Introduction
Country music has never been my particular “style” or preference. I used to think it was all just twangy “hillbilly” music that talked about drinking, broken hearts and tragedies, and sappy love stories. It’s always been something I have listened to only when other people had it playing or just the few popular country songs that make it onto pop or rock music radio stations that I listen to. After being gently introduced in this manner, it has become to grow on me and has gained more of my attention. Artists like Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood who have all bridged the gap between country and pop music categories have opened my ears to country music. It’s hard to live in Texas and not have a bunch of friends who listen to at least some country music (that’s not to say all “Texans” listen to country or to stereotype, but let’s face it, country music is far more popular here than up north where I hail from). This slow, selective introduction to country has made me more interested in country music in general which is why I chose to research the music culture of Cowboys Red River, a country music bar and dance hall. This particular music culture involves both live and prerecorded music, dancing, social atmosphere, alcohol/drinking (but not a necessary component), and a synthesized “western” atmosphere.
Methodology
My first source is a friend of mine, Garrett Lindley, whom I have known for over two years now. He has worked at Cowboys on and off since he was 18 years old and is an avid country fan (although his musical tastes are broader than just country). He is the first person to tell me about Cowboys and how much fun it is to be a part of and has been trying to get me to go there for as long as I have known him. I interviewed him over the phone before I actually went out to participate in the culture. I wanted to know what I should expect and to prepare myself beforehand so that hopefully there would be nothing to shocking or anything to catch me off guard.
My next source was the venue’s website, Cowboys Red River. The website had a lot of information regarding the location and events that took place there. I used the website to plan my adventure out there on a Friday evening. I chose Friday because it was free until 9pm for people aged 21 and up, and I like things to be free. Also, they offered free dance lessons before things got busy for those people who have never been out country dancing or just want to learn or brush up on their skills. That particular night they were teaching the Progressive Two Step or more commonly known as the Texas Two Step (“Progressive”). The website also has sections about the house band, Runnin’ Behind and links to their personal websites and music.
I also researched country music in general to get an idea of what to expect when I went to Cowboys and after I attended an event there. I used the internet to find out terms I was unfamiliar with or that I was interested in.
While at Cowboys, two very friendly older gentlemen asked me to dance. Having no experience with country dancing before, they were kind enough to teach me the basic steps. While dancing, I was able to ask them several questions.
My last source was my friend Angie Weiss, who escorted me to the dance hall. We have known each other for over five years now and both moved to Texas from Kansas to go to college. This was also her first time to Cowboys but she has been to other country music bars/dance halls and listens to country music regularly. She was able to help me identify the songs being played. I interviewed her during our time at Cowboys.
Aspects of this Music Culture
Ideas about Music
The songs played had themes of love, heartbreak, drinking, patriotism, and also of being “redneck” (Cowboys). In this particular culture the music had a moderate to fast pace overall. The music has to be something that people could dance to and keep rhythm with. Beats were easily identifiable in all the songs which helped dancers keep pace. Songs that are to slow rhythmically would cause people not to dance and the same for songs that are far too fast.
Activities Involving Music
The main activity of this music culture is dancing. The entire setup is centered around a track like dance floor. All the dances progress around the track in a counterclockwise manner. All dances I observed were partner dances involving one male (the lead) and one female. The partners face each other and the female is led backwards around the dance floor. The basic form is for the female to have her left hand on the male’s shoulder and her right hand clasping his left hand at about shoulder level. The male’s right hand can be on the female’s shoulder or anywhere along the length of her back. The male’s right hand is the hand that guides or leads the dance. It is the male’s job to watch out for other couples on the floor and to keep the pace and flow. The female follows the male’s lead. There are basic dances like the Two Step and Progressive/Texas Two Step. These dances allow the participants to move across/around the floor and also allow for lots of variations such as dips, spins/twirls, and direction changes. The pattern was quick quick, slow slow for the first dance I did (Partner A). The second time I went on the floor, the rhythm was 1, 2 3,4 walk walk 1,2 3,4 walk walk and 1,2, 3, 1, 2, 3….. (Partner B). These patterns can be interrupted by spinning/twirling sequences or dips. It’s the male who determines the patterns used since he is the lead. He also sets the pace and keeps rhythm with the music.
Another activity is drinking. There are several different bars located within the one building. A bar even sits in the middle of the dance floor, while several surround the outside perimeter. While I was there (from approximately 8pm to 10pm), I did not see people drinking to “get drunk” but it seemed to be more of a social drinking type of thing. Cowboys encourages those of age to drink to come by offering free or reduced admission and also drink specials. And let’s be honest, most people are a little more willing to dance once they have been drinking.
Repertoires of Music
The house band, Runnin’ Behind, plays mostly cover songs of other popular country artists (Friday, Lindley, Weiss). A few songs may be originals, and they may add their own embellishments and styles to songs. There is also a DJ present who plays country music in between the bands performance (Friday). While I was there, I only heard country music. However, Lindley says that on “College Night” and at other times, the DJ will play pop, hip-hop, and rap music intermittently.
Material Culture of Music
My observations of the material culture were of the clothing styles. Most people wore jeans and some sort of boot, usually cowboy/cowgirl. Tennis shoes were also common, as well as a few women wearing dance shoes. High heels were scarce as they would probably interfere with dancing these particular dances. Men often wore baseball caps or cowboy hats.
Conclusion
This particular music culture is very participatory. The goal of Cowboys Red River is to get people out on the dance floor moving and having a good time. The music is never too slow to swing your partner around and never to fast so that you lose control or cannot keep up. The songs played and performed are by popular country artists and fairly well known if one is a fan.
“Friday Night Performance.” Perf. Todd Stewart, David Deaton, Elliot Rhodes, Jonathan Shifflett, John Gettes, Kevin Christian. Cowboys Red River, Dallas. 5 March 2010.
Lindley, Garrett. Telephone interview. 28 Feb 2010.
Partner A. Personal interview. 5 March 2010.
Partner B. Personal interview. 5 March 2010.
"Progressive Two-Step". American Dance. March 9th, 2010 http://www.americandanceaz.com/progressivetwostep_History.htm
Weiss, Angie. Personal interview. 5 March 2010.
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