivotal roles in the relationship between Music Row and the Pentagon. Joseph M. Thompson, in his compelling analysis, argues that the interplay between Music Row and the Pentagon not only influenced the evolution of popular music but also had profound impacts on race relations, partisan politics, and the international image of the United States.

Through a meticulous examination of archival materials, interviews with key figures, and a thoughtful analysis of the cultural and social context, this history offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between country music, the military, and American society. It sheds light on the ways in which music has been used as a tool for propaganda, the challenges faced by artists who sought to navigate the patriotic terrain, and the enduring impact of these partnerships on the fabric of American culture.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469678368