California Country: Troubadours in the Canyon
- Music History Hall
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 16 minutes ago
California Country
As the 1960s waned and the 1970s approached, people started moving toward an idea of simple living and rural traditions. California was a place of dreams and magic, and it represented a simpler life. American music moved west to the canyons and deserts of Southern California.
Many young musicians settled in the hills and canyons of Los Angeles. They were folk singers, troubadours, singer-songwriters, traveling poets. They hung out together, formed bands, and performed at open-mic nights called Hootenannies at their favorite bar, the Troubadour, in West Hollywood.
These young musicians in Southern California were influenced by the Bakersfield Sound of the 1950s and traditional folk music from the 1960s. They wrote protest songs about the Vietnam War, personal songs about love, and country-rock songs about Southern California.
Their music was stripped down and simple, and the country was ready for it. Together, they created a new genre of music centered on songwriting and telling one person's story.
Many legendary musicians came up during this special time and place in music history, including Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, the Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Neil Young.
Together, they created the California Country sound.
