Join us Thursday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. for a Legacy Lecture by James Thompson at our building in Lexington, Virginia, and streaming live online. A book signing and reception will follow the lecture.
Nashville’s Role in Cold War Patriotism
Country music maintains a special, decades-long relationship to American military life, but there’s more to the genre’s patriotic reputation than flag-waving artists and songs like Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”
This insightful presentation from Joseph Thompson explores the historic connection between country music and the American military, discussing how Nashville’s country music leaders partnered with the Pentagon to promote both military service and their own records. Starting in the 1950s, the military played country music on armed forces radio, hosted concerts at bases worldwide, and drew on artists like Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn to support recruitment efforts.
Thompson will highlight how these collaborations boosted the country music industry and shaped views on patriotism. By examining the roles of a wide variety of historical actors, from country artists to military officials, he will reveal their impact on race relations, political divisions, and America’s international image.
How can I attend?
The event is free to the public, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, or for more information about the event, contact [email protected] or call 540.463.7103, ext. 138.
How can I watch from home?
The presentation will also be livestreamed on the Marshall Foundation YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2Or0E8D) simultaneously. Viewers of the stream are encouraged to write questions using the live video chat (to the lower right of the video) or via email at [email protected]. Chat will be monitored for abusive comments.
Who is James Thompson?
Joseph M. Thompson is assistant professor of history at Mississippi State University. His first book, Cold War Country: How Nashville’s Music Row and the Pentagon Created the Sound of American Patriotism (The University of North Carolina Press, 2024), traces the economic, political, and symbolic connections between the country music industry and the military-industrial complex since World War II. His other writings on music, race, and politics have appeared in the scholarly journals Southern Cultures, Modern American History, and American Quarterly. He has also published essays in several edited collections, as well as pieces in outlets like the Washington Post and Time. He is currently conducting research for his second book, tentatively titled “Rebel Records: The Lost Cause and the Roots of Country Music.”
The George C. Marshall Foundation Legacy Series is sponsored by Edward Jones and Raymond James & Associates.
