» United States Travel Directory
» United States Hotel Reservations

From Rock to Country to Gospel, America has it all when it comes to music.

Music is a big part of the United States of America; there are a myriad of songs specifically describing the experience of living in America, and from these songs listeners get a distinctive view of American culture. In the vast musical landscape that makes up the country, it is possible to trace several prominent genres of American music back to their roots, in turn creating a matchless musical highway down which to travel. From blues and jazz to country and rock and roll, every musical taste can be satisfied whether it be on the East Coast, the West Coast, the Southern States or anywhere in between. The American musical highway extends to all corners of the USA, with each stop revealing musical trends that are unique to that area. Let the trip begin.

NEW YORK CITY, NY

Punk, Rock and Soul
The journey begins on the East Coast, as no musical safari would be complete without a visit to that bastion of American culture, New York City. While there is an abundance of music history in the Big Apple, there are a few prominent fixtures that stand out above the rest as must-see attractions. For modern rock history, the destination is CBGB. Originally standing for "Country Bluegrass Blues", CBGB forsook its intended audience and instead left its mark in the punk music annals. It is now best known as the club that spawned such bands as the Ramones, Television and Richard Hell and the Voidoids in the mid to late 70s.

	The Famous Apollo Theatre in New York City.

Another attraction in the same new-rock vein is Max's Kansas City, famous as a former hangout of Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground, Mick Jagger and anyone else that was anyone in the 1970s. For more of a classic soul experience, the noted Apollo Theatre is not to be missed. Located in Harlem, it was here that many Caucasians in New York first heard African-American music in the 30s and 40s, as well as the site of James Brown's timeless appearance in 1963. "James Brown: Live at the Apollo" is an album that sounds as fresh today as when it was recorded, and gives strong evidence as to why James Brown has been dubbed "The Godfather of Soul". Today the Apollo is home to a variety of entertainment and events, including music, comedy, fundraisers and live radio shows.

DETROIT, MI

Rock and Roll and Motown
From New York, the road makes a quick leap west to Detroit, Michigan. Known as Motor City because of its auto industry, this title could just as easily be applied for its rock scene. For loud, bare bones rock and heavy metal, Detroit is where it's at. Some of the artists that have helped to cultivate this reputation are the Motor City Madman himself, Ted Nugent, as well as Iggy Pop and his Stooges, the MC5 and the White Stripes. Each of these bands has proven themselves capable of shaking the rafters with authority and sending fans into a frenzy. Another moniker that Detroit has adopted is Motown. Again, this is a play on the city's car making status, however it has come to be synonymous with soul and R&B music. Hitsville USA was the record studio that introduced the world to acts such as The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson Five. Started by Berry Gordy in the late 1950s, Hitsville USA began churning out songs that have become part of the American vernacular, and it was the success of these songs that helped pave the way for accomplishments by many other African-American singers and songwriters. Hitsville is now home to the Motown Historical Museum, a chronicle of the Motown company.

MEMPHIS, TN

	Cajun, Zydeco and Jazz The place for Cajun and zydeco music is New Orleans, LA. Both are unique to the Louisiana area, with French-Canadian influences and accordion figuring prominently. Jazz is also a major attraction in New Orleans, and is showcased every year at the Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Rock and Roll, Blues and Gospel
Tennessee is an important source of musical roots, many of which can still be enjoyed today. The first stop in Tennessee, of course, is Memphis, arguably the source of some of the earliest jazz and blues. Perhaps the most well known attraction in Memphis is Graceland, home and alleged final resting place of Elvis Presley. Graceland is likely the most recognizable musical landmark on the planet, and visitors from around the globe travel to Memphis to bask in the glory that is Elvis, even decades after his death. For those die-hard Elvis fans, visit Sun Studios; owned by the late Sam Phillips, Sun is where Elvis was discovered and where he recorded his first hits. Other famous artists that have recorded at Sun Studios include Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. Memphis is also the former stomping grounds of legendary music man W.C. Handy. Handy was instrumental in creating an outlet for musicians and music publishers, and he essentially opened the door for scores of African-American performers. After being cheated out of royalties on a song that he had written, Handy started his own music-publishing house, copyrighting his older songs as well as new ones from other artists. These songs became the backbone of popular music in America, and set a precedent for proper acknowledgement of intellectual property. W.C. Handy's House and Museum on Beale is a popular attraction in Memphis. Aside from these prominent destinations, Memphis is also home to many other destinations with musical appeal, including the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, the famous Beale Street and its annual festival, Reverend/soul singer Al Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Millington and Stax records, a prominent Soul and Blues label that boasts the likes of Otis Redding and John Lee Hooker in their catalogue. Beale Street has a reputation as one of the sources of the blues, and continues to draw people eager to stand where legends such as W.C. Handy and B.B. King have stood. Stax is home to the Museum of American Soul Music, and showcases over 2000 exhibits dedicated to the history of American soul music. Finally, no trip to Memphis would be complete without a visit to the original B.B. King Blues Club. Named for the famous blues guitarist, B.B. King's offers lunch, dinner and late night parties.

