About
GCMA
WHAT IS THE GENUINE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION?​
The Genuine Country Music Association was formed in November of 2009, as a Missouri Non-Profit Corporation, affectionately referred to as “GCMA”. It was formed by several Mid-Missouri “Traditional Country Music” musicians and performers. Some have performed professionally on tour with various music groups, both in the past and present. Their goal as expressed in the Corporation laws is:
“To operate for charitable, education, literary and benevolent purposes, dedicated to the preservation and perpetuating the past and understanding of country music, its performers and groups and other persons associated with the country music industry.”
The original founders were Tony Smith, of Camdenton, John Farrell, of Osage Beach, and Brad Rigby of Lincoln, all Traditional Country Musicians. The operating capital of the association comes from the membership dues and donations. The association has received certification from the IRS as a 501c(3) tax exempt organization, therefore donations are tax deductible.
​
It is the function of the association to sponsor and promote “Traditional Country Music Festivals” by conducting the music festivals and at the same time raising funds for worthy charitable purposes. It’s first such festival was held in Knobnoster, MO and the charity was St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Other festivals have benefitted Wounded Warriors, Relay for Life, State Fair Community College, Lake Ozark Campus and Lake Ozark Soccer Association (LOSA).
​
GCMA "The Real Thing"
Genuine Country Music Association
We are an organization reaching out to help others utilizing amazing artists and bands who want to preserve, endorse & promote Traditional Country Music.
WHAT IS GENUINE COUNTRY MUSIC?​
Genuine Country Music is an original American art form that was developed by the many groups of people that settled in this country in the 1600’s. Country music came from the folk tradition that various settlers brought here from Europe and points beyond. The music was played mainly on stringed instruments such as guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. The players would gather together at barns, schools and churches and provide the music for dances in most rural communities. The dances were jigs, reels, waltzes, schottisches, and polkas. Many of these dances were brought to this country from places like Ireland, Germany and Spain as well as Scandinavian and African countries.
Country music developed slowly through the next two centuries. Once the twentieth century arrived, radio broadcasting and sound recordings came into being. Things really took off from this point. There were many string bands recording and performing on the radio in the mid to late 1920’s. It was then when Ralph Peer discovered Jimmy Rodgers and The Carter Family in Bristol, Tennessee during a talent search.
They became the first super stars of country music, inspiring generations of musicians to come. People like Bob Wills, Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price and Willie Nelson developed country music while giving it their own individual sound and always being aware of its roots.
Country Music continued to grow in the following decades, due in large part to the great live radio programs like The Grand Ole Opry on WSM in Nashville, Tennessee, The WLS Barn Dance in Chicago, Illinois, The Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, and The Ozark Jubilee in Springfield, Missouri. Television helped country music’s popularity as well. There were wonderful shows like The Town Hall Party on the West Coast, The Ernest Tubb Show, The Wilburn Brothers Show, The Porter Wagoner Show, and The Johnny Cash Show to name a few.
Country Music continues to enjoy great popularity as we move through the 21st Century. In spite of this, the sound of the music has become somewhat homogenized in recent years. We presume by trying to reach a larger audience many performers and recording artists have lost sight of the traditions and sounds that give country music its identity.
Here in Missouri, The Genuine Country Music Association is preserving the traditions and heritage of this great original American music style. It’s being done by putting on wonderful live country music shows with the great artists that are keeping “The Real Thing” alive.
GCMA "The Real Thing"
Genuine Country Music Association
We are an organization reaching out to help others utilizing amazing artists and bands who want to preserve, endorse & promote Traditional Country Music.