Japan's Attack on Country Music

If it wasn't for Japan, American popular music would have taken a much different turn.

The Carter Family was the first country music group to become stars, and is the most influential group in country music history. They were the first to bring country music to the stage; before them country music was only heard on someone's front porch or at a family reunion. Maybelle Carter introduced a new style to guitar playing, which became known as the "Carter scratch", later replicated by Doc Watson and Norman Blake. It consisted of only down-strokes with the thumb (with a thumb pick) and two fingers. It was different, and when you hear someone play it now, it just sounds like the Appalachia. They had incredible harmonies, and many of their songs went on to become country standards.

Four days before a Carter Family feature was to be released in Life Magazine, which included a big story and the cover shot, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Back in those days, American culture revolved around Life Magazine, and whom or what was on the cover. Musical historians say that if Japan had waited until January, the Carter Family would have been THE talk of America. Their record sales would have skyrocketed, personal appearances would have increased, and American music would have possibly taken a much different turn. Instead of rock n' roll and r&b ruling the airwaves in the 50's... it may very well have been the Carter Family and the Stanley Brothers. The "Carter scratch" was not heard by many, and the autoharp never became a popular instrument. So, the big story and cover shot of the Carter family was postponed, and before you knew it, news about the war took over all media outlets for the next several years.

Without the exposure Life Magazine would offer them, the Carter Family still became one of the most talked about country/folk groups, but not really a household name. And, unless you follow country, bluegrass, or Appalachian music, or have seen Walk The Line, you may not have heard of them.