The typical rockabilly artist reflected those significant changes. These varied influences reflect the major demographic and economic changes of the postwar period, a time when large populations of rural black southerners relocated to northern cities. Rockabilly was also strongly influenced by rhythm and blues and the evolution of acoustic country blues into the new, up-tempo electrified style of Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Lockwood Jr., and other early stars of the King Biscuit Time radio show from Helena (Phillips County). These broadcasts were emulated in Little Rock (Pulaski County) with the Barnyard Frolics, a live performance venue for local talent and regional performers. Foremost among these were the Grand Ole Opry from Nashville, Tennessee, and the Louisiana Hayride from Shreveport, Louisiana. Arkansas rockabilly artists were influenced by the increasing popularity of radio barn dance shows in the early 1950s. Early references to rockabilly as “hillbilly bop” suggest its origins in country music and western swing, with additional traces of bluegrass and honky-tonk. They include the jump blues of Louis Jordan, the rhythmic gospel style of “Sister Rosetta” Tharpe, and the hillbilly boogie sound of Wayne Raney. Its use of slang, much of it from African-American origins, and its themes of rebellious youth and self-indulgence, caused disfavor in many conservative groups.Īrkansas musicians had formative influence on the development of rockabilly. Characterized by a blues structure and a moderately fast tempo, rockabilly music celebrated a world of cars, parties, fast living, and sexual relationships. These include the introduction of the single-play 45 rpm record, the early phases of the civil rights movement, and the increasing mobility and purchasing power of teenagers. Several Arkansans became leading rockabilly songwriters and performers.Ī distinctly American phenomenon, rockabilly was strongly influenced by developments of the post–World War II period. Rockabilly, a musical genre that appeared in the mid-1950s, is an early form of rock and roll initially performed by white musicians from the mid-South.

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