Chicago is renowned for its jazz, gospel, and blues history, yet its significant influence on country music and the folk revival remains largely overlooked. Drawing from extensive interviews and archival research, the author uncovers a forgotten narrative of Chicago's musical evolution and its impact on sounds typically associated with the South. This tale of migration illustrates how rural communities connected with urban centers through radio, automobiles, and railroads. As the largest city in the agricultural Midwest, Chicago offered a platform for rural individuals to reinvent themselves and explore new musical avenues. Long before Nashville became the heart of country music, Chicago was a bustling hub for musicians and record labels. In the 1920s, WLS radio's Barn Dance modernized traditional country sounds for contemporary audiences. By the 1940s, the city boasted the highest concentration of country musicians in the U.S., with legends like Bill Monroe and The Carter Family recording iconic music there. As the recording industry shifted to the coasts post-World War II, Chicago emerged as a space for folk musicians to innovate and collaborate outside Nashville's rigid star system. The narrative highlights the vibrant venues that nurtured various musical generations, celebrating the colorful characters who propelled country and folk music forward.
