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Syracuse University

“Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?” The use of popular music after Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This single-case study explores the use of popular music in response to the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005. Using research in sociology of disaster and uses and gratifications theory in mass communication, data collected included original music written in response to the hurricane, major benefit concerts that aired in the wake, and re-appropriated music that developed new meaning when used in conjunction to the case. Analysis yielded that popular music was used to raise awareness, raise funds, and express emotion following the disaster. Common themes throughout include the impact of genre on how this was accomplished and the messages it yielded, the power of collective effervescence, and the importance of space and place when dealing with tragedy through music.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mass Communications
Year
2016

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Billinson, Jennifer
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dennis Kinsey

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://surface.syr.edu/etd/650
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:surface.syr.edu:etd-1650

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Syracuse University
Base URL
surface.syr.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Billinson, Jennifer. “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?” The use of popular music after Hurricane Katrina. Dissertation thesis, 2016. https://surface.syr.edu/etd/650