So What Is Americana?

I heard the term "Americana" used when I was a kid.

For me, I always thought of Americana as patriotic jewelry, antique knickknacks, and the such.

First known use of the word "Americana" was in 1841. So yes, the term's been around almost as long as our nation has.

Americana has to do with characteristics of American culture, American patriotism, our civilization, things typically American.

Americana celebrates our unique American culture.

And yes, today Americana is a genre of American music having roots in early folk and country music.

Americana refers to artifacts, or a collection of artifacts, mostly related to the history, geography, folklore, and cultural heritage of the United States. The term may be used to describe the theme of a museum or collection, design, or of goods for sale.

There are lots and lots of "stuff" out there that fall within the definition of Americana.

From fashion style to home decor and design, Americana is flags painted on barns, flag print stars, patriotic paintings and prints and drawings, license plates or entire vehicles, household objects, tools and weapons, plaques and statues, and so on.

There are all sorts of examples of Americana, and patriotism and nostalgia play a huge defining role in the subject of something being Americana.

The things involved need not be old, but need to have the appropriate associations.

The term Americana can also be used to describe studies of American culture.

Americana Music

When I was a kid, brass band marching music of say John Philip Sousa was the only "Americana" music that I would have thought of.

Now things are different.



Take for example The Americana Music Festival in Virginia City, Nevada.

It runs from July 19th to 21th, 2013, when nationally known artists in bluegrass, old time, blues and folk music gather in Virginia City for a weekend full of Americana music and good times.

This is not the only festival of its kind, there are Americana Music Festivals going on across the country. Americana music is becoming bigger and more widespread.

Yes, believe it or not, today Americana music is considered contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, something called "roots-rock", folk, bluegrass, blues, which results in a distinctive roots-oriented sound.

And no, it's not the crap that being passed off as "Country Music". Country Music has been hi-jacked by Heavy Metal and Hard Rock wannabes.

Because of that, it's not a surprise that another genre of American music that people can relate to steps up to the plate.

Americana Fashion

As for aspects of Americana, as I said before, there are many aspects to Americana. Take for example, dress and apparel.

When it comes to home decorating or fashion sense, today, both have Americana styles. 

Today "Americana fashion" describes what normal blue-collar Americans have been wearing for years.

For others, it is seen as a "revival" of casual clothing combining everything American from suits, to dressing in flannel shirts and going cowboy - or cowgirl.

And yes, Americana also means "retro" for us folks who still look like we never left the 1950s.

Imagine, we are now fashionable.

For gals out there, as you probably already knew, whether casual or dressy, "Americana Fashion" stresses comfort with an American feel.


For urban folks who want to follow the "trend" and don't know what dressing like an American is all about, my advice is to find yourself a denim and flannel shirt, a pair of Wrangler Jeans that don't hang down below your underwear, find a comfortable pair of work boots or cowboy boots.

It's just that easy, and yes, before you know it, you just might find yourself whistling the Star Spangled Banner!

Believe it or not, I read where the James Dean look has revived old-fashioned barber shops.

I gather this is evidence by the numbers of barber poles cropping up in New York and Los Angeles.

For a different look, fashion type folks are advising men in the city to sport a "Sean Connery" James Bond look if they need to really dress for success at the office.

According to what I've read, Americana style means that Black and Caucasian Americans  might try crew-cuts. And yes, a wavy, longer "Buddy Holly" look can be added to the list for Americana fashion hair styles for men.

Of course, I can't help but wonder if they even know who Buddy Holly is?

After all, his music was understandable and not just loud blaring noise - the guy could sing and had a great voice unlike most of today's so-called singers who depend on loud music to mask the fact that they can't sing.

While the hooker and the punk ass college bum look, or even the European anarchist look, might still be in fashion in a lot of cities, even younger urban folks are starting to pull up there pants from below their ass to dress without looking stupid. 

Am I glad urban Americans youngsters are finding out how to dress American? Yes!  

Just as most everyday Americans already know, that whole ghetto poor ass drug user look, and that whole filthy college student European fashion wannabe look, they are really suck!

And that's not just my opinion, fact is that from leather jackets and jeans to comfortable boots and denim shirts, Americana trends have not only grown in popularity within the cities in the United States but in places like Tokyo, France, London and many other fashion hubs of the world believe it or not.

The concept of dressing in an American style with a combination of comfort and looking good became popular overseas before it hit fashion conscious Americans in our cities here. Imagine that!  

It's been speculated that recognizing heritage, long -term value and quality has created a need for the nostalgia of an era where it once existed while facing uncertain times worldwide.

While I might not call casual American dress Americana, that's what it's called in the Fashion World!

So where's the Stars & Stripes?

Well, there you have it, while some city folks see Americana as a "fashion," most folks in our country know that Americana has everything to do with Patriotism and the Red, White, & Blue!

And yes, Americana clothing and accessories are endless! 

Besides nicknack's and such for the home, there are rings, bracelets, ear-rings, hats, shirts, shorts, jackets, you name it in Americana these days.

No, its not just your grandma's picture of the flag on a cushion on the sofa - there are a lot more things out there celebrating being American.

I know full well that there are those folks out there who don't like the idea of someone wearing what looks like Old Glory.

And I agree if it's in bad taste, Americana or not, they should not wear it.

But I also know that I'll take someone displaying love and pride of America over some of those Communist Occupy Wall Street protester jerks any day!

What they did to our flag using the excuse of "Free Speech" should be criminal.

Fact is, most Americans are proud to be Americans and love to show their patriotism by wearing the red, white and blue stars and stripes of the American flag.

Inspired by American patriotism, Americana clothing features patriotic styles to help you express your American love and pride.

 

       

      

Is there Americana home design? You bet there is!

Americana home decorating describes a style that is both appealing and casual using a "Patriotic Theme."

From "full steam ahead" to a little more subtle, there are all sorts of Americana ideas going on these days both inside and out.

 

       

Americana home design is full of easy to care for materials that make it perfect for families with children.

From everything that I've read about this, this style can be patriotic, primitive, rustic, or country farmhouse, but most often it is a combination of all four.

So yes, it probably looks like most of our homes.

Americana decorating includes many different motifs, including geography, folk art, and history, which can be adapted in a number of ways.

Some folks do a great deal of searching for handmade home decor quality Americana accessories and furniture pieces, while other furnish simply using an American theme.

 

 

Here are some examples of pure Americana the beautiful!

 

  

 

 

 

 

So what is Americana?

Yes, it's love!

Story by Tom Correa