Country music scholars generally overlook the role that African-Americans played in the formation of this genre. Typically, scholars trace the birth of country music to the recording sessions that record producer and talent scout Ralph Peer held in Bristol, Tennessee, in 1927. However, the origins of country music go back much further and owe a great deal to African-American musicians, some known and some anonymous and unheralded. The banjo, field hollers, and gospel music are examples of country genre staples that are rooted in the African-American experience. Moreover, some of the "stars" of country music learned their trade from African-American musicians. Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne, for instance, educated Hank Williams. In addition to jazz, gospel, and the blues, country music now clearly needs to be included in the list of musical genres that have an African-American lineage.

Consider each of the following answer choices separately and select all that apply.

It can be inferred from the passage that the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements concerning the contributions of African-Americans to country music?

A. Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne is responsible for teaching Hank Williams the banjo, field holler, and gospel.
B. African-Americans were instrumental in developing country music and for teaching it to some of the well-known musicians in the field.
C. Jazz music is commonly acknowledged to have African-American lineage.



According to the passage, the “African-American experience” (line 12) is crucial to country music because other previously established African-American genres

A. other previously established African-American genres provided the instrumental and vocal basis for country music
B. other previously established African-American genres were not as well developed as country music
C. other previously established African-American genres preceded country music
D. other previously established African-American genres weakened the popularity of country music
E. other previously established African-American genres were more accepted and conventional than country music