COUNTRY
Time Frame:
Country music has been around since 1927 when the first country artists were signed to a major record label. Also, in 1924, the Grand Ole Opry radio show was formed which spawned the widespread discovery and popularization of country artists. Country music has remained a popular genre since then shifting and morphing its styling to follow culture.
Description:
In the 40’s, country music began being used as a genre for what had originally been called “hillbilly” music. During that time the term “hillbilly” was recognized as a degrading term. The musical stylings of country range from bluegrass (heavily focused on the fiddle, banjo, and mandolin taking long improvised solos) to the Nashville sound (more refined, “smooth strings” style of many Nashville artists during the honky-tonk period) to Country pop (the fusion of country music with popular music).
Roots:
Country music’s roots derive from a combination of Appalachian folk music, blues, spirituals, and Celtic music.
Subgenres:
Bluegrass
Country folk
Honky-tonk
Nashville sound
Neotraditional Country
Outlaw Country
Rockabilly
Western swing
Country Pop
Influential Artists:
The Beginnings/Old Country:
Jimmy Rodgers
Hank Williams
Carter Family
George Jones
Kenny Rogers
Johnny Cash
Patsy Cline
Dolly Parton
Loretta Lynn
Gene Autry
Willie Nelson
Roy Rogers
Charlie Pride
Waylon Jennings
Merle Haggard
Alabama
Reba McEntire
Bluegrass Movement:
Bill Monroe
Flatt & Scruggs
Foggy Mountain Boys
Yonder Mountain String Band
Trampled by Turtles
Modern Country:
Garth Brooks
George Strait
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
Lee Ann Womack
Carrie Underwood
Shania Twain
Dixie Chicks
Tim McGraw
Kenny Chesney
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band