	The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Photo by Chris Hollo. Hollophotographics©Grand Ole Opry 2003

NASHVILLE, TN

Country Music and Polka
From Memphis, the road continues on down to Nashville, known alternately as the Capital of Country Music and Music City, USA. While Memphis is more blues oriented, Nashville does more to define the country music sphere. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the eminent Grand Ole Opry, Nashville has much to offer the audiophile. The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live over the radio, as it has been since 1925, making it the longest running live radio show in history. Nearly every prominent country music performer since the advent of recorded music has graced the Opry stage over the years. The original pews from the Ryman Auditorium—where the Opry was held until 1974—are available to own, albeit in an unconventional sense. Two hundred and forty-three limited edition acoustic guitars have been handcrafted from this wood, offering musicians a chance to play the Opry even if they can't get on stage. Shows continue at the Grand Ole Opry every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night. Another option for live music in Nashville is the Wildhorse Saloon. Located on second avenue, the Wildhorse is a purveyor of the finest that country music has to offer. Though it is technically a bar, it is billed as a family entertainment establishment, and children under 18 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Many of today's hottest country stars grace the stage at the Wildhorse, making it a worthy destination when visiting Nashville. The roots of the Nashville music scene came in part from the Jubilee Singers, a troupe that built the Jubilee Hall at Fisk University. Jubilee Hall is credited with being the first permanent structure dedicated to African-American education, and also with being the birthplace of the "Nashville sound", a blend of country and blues that has endured through the years. Nashville is also host to an annual Oktoberfest. While this may seem out of place in a country-oriented town, Nashville shows it can kick up its heels to all kinds of music. Oktoberfest offers traditional German wursts, beer gardens, and of course, classic polka and Oom-Pah music.

	Rock and Roll For a break down of some of the alumnus from the school of rock, be sure to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, OH. There are thousands of artifacts to peruse, with all the pieces having played a role in the birth and maturation of the rock sound.

ATHENS, GA

Alternative/College Rock and New Age
During the 1970s, Southern music was known for its distinctive hard rockin' blues sound, with bands like the Allman Brothers and Lynrd Skynrd leading the Southern rock explosion. Jump forward 15 years and there emerges a circle that can be drawn encompassing new wave, punk and pop in America. That circle has its epicenter in Athens, Georgia. Athens is a university town; the University of Georgia in Athens has an open campus that hosts many concerts and attractions throughout the year. The bands and the venues they play in are indicative of the university crowd, proving consistently that when the call goes out for college-based rock, the answer comes from Athens. Athens is perhaps best known for spawning the pop heavyweights REM, however there are a plethora of groups that have sprung up in the time since the explosion of Michael Stipe and Peter Buck's band. REM played as early as 1980 at the 40 Watt Club, the first club in Athens to cater to the new wave sound. It was REM that opened the door for independent musical artists in Athens, however even before REM lit up the college music scene in the mid-eighties, Athens boasted the eccentric and much revered B-52s, a band that defined campy and whimsical. In the ensuing years, other groups have entered into the hallowed halls of rock history: Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, better known as the Indigo Girls, also hail from Athens, as does the famed "jam" band Widespread Panic, who carry on in the tradition of the Grateful Dead mixed with a healthy dose of bluegrass.

Country Theme Nashville and Austin aren't the only country music outlets in the U.S. Dolly Parton, that maven of country stylings, has opened her own theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Offering all the traditional fairground rides and attractions, Dollywood is an opportunity to experience all things Parton-esque.

AUSTIN, TX

Country Music and More
The next stop on the musical journey is the southernmost destination. It is often said that everything is big in Texas, and the music scene is no exception; without a doubt, the largest state in the union has much to offer the music enthusiast. Austin is one such destination. Something of a latter-day Nashville, Austin embraces the country music traditions, yet at the same time shakes up the old establishment with a fresh approach to music making. Billed as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is eager to live up to its moniker. There is live music every night of the week, with everything from country and western to good old rock and roll. Two of Austin's premier clubs are Antone's and The Back Room, with each venue offering first-rate live music.

Aerial view of the Experience Music Project in Seattle, WA. Photo by Laura Swimmer. © 2000 Experience Music Project permanent collection

SEATTLE, WA

Grunge, American Music History and Hendrix
From Texas, the quest for musical landmarks leads to the West Coast. In the early 1990s, Seattle emerged as a music town in its own right. There was a re-hashing of the old rock and roll sound, resulting in "grunge" and "alternative", or together, what became known as the Seattle Sound. The grunge commotion is reminiscent of the detonation of the New York rock scene at CBGB and Max's; a brief flash of wild inspiration that was appropriated by the mainstream nearly as soon as it hit the streets. Important bands from this era include Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Mudhoney and Soundgarden. Live music is still a big part of the scene in Seattle, and there are many clubs and other venues to accommodate the music-minded. The Tractor in the community of Ballard is one bar that regularly has live music, from blues to rock to jazz. For larger name bands in an intimate setting, check out The Showbox, located near Pike Place Market. The Showbox is larger and slightly more elegant in décor than the Tractor, though both places are superb for live music. Before the grunge infusion, Seattle was perhaps best known in music spheres as the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix's grave can also be found in Greenwood Memorial Park, located in Renton, a suburb of Seattle. In a related note, Paul Allen—former Microsoft co-founder and all-around Jimi Hendrix fanatic—has built a tribute to American popular music in the heart of downtown Seattle. Originally conceived strictly as a Hendrix museum, the idea was expanded to encompass all aspects of popular music in America. The Experience Music Project (EMP) is located at Seattle Center, near the base of the Space Needle. EMP rotates special interest exhibits, as well as displaying an amazing amalgam of American musical history and artifacts.

And so, from the east to the west and everywhere in between, the United States proves that it has a lot to offer in the way of musical education. The points of interest listed here only scratch the surface of what is a vast and ever-changing phenomenon. Popular music in the U.S. shows no sign of slowing down or stopping; that music just keeps rollicking and rolling along, bringing sound to new generations and, with any luck, inspiring them to keep the musical fires stoked.