Any IOWANS know about early 1900's regional music?

DrummerMan · Post by **DrummerMan** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:18 am

This is a weird question, but I'm wondering if there's any of you from the fine state of Iowa who might know of any early 20th century music styles specific to the region.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:03 am

http://www.loc.gov/search/?q=Iowa+music

Cheers

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:20 am

I'm from northeast Nebraska, near the Missouri River close to Iowa...and from my understanding (family history books, relatives) it was mostly German folk music and polka. there were some pockets of Irish, Dutch, etc....but all the stuff I read talks about polka dances. then bluegrass made its way up the Missouri a little later on.

there is also some some recollection of classical choir music mostly associated with the church. tons of Lutherans church choirs around there.

I image Iowa was similar, being that is was also filled with cattle ranchers and farmers, many of german heritage.

hope that helps!

kslight · Post by **kslight** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 3:55 pm

I'm going to lean on the polka statement...because my great-great grandfather (who was also the first Italian immigrant in Des Moines) had an accordion...

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:12 pm

kslight wrote:I'm going to lean on the polka statement...because my great-great grandfather (who was also the first Italian immigrant in Des Moines) had an accordion...

haha. my great-great grandfather was the first scotch-Irish immigrant in Wisner, NE...which at the time was a huge cattle ranching area, full of all German-speaking immigrants.

roygbiv · Post by **roygbiv** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:22 pm

Yeah, I'd go with Ottobot and the polka. And hymns too (specially when played on an out of tune upright, it'll bring tears to your eyes)

PS Ottobot, small world! part of my family has been in Decatur for >100 years (probably nobody besides us realize how small those towns are!)

PSS that part of northeast Nebraska is indistinguishable from western edge of Iowa. The Missouri River even used to move around, literally changing what defined Iowa and Nebraska.

Although not the same area ( I think it was set in Mississippi), "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" reminds me of the rhythm and speech patterns i heard as a kid from old timer nebraskans from that area.

dennisjames · Post by **dennisjames** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:47 pm

You might want to check out Al Murphy --

http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/programs ... rphy.shtml

Great guy with a ton of history.

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:02 pm

good stuff. polka your eyes out.

also...lets hear from the OP.

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Any IOWANS know about early 1900's regional music?

Any IOWANS know about early 1900's regional music?

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