Country Classics

When we talk about classical country music at Bear Family Records, we mean country music from the 1940s to the 1970s, which includes the different modes of playing the Honky Tonk Sound, the Nashville Sound, and the Bakersfield Sound.

Honky Tonk Sound:

Honky Tonk Sound was created in Texas in the late 1940s, primarily in the areas where oil was mined, and was mostly represented in the local dance halls, bars and clubs, which were often very busy. To make the music audible, they began to amplify it electrically and accompanied with drums. Thematically it was often about everyday problems and the lyrics were very direct. Popular topics in the 'Honky Tonk Music' are for example ‚women‘ (Honky Tonk had mostly male performers), beer, singing and dancing. Among the most popular representatives of the 'Honky Tonk Sound‘ are Hank Williams Sr., George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb, Loretta Lynn and Webb Pierce,

Nashville Sound:

The so-called 'Nashville Sound' was produced as the name implies in Nashville, Tennessee. In the 1950s, country music lost ground to Rock 'n' Roll and Pop music. The producers tried to counteract by smoothing out the 'raw' sound of Country music and for example underscored the songs with choirs. Among the most well-known and successful producers of the 'Nashville Sound‘ are Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley, who are well known for the success of artists like Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis, Tammy Wynette, Eddy Arnold.

Bakersfield Sound:

The 'Bakersfield Sound' was created in Bakersfield, California in the late 1950s, and is strongly inspired by the classic ‚Honky Tonk Sound' and the ’Rockabilly Music' of the 1950s. The classic features of the 'Bakersfield Sounds' include the electrically amplified instruments and the hard and high-pitched guitars. Among the best known representatives of the Bakersfield Sounds include Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart and Merle Haggard.

When we talk about classical country music at Bear Family Records, we mean country music from the 1940s to the 1970s, which includes the different modes of playing the Honky Tonk Sound, the... read more »
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Country Classics

When we talk about classical country music at Bear Family Records, we mean country music from the 1940s to the 1970s, which includes the different modes of playing the Honky Tonk Sound, the Nashville Sound, and the Bakersfield Sound.

Honky Tonk Sound:

Honky Tonk Sound was created in Texas in the late 1940s, primarily in the areas where oil was mined, and was mostly represented in the local dance halls, bars and clubs, which were often very busy. To make the music audible, they began to amplify it electrically and accompanied with drums. Thematically it was often about everyday problems and the lyrics were very direct. Popular topics in the 'Honky Tonk Music' are for example ‚women‘ (Honky Tonk had mostly male performers), beer, singing and dancing. Among the most popular representatives of the 'Honky Tonk Sound‘ are Hank Williams Sr., George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb, Loretta Lynn and Webb Pierce,

Nashville Sound:

The so-called 'Nashville Sound' was produced as the name implies in Nashville, Tennessee. In the 1950s, country music lost ground to Rock 'n' Roll and Pop music. The producers tried to counteract by smoothing out the 'raw' sound of Country music and for example underscored the songs with choirs. Among the most well-known and successful producers of the 'Nashville Sound‘ are Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley, who are well known for the success of artists like Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis, Tammy Wynette, Eddy Arnold.

Bakersfield Sound:

The 'Bakersfield Sound' was created in Bakersfield, California in the late 1950s, and is strongly inspired by the classic ‚Honky Tonk Sound' and the ’Rockabilly Music' of the 1950s. The classic features of the 'Bakersfield Sounds' include the electrically amplified instruments and the hard and high-pitched guitars. Among the best known representatives of the Bakersfield Sounds include Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart and Merle Haggard.

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Live From Austin, Tx (2-LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.)
Sir Douglas Quintet: Live From Austin, Tx (2-LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.) Art-Nr.: LPNW5235

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(New West) 17 tracks, gatefold cover, limited edition We're talkin' Tex Mex Rock 'n' Roll! In this show from January 21, 1981, Doug Sahm (a.k.a. Sir Doug) reunites with original band members Augie Meyers and Johnny Perez, along with the...
$37.29
Electric Shaver (LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.)
Billy Joe Shaver & Eddie Shaver: Electric Shaver (LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.) Art-Nr.: LPNW5716

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(New West Records) 12 tracks, pressed on silver metallic vinyl and packaged in a silver protective sleeve. One-time pressing, individually numbered and limited to 2000 copies worldwide. In 1998, New West Records was still in its infancy....
$39.55
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The Earth Rolls On (LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.)
Billy Joe Shaver: The Earth Rolls On (LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.) Art-Nr.: LPNW5717

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(New West Records) 14 tracks, on clear cola bottle vinyl, individually numbered and limited to 2000 copies worldwide. In 1998, New West Records was still in its infancy. The label had only released a handful of records before it was...
$39.55
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Victory (LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.)
Billy Joe Shaver & Eddie Shaver: Victory (LP, colored Vinyl, Ltd.) Art-Nr.: LPNW5715

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(New West Records) 12 tracks, on metallic gold colored vinyl, individually numbered and limited to 2000 copies worldwide. This is the LP reissue of a greatest-hits package originally released in 1998 - due to the fact that Victory...
$39.55
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Live From Austin,TX (2-LP, Swamp Vinyl, Ltd.)
Tony Joe White: Live From Austin,TX (2-LP, Swamp Vinyl, Ltd.) Art-Nr.: LPNW5301G

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(New West Records) 14 tracks, LP#2 single sided with etched Alligators in Swampy Swirl, 150g Vinyl. Limited Edition
$33.89
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The Beginning (LP, Blue Vinyl, Ltd.)
Tony Joe White: The Beginning (LP, Blue Vinyl, Ltd.) Art-Nr.: LPNW5413IRS

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(New West Records) 10 tracks - printed innersleeve - Limited Indie Release - Light Blue Vinyl Tony Joe White's 'The Beginning' was originally released on CD in 2001. Recorded without frills, Tony Joe records himself here playing his...
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Live Forever - A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver (CD)
Various: Live Forever - A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver (CD) Art-Nr.: CDNW6540

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(New West Records) 12 tracks, digisleeve Billy Joe Shaver's songs were stories from his life, they were real and they were raw. Many artists have covered Billy Joe songs over the years. From Willie to Waylon to Elvis to Cash. Billy Joe's...
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Live At Gilley's, Pasadena, TX - September 15, 1981 (CD)
Kris Kristofferson: Live At Gilley's, Pasadena, TX - September 15,... Art-Nr.: CDNW6533

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(New West Records) 15 trracks, digisleeve. "Live At Gilley's" was recorded on September 15, 1981 and features Kris Kristofferson at a stage in his career when he and his band were in full swing. Kristofferson was touring with a full band...
$19.18
Live At Gilley's - Pasadena, TX - September 15, 1981 (LP)
Kris Kristofferson: Live At Gilley's - Pasadena, TX - September 15,... Art-Nr.: LPNW5621

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(New West Records) 15 tracks, gatefold cover. "Live At Gilley's" was recorded on September 15, 1981 and features Kris Kristofferson at a stage in his career when he and his band were in full swing. Kristofferson was on the road with a...
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The Beginning (CD)
Tony Joe White: The Beginning (CD) Art-Nr.: CDNW6472

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(New West Records) 10 tracks Tony Joe White's 'The Beginning' was originally released on CD in 2001. Recorded without frills, Tony Joe records himself here playing his classic swamp blues sound. This album is considered the first album...
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The Beginning (LP)
Tony Joe White: The Beginning (LP) Art-Nr.: LPNW5413

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(New West Records) 10 tracks - printed innersleeve - black vinyl Tony Joe White's 'The Beginning' was originally released on CD in 2001. Recorded without frills, Tony Joe records himself here playing his classic swamp blues sound. This...
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Breakdown On 20th Ave. South (CD)
Buddy & Julie Miller: Breakdown On 20th Ave. South (CD) Art-Nr.: CDNW6464

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(New West Records) 12 tracks, digisleeve Produced by Grammy winner Buddy Miller (Patty Griffin, Robert Plant, Steve Earle, Nashville the series), Breakdown On 20th Ave. South around the first joint album of the couple in nearly ten...
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