Country Music: A genre well enjoyed.

Example Country Artists:

Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Blake Shelton - Hillbilly Bone
Rodney Atkins - Cleaning This Gun
George Strait - Ace In The Hole

Stylistic Origins:
Folk music, blues, bluegrass, gospel, anglo, old-time music

Cultural Origins:
Early 20th century, Atlantic Canada, Southern U.S.A.

Typical Instruments:
Guitar, bass, electronic bass, Dobro, electric guitar, steel guitar, pedal, steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, Double bass, fiddle, piano electronic keyboard, drums, harmonica, vocals.

Facts About The Genre:

Country music is a blend of traditional and popular musical forms found in the southern U.S. and Canadian Maritimes. It became popular quite quick in the early 1920's.

The term 'country music' came in the 1940's when the earlier term 'hillbilly music' was basically tossed out the window.

Country produced 2 top selling solo artists of all times. One of them being Elvis Presley who was also known as the 'Hillbilly Cat'. He sold 129.5 million albums. Another artist who made it big in the Country Music Industry was Garth Brooks who sold 128 million albums.

In 2005, country music declined drastgically. But in 2006, country had one of their best years yet.

People often think of country as a creation of the European-Americans, but the major instrument; the banjo, came from the African-Americans.

The oldest country star alive to this day is good ol' Willie Nelson. Some of his hit songs are 'And Then I Wrote (1962)', 'Stardust (1978), and 'Honeysuckle Rose (1980).

Now a days country is so popular, there is a specific channel on tv strictly for country music called 'CMT' on channel 38 on normal cable tv.

The types of lyrics that are being sung in these country songs, are things about life: from high school lovers, to tractors they have, to heartache, etc. Stuff about everyday life. You may think it sounds lame, but im sure you can agree it's better than singing about all the money they have and how many girls they can get to go to bed with them haha!

Country music has come a long way, and is becoming even more successfull, especially with the new country music hits that are out. And personally it's only getting better.

  

        Willie Nelson                    Elvis Presley           Johnny Cash