College Honors Program

The Making of Modern Pop Genre

Date of Creation

5-17-2024

Document Type

Campus Access Only

Department

Music

First Advisor

Daniel Dicenso

Abstract

The music industry saw great upheaval in the early 20th century, as it transitioned from a business based on the marketing and sale of sheet music, to one based on radio play and home record players. It was in this context that new genres of popular music were first recorded and made popular, such as country, blues, and jazz music. This thesis analyzes the work of record executives and artists who broadened the scope of recorded popular music and set its parameters, as well. During these early recordings, many of the genre distinctions that we know today were set in place. Through an analysis of these events, it can be shown that much of the framework through which we understand music today was established almost a century ago.

Comments

Reader: Schuyler Whelden

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