The Tennessee Three was the backing band of Johnny Cash for over 40 years. The original members of the Tennessee Three were Luther Perkins, Marshall Grant, and Dave Roe. They were considered to be a Rockabilly band with singer Johnny Cash. The band originally started as the Tennessee Two consisting of Johnny Cash buddies Luther Perkins d on a electric guitar and also Marshall Grant on the upright bass. Like most bands they found there rhythm with simple sounds like “boom-chicka-boom” and “freight train” rhythm. If you have ever listen to a Johnny Cash album you know that freight train sound, you here it in a lot of the back ground, and also in the lyrics them selves. One of Johnny Cash first hit singles was Folsom Blues, and it starts out “ I here the train a coming, coming around the bin and I haven’t seen no sunshine and I don’t know when” very simple yet it tells a great story like most of Johnny Cash songs do. W.S Holland played the drums in the band and it was a simple drum bass, symbol, and snare, most bands had this same set to start off with, bands like The Beatles, and many other popular bands.
Understanding music and instruments you truly know the ground roots to most music. They have a simple beat and can be change up into any direction you want to take the song. Just like everything else instruments and music have evolved and they have become more complex. You look at a drum set today for a rock band, and it takes up a big part of the stage and cost thousands of dollars. I love bands like Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three who could take simple yet great sounding instruments, and make some of the best music we still listen to today. When a song tells a story and also has a great beat to go along with it, then you have a hit on your hands.
Tags: drums, Music, rock band, rockabilly, Tennessee Three, upright bass