Johnny Cash's and Jason Aldean's Writing Styles Paper Example

Music is a part of art and is recognized in every corner of the world. Writing styles in music help give music their sense of identity. Today, there are numerous varieties of music; for instance, jazz, classical, rock, pop and R &B. Several artists write their music in their style to depict their music genre (Hilburn, 2013). Jonny Cash and Jason Aldean are one of the most prominent musicians in country music history. Country music is one of the most popular genres of music throughout America. Musicians like Jonny Cash and Jason Aldean played a key role in influencing their music styles through writing. The paper compares and contrasts Jonny Cash's and Jason Aldean's writing styles.

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Jonny Cash revolutionized music. His western, folk, blue genres were viewed by Americans as the epitome of American music at the time. Cash was very creative in music writing. No musician has ever brought multiple genres together more so than Cash, which is an amazing feat coming from a country music artist as the genre has constantly abjured anything outside of itself (Hilburn, 2013). Jason Aldean writing style is characteristic of modern music styles. His music style, especially in 'Night Train' is said to be so creative such that the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 charts and number two for the year. Unlike Jonny Cash, Aldean has carved an exceptional niche in the contemporary country music scene by integrating elements of rock, hip-hop and even rap in his songs.

Unlike Jason Aldean, Jonny Cash music writing style articulates a certain kind of rugged individualism that appears to integrate nicely with a particular vision of the American people. Cash music style is rustic and primitive to his approach, yet modern (by 1960s standards). His singing voice was exceptional, and his music influenced numerous artists in western within the country. Cash also influenced blues and rock music genres (Hilburn, 2013). In some of his musical styles, Aldean mixes pop and electronic elements to bring multiple genres together. Aldean's music style is more modern as compared to Jonny Cash's.

Aldean writing style involves topics of love fun and partying. It has become normal to find the artist writing about his life in the club, the kind of love he desires and how he intends to have fun while traveling the world (Watts, 2016). This aspect was different in the 1960s. Cash's music was mostly about love; for instance, 'Understand your Man' advice women on how to treat their men. In his music style, Jonny Cash sang in a deep, calm bass-baritone voice. He also had a characteristic sound of his Tennessee Three band, which was characterized by train-sound guitar beat. His writing style was somber and had a humble demeanor. His style is known to have changed after he successfully fought his drug addiction. In the late 1960s, Cash started writing about other topics such as prison life and hope. His album, 'Jonny Cash at Folsom Prison' (1968) was recorded live in front of an audience of about 2,000 prisoners at California's Folsom Prison. This was a milestone since no other country musician had attempted to involve inmates in his or her song. He eventually became a vocal champion for penal reform and social justice. In the following years, Jonny Cash wrote music championing for people's rights and freedom (Streissguth, 2005).

In Aldean's album, 'Night Train' there is something new in each of the seven tracks. He integrates pieces of the old and the things that are appealing. Aldean ensures that there is something new to be said in every song. In spite of the ringing guitars and a rock sound, his music in this album harkens back to the 1970s rock bands like Journey. Aldean also blends in prominent vocals with a strong sense of melody. In his music, Aldean ensures that there is a great intro which leads to a power ballad that sequences directly on the record (Watts, 2016). Jonny Cash's music writing style used to change with time. In the 1950s, the music style moved from folksier melodies to the integration of more rhythm and blues. In the 1970s, Cash changed his music to a more modern style. He made several spin-offs from his music. Jonny explored and tried new ways of presenting music. However, Cash's music was original and was never copied from another artist.

Aldean's has his creating way of writing music. One of Aldean's albums that show his creativity is his tribute to Joe Diffie and the '90s'. The ballad has one of the most prominent ballads and powerful vocal in the country music genre. The tribute album and its tracks were good and put together Aldean's work and the country music industry. However, Aldean is criticized in this album because of recording other artist's songs. It is through this album that sets him apart from Jonny Cash. From his tribute to Joe Diffie, the audience can see that although Aldean may fail to write his music, he makes the songs his own through the way he sings, performs and records them (Aldean and Carter, 2017).

However, despite huge differences in their music writing styles, Cash and Aldean have some similarities. Both musicians influenced a generation and blended music genres to bring the nation together. Cash and Aldean were prominent musicians in their generations. Apart from singing in the same music genre, they incorporated jazz, pop, and blues to the country music.

Cash's and Aldean music styles were a victim of changing times. During the 1950s, the style of country music to integrate more rhythm and blue; Cash was forced to change his music style to remain relevant. On the other hand, Aldean was forced to incorporate technology into his music. The current technology ensures that there is the utilization of electronic music equipment; this way, the music style is likely to change from the traditional style. After changing their music, the artists became prominent and were regarded as the best artists in their generation.

Conclusion

The difference between music writing styles today and way back is quite noticeable. Jonny Cash and Jason Aldean are both great men that accomplished great things. They are very different but also similar to some extent. From the 1920s country music has transformed greatly from singing about love to having fun and partying and this shows how different things are. Country music has evolved and integrated multiple elements along the way. Artists like Jonny Cash and Jason Aldean have incorporated themselves into the changes. Cash was more prominent in the '50s and '70s, but his music is legacy. Aldean is relevant today and continues to integrate country music with other musical elements.

References

Aldean, J., and Carter, T. (2017). Family, friends, and fans. Macon Music, LLC.

Hilburn, R. (2013). Johnny Cash: The life. New York, NY: Little, Brown, and Company.

Streissguth, M. (2005). Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: The making of a masterpiece. Cambridge, Mass: Da Capo Press.

Watts, C. (2016). How Jason Aldean changed country music. Retrieved from: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/09/25/how-jason-aldean-changed-country-music/90518700/ on date 11/11/2018.