In the early 1960s, Johnson County was a hub of musical activity, with local bands such as Larry Emmett and the Sliders, The Bygones, and The Holidays entertaining area teenagers at the two Soc Hop locations. As part of the national counterculture of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Red Ambition became one of the most popular variety dance bands in Northwest Arkansas. The Kansas City style of music was characterized by its loose and relaxed rhythm, as well as its simple arrangements that often featured syncopated and repetitive phrases called riffs. This style gained national attention when Count Basie aired and then toured with a band he formed with the remnants of Walter Page's Blue Devils and Bennie Moten's band.
The Johnson County Park Recreation District & 50 Plus program gives priority to participants who are 50 years of age or older. As part of this program, the band New Horizons from Roeland Park is offered by the Johnson County Parks Department in conjunction with the UMKC Conservatory. In the late 1960s, local rock bands faced many obstacles in their pursuit of success. To overcome these challenges, Parisi joined the Johnson County Park Recreation District's 50 Plus program to form an intergenerational band. So what is the most popular music played by bands in Johnson County? The answer is Kansas City style.
This genre has been popular in the area since the early 1960s and continues to be a favorite among local bands today. It is characterized by its loose and relaxed rhythm, as well as its simple arrangements that often feature syncopated and repetitive phrases called riffs. This style gained national attention when Count Basie aired and then toured with a band he formed with the remnants of Walter Page's Blue Devils and Bennie Moten's band. The Johnson County Park Recreation District & 50 Plus program has also helped to keep this style alive by offering local bands such as New Horizons from Roeland Park. This intergenerational band was formed to help local rock bands overcome the obstacles they faced in their pursuit of success. In conclusion, Kansas City style is the most popular music played by bands in Johnson County.
It is characterized by its loose and relaxed rhythm, as well as its simple arrangements that often feature syncopated and repetitive phrases called riffs.
