What could you say is more American than apple pie, more American than baseball? Well, baseball and apple pie are definitely the first things that come to mind when asked what you think of when you think of America, but what if I asked you what would be an all-American music? I think the first thing that should come to mind is bluegrass music. Bluegrass music; played primarily with acoustic and stringed musical instruments and vocal harmonies, it has some variations and cultural roots from other countries, but remains as American as apple pie. Although bluegrass began in the United States, its roots have long extended to other countries and cultures that brought their musical preference to America's beginnings. Early settlers in America, including those from Ireland, Scotland, England, and even Africa, composed music and occupied their time by playing new songs about their daily lives. These songs often reflected life on the farms and homesteads of new settlers. These settlers regularly played bluegrass music in the hills of the southern United States; this is where bluegrass music got its first designation, “mountain music” or “country music.” Due to the limited diffusion of bluegrass, this only happened when a major invention changed the popularity of this vital music for so many people. “The invention of the phonograph and the advent of the radio in the early 1900s brought this old-time music from the rural mountain areas of the South to people across the United States.” (IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association)) While no one can claim to have invented bluegrass music, its humble beginnings can be traced back to a band that took advantage of the popular new phonograph. This band called "Bill Mo... middle of paper... we have the knowledge to listen carefully to bluegrass and hopefully the inspiration to try it for yourself. You could pick up an album by an artist I mentioned earlier or go at one of its many bluegrass festivals. There is no better way to experience the rich and vibrant culture of bluegrass music than by attending any of its multi-day festivals. If you're in Kansas in September, do yourself a favor and stop by Winfield Kansas for the Walnut Valley Festival, you won't regret it. Works Cited Bean Blossom. 2011 .IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association). " Traum, happy. Bluegrass guitar. 1974.