Why do we celebrate Rockabilly music at the Rockabilly Round Up?

You'll hear its influence on every form of rock and roll in the last 50 years.

Rockabilly emerged from the roots of country music and blues (with some hillbilly and western swing thrown in) in the early 1950?s And went on to spawn some of the biggest, longest-lasting icons in popular music. Everyone knows Elvis Presley, but many don't know he got his start with Rockabilly music. In 1956, songs by Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley were released that broke nationwide. "Folsom Prison Blues," "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel" forever changed the sound of radio and the habits of the record buying public.

Rockabilly was Rock and Roll. Gretsch guitars, hot cars, greasy hair and pompadours, and big skirts came along with the music.

The music didn't die on February 3rd, 1959, contrary to the assertion by Don McLean. While we lost Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, the influence of Rockabilly music grew.
Virtually every form of rock and roll that followed, including major chart successes like The Beatles and the Rolling Stones drew on rockabilly music as the root of their music. And this continues today.

We celebrate all things Rockabilly, not because we're rooted in the past, but because we're firmly rooted in the here and now. Traditional Rockabilly, modern Rockabilly, Western Rockabilly, punk Rockabilly and you-name-it Rockabilly are all in the mix at The Rockabilly Round Up.