 |
| 1 | |
Black Face Minstrelsy was about white entertainers creating and perpetuating stereotypes of Black culture (styles of dress, dance, fashion, speech mannerisms etc.) for the entertainment of a white audience. Eventually Black minstrel entertainers inserted these very stereotypes in their own routines. Is minstrelsy dead? Can you find stereotypes of Black culture that are being perpetuated by Black entertainers today? In your opinion is this a positive or negative thing for Black America? How and Why? Which of these White entertainers are imitating? Be specific. |
| | |
|
|
|
| 2 | |
Tin Pan Alley songs were often written to serve the needs of the entire American people at a particular time, i.e. songs coinciding with a particular news event, war related songs, or cheery songs to brighten a depressed Nation like “On the Sunny Side of the Street” or “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.” One successful formula used by Tin Pan Alley songwriters was to simply ask themselves: What does America want and need and how can I provide it in a package that will sell? Are Songs written with a National purpose in mind today? Why or why not? |
| | |
|
|
|
| 3 | |
In the 1920s country music served as a “safe and moral” alternative to the Hot jazz enjoyed by the bootleg liquor sipping speakeasy culture. What role does country music serve for society today? Is it the same role it served in the 1920s or something different? Can you name an artist who represents both the traditional role and one who falls on the “sinful” side of things? How well is this artist received within the country community? |
| | |
|
|
|
| 4 | |
Your author describes the differences between the intended audience of Motown and of the Southern recording studios (Memphis’s Staxx Studios in particular comes to mind). Keeping the Author’s descriptions of style and audience in mind, can you name modern day versions of Motown and Soul artists? |
| | |
|
|
|
| 5 | |
Elvis was the perfect made to order anti-establishment figure: sexual, attractive, Country and City, emotional in a way only found in the passion of the Black church yet polite enough to take home to mom. The term “Authentic” has been used by many to describe how Elvis fused Black and White styles into something new. Compare Eminem to Elvis. How much do the two have in common? Consider things from actual music production to look, and acceptance by an audience. Elvis helped spark a white rock revolution. Will Eminem do the same? Why or why not? |
| | |
|
|