Introduction to country music
November 15th, 2010 | 
Author: Country music is a combination of traditional and popular musical forms establish in Southern United States, Australian country music and Canadian Maritimes. It found its roots in 1920s and gets swift recognition due to its beauty and charm in 1940s. Country music was highly appreciated in 1970s.Country music is a symbol of many subgenres and styles now a days. The style and sound has altered significantly. Country music has been considered the best form of contemporary music.
Country music has produced many great stars like Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks. Elvis Presley was known as “the Hillbilly Cat”. Garth Brooks became the top selling artist of his own time. The first commercial