Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

6-1985

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Sociology

Major Professor

Samuel Wallace

Committee Members

Donald Clelland, Michael Betz, Lee Humphries

Abstract

This study examines the role and status of black musicians as a subcommunity in Nashville, Tennessee. The guiding purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the deviance label fits the typical black musician in Nashville.

The data for this study were collected through qualitative means. Fifty intensive interviews were conducted with thirty-one respondents. Participant observation was another source of primary data. Additional sources of data included material provided by the musicians' union, the census bureau, various music associations in Nashville, special libraries, and the public and university libraries in the Nashville area.

Major topical areas explored were (1) the beginnings of our musicians (2) careers for black musicians in Nashville (3) black Nashville as community and black Nashville in Music City, U.S.A.

The analysis generated the following conclusions: (1) In terms of background, attitudes, involvements and interaction with others, the black musician in Nashville is middle class and conformist oriented. Thus, the deviance model does not fit the black musician in Nashville,(2) The black musical community is fragmented.(3) The musical legacy in black Nashville has played a major role in the emergence and growth of the Nashville music industry. Nevertheless, the current status of the black musician vis-a-vis the music industry is marginal — on the fringe of the industry. In essence, the black musician in Music City, U.S.A. is a vital but invisible presence.

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