The Rebirth of Americana

Feb 19, 2008 - 17:01 PM PST

It seems to me that we’re entering into an interesting point in American history. It looks as if we might transition back to pre-WWll domestic introversion, back to patriotism and back to focusing on the American people and their needs. This means more American jobs, more American products and an overall redefining of what it is to be an American in this vast globalized world that we now live in.

So what does this mean for American culture? I think it means a rebirth of Americana. We can already see it in current films and television. Deadwood, 3:10 to Yuma, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood are very popular right now. They have strong lead characters that aren’t afraid to be on their own and forge new paths. These movies are different from superhero movies, which tend to be popular when times are tough in society. Those films focus on an outside evil, which the main character needs to rid the world of, using some special talent that only he possesses. The western lead is flawed; he is like any other man. He is a leader and may be afraid to do what is right, but will not let that stand in his way. He possesses no special abilities, or rather none that can’t be matched by hard work and diligence. And most importantly, he will do what is necessary to insure the safety of his family and property, and to get his fair share. I think this is exactly what Americans, regardless of gender or ethnicity, will start to exemplify in the up coming years.

The rebirth of Americana is also evident in music, fashion, and I’d even go so far as to say that it is evident in the “green” movement. Groups like Old Crow Medicine Show and Robert Plant and Allison Krauss are appealing to twenty-something’s across America regardless of whether they wear large belt buckles and wrangler jeans. Robert Johnson, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr. and Bob Dylan have never been out of style. I definitely recommend listening to KCSN 88.5 on Sundays 8-2 and 4-7 for Twang and Tangled Roots, if you want some real Americana music. Along with the music comes fashion. Vintage cowboy shirts and boots are hugely popular right now on either coast as well as the mid-west.

The “green” movement is very cowboy because of its agricultural aspect. It might be that we are moving back to the small farms, away from feedlots and mega-farms. Even if this is wishful thinking at this point, there is definitely a growing interest and desire to buy organic, and locally grown; and everyone knows, cowboys have farms. There is nothing more American than homegrown, hormone-free, non-genetically modified apple pie.

I don’t believe that Americana culture as ever disappeared and neither has the cowboy. However, I do believe that there is a need to return to patriotism, to believe that we do live in a great country and stand by our roots. American culture is one-of-a-kind, people across the world look up to us because of this. It’s time we look back and regain a sense of what it means to be American. Film, music, fashion and other trends are pointing in this direction, and I’m thrilled.

Discuss this article on our forums