THE MUSIC OF HAWKS AND DOVES: THE DISPARATE IDEOLOGIES INFLUENCING FOLK AND COUNTRY MUSIC IN THE VIETNAM WAR ERA

Abstract

This paper examines the social, cultural and political pressures that influenced two genres of music, folk and country, and how those pressures caused folk and country music to develop opposing political views regarding the Vietnam War. The paper examines the various factors that contributed to folk and country music evolving as separate genres from the same Scots-lrish folk music traditions. It further examines the cultural and social influences, as well as influences brought to bear by the music industry, in fostering those disparate political ideologies. It examines four artists who were important representatives of the pro- and antiwar movements. It also examines the influence of folk and country music on the perspectives regarding the Vietnam War of three those who served in the military.