American Melodies: Popular Music, Ecology, and the Quest for Community

By Robert McParland

American Melodies is a study of America's varied music genres that is grounded in interviews with folk, rock, and jazz musicians, music listeners, songwriters, and organizers of music programs in communities.

The author explores the dreams and concerns that are being voiced in songs. Through interviews and conversations, he examines how the spirit of jazz, folk music and Americana, country, and rock music bring to life reflection on relationships between people, connection with their communities, and expression of social and ecological concern.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1666973793
• ISBN13: 9781666973792
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 1.1" x 1.1"