"Country music is the people's music. It really speaks about true to life and about truth and it tells things how they really are." - Faith Hill
Country music is just one of the best selling styles of music in the 20th century. Its origins are generally traced from the first European immigrants who went to America and brought their traditional music from their homelands which first came as ballads and songs from the British territories. Their early life on the Southern Appalachian Mountains as well as in the West wasn't simple and music was the only method to express their feelings.
The banjo, that was then the slaves' version of the fiddle, was the sole lead instrument of the early American folk songs. It was initially used and popularized inside the rural communities by the African-Americans. The introduction of country music was widely influenced by the interaction of European, African and American cultures. Later in the 1900's, the steel guitar and drums entered as major accompanying instruments for this music.
The popularity of country music began to grow in the 1920's and it was often exclusively utilized to relate to hillbilly music. Its entrance to America has remarkably flourished. In 1930's, as radios arrived in the scene, it rapidly became a popular form of entertainment. WSM's Grand Ol' Opry, soon became a popular radio show in Nashville, Tennessee and gave rise to country singer stars. This place was eventually referred to as the birthplace of country music.
Country music's stylistic origins primarily came from maritime folk music, gospel, blues, bluegrass, anglo- celtic music, Appalachian folk music and old-time music.
The introduction of other instruments such as the Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Piano, Drums and Electronic Keyboard made country music more interesting to both old and young country musicians. The changing instrumentation had dramatically drawn more country stars not just from Nashville but across the United States Of America.
Today, this music is considered the best-selling genres close to rock and pop music. Country music has remarkably evolved, which is now often useful to describe a range of styles, fusion genres and subgenres.
Let's catch a peek at how country music has evolved and the way it paved a way for the prominence of today's superstars. As usual, music dictionary will undoubtedly be with you along the way.
Early stars of country music
Country music's rise to fame was started by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family in the 1920's. They were well known for the fusion of country, blues, jazz, cowboy, gospel and folk. His "Blue Yodel" composition became an immediate hit that sold more than a million records which catapulted him to stardom in early country music.
The Hillbilly boogie
The craze of Hillbilly music was sparked by Johnny Bartfield's recording of "Boogie Woogie" in 1939. The song quickly became a hit and shortly was considered the very first country boogie. The "Freight Train Boogie" had also been a notable contribution to the combined journey of country music and blues to the direction of another subgenre, the rockabilly.
Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel
After World War 2, Bluegrass, which actually started from the name "Blue Grass Band" the group name of Bill Monroe emerged, along with Gospel and Folk music that later replaced Hillbilly. This fusion named "country and Western" eventually topped within the music charts in 1949.
The Nashville Sound
Country Music took its toll in 1950-1960 as soon as the Nashville Sound was developed. The blending of big band jazz, swing pop styling along with storytelling refined country right into a multi-million dollar industry replacing the honky-tonk style. The adoption of the smooth elements was pioneered by the Nashville A-Team. The Prominent musicians during this period were Jim Reeves and Eddy Arnold and Jim Ed Brown.
Outlaw Country
Regarded as a subgenre that revolutionized country music in the 1970's and 1980's, Outlaw Country was inspired by the traditional honky tonk sounds of the previous era. This style was often linked with, to name a few, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. Gary Stewart. A number of other sub-genres emerged in the following years.
Alternative Country
Just about the most popular sub-genres during the 90's was alternative country. 1990's was a significant decade within the past of country music in which a diverse group of musicians and singers away from the mainstream country music converged and incorporated the influences of punk and alternative styles. Ryan Adams, Lyle Lovett and Will Oldham were a few of prominent alternative country superstars with this decade.
20th Century Superstars
A number of rock and pop stars boldly crossed-over with country plus the beautiful infusion of their styles and music. Richard Marx along with his "Days In Avalon" album, Bon Jovi and Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Hootie and also the Blowfish and George Strait were the popular artists who gained record-breaking success in this genre.
