From its emergence in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with those navigating a rapidly changing world. A key genre of American roots music, it expresses hardship while evoking emotion. This course explores the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton.

Taylor Ackley, PhD, is a scholar, composer, and performer of American Roots music. He holds a PhD and a master’s degree in composition, and a master’s in ethnomusicology from Stony Brook University. Ackley is an independent scholar and professional musician based in northwestern Montana and is writing his first book, Hearing Class. A singer and multi-instrumentalist, he has performed nationwide, released four albums, and presented at major conferences in music, sociology, and ethnomusicology.

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