This text provides an overview of the four major areas of American contemporary music: jazz, rock, country, and musical theater. Each genre is approached chronologically with the emphasis on the socio-cultural aspects of the music. Readers will appreciate Joyner's engaging writing style and come away with the fundamental skills needed to listen critically to a variety of popular music styles.

Part I Tin Pan Alley and the Theater
Chapter 1 Tin Pan Alley and American Popular Song
Chapter 2 American Musical Theater

Part II The African-American Tradition
Chapter 3 African Origins and Acculturation in the New World
Chapter 4 Early Commercialization of African-American Music
Chapter 5 American Blues Traditions
Chapter 6 Jazz in New Orleans and Chicago
Chapter 7 Jazz Pioneers in Chicago
Chapter 8 Big Bands and the Swing Years
Chapter 9 Popular Styles in Jazz Since the Swing Era

Part III Country Music and the Anglo-American Tradition
Chapter 10 The Folk Origins of Country Music
Chapter 11 Early Commercialization of Country Music
Chapter 12 Country Meets Western
Chapter 13 Nashville Becomes Music City, U.S.A.
Chapter 14 From Bluegrass to Young Country

Part IV Rock and the Gathering of America's Music
Chapter 15 The Origins and Development of Early Rock
Chapter 16 Fifties Pop and Folk Rock
Chapter 17 The British Invasion
Chapter 18 Psychedelic Rock and Roots Revivalists
Chapter 19 Gospel, Soul, and Motown
Chapter 20 From Progressive Rock to Reggae in the Seventies
Chapter 21 Hard and Soft Rock in the Seventies
Chapter 22 New Heights and High Tech in the Eighties
Chapter 23 Many Sounds From Many Places in the Nineties