Country music is just one of the best selling styles of music in the 20th century. Its origins are generally traced from the first European immigrants who went to America and brought their traditional music from their homelands which first came as ballads and songs from the British territories. Their early life on the Southern Appalachian Mountains as well as in the West wasn't simple and music was the only method to express their feelings.
The banjo, that was then the slaves' version of the fiddle, was the sole lead instrument of the early American folk songs. It was initially used and popularized inside the rural communities by the African-Americans. The introduction of country music was widely influenced by the interaction of European, African and American cultures. Later in the 1900's, the steel guitar and drums entered as major accompanying instruments for this music.
The popularity of country music began to grow in the 1920's and it was often exclusively utilized to relate to hillbilly music. Its entrance to America has remarkably flourished. In 1930's, as radios arrived in the scene, it rapidly became a popular form of entertainment. WSM's Grand Ol' Opry, soon became a popular radio show in Nashville, Tennessee and gave rise to country singer stars. This place was eventually referred to as the birthplace of country music.
Country music's stylistic origins primarily came from maritime folk music, gospel, blues, bluegrass, anglo- celtic music, Appalachian folk music and old-time music.
The introduction of other instruments such as the Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Piano, Drums and Electronic Keyboard made country music more interesting to both old and young country musicians. The changing instrumentation had dramatically drawn more country stars not just from Nashville but across the United States Of America.
Today, this music is considered the best-selling genres close to rock and pop music. Country music has remarkably evolved, which is now often useful to describe a range of styles, fusion genres and subgenres.
Let's catch a peek at how country music has evolved and the way it paved a way for the prominence of today's superstars. As usual, music dictionary will undoubtedly be with you along the way.
Early stars of country music
Country music's rise to fame was started by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family in the 1920's. They were well known for the fusion of country, blues, jazz, cowboy, gospel and folk. His "Blue Yodel" composition became an immediate hit that sold more than a million records which catapulted him to stardom in early country music.
The Hillbilly boogie
The craze of Hillbilly music was sparked by Johnny Bartfield's recording of "Boogie Woogie" in 1939. The song quickly became a hit and shortly was considered the very first country boogie. The "Freight Train Boogie" had also been a notable contribution to the combined journey of country music and blues to the direction of another subgenre, the rockabilly.
Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel
After World War 2, Bluegrass, which actually started from the name "Blue Grass Band" the group name of Bill Monroe emerged, along with Gospel and Folk music that later replaced Hillbilly. This fusion named "country and Western" eventually topped within the music charts in 1949.
The Nashville Sound
Country Music took its toll in 1950-1960 as soon as the Nashville Sound was developed. The blending of big band jazz, swing pop styling along with storytelling refined country right into a multi-million dollar industry replacing the honky-tonk style. The adoption of the smooth elements was pioneered by the Nashville A-Team. The Prominent musicians during this period were Jim Reeves and Eddy Arnold and Jim Ed Brown.
Outlaw Country
Regarded as a subgenre that revolutionized country music in the 1970's and 1980's, Outlaw Country was inspired by the traditional honky tonk sounds of the previous era. This style was often linked with, to name a few, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. Gary Stewart. A number of other sub-genres emerged in the following years.
Alternative Country
Just about the most popular sub-genres during the 90's was alternative country. 1990's was a significant decade within the past of country music in which a diverse group of musicians and singers away from the mainstream country music converged and incorporated the influences of punk and alternative styles. Ryan Adams, Lyle Lovett and Will Oldham were a few of prominent alternative country superstars with this decade.
20th Century Superstars
A number of rock and pop stars boldly crossed-over with country plus the beautiful infusion of their styles and music. Richard Marx along with his "Days In Avalon" album, Bon Jovi and Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Hootie and also the Blowfish and George Strait were the popular artists who gained record-breaking success in this genre.
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iMusic Dictionary is the most comprehensive online music dictionary. Learn more about the origin of country music, famous country artists and other country rhythms.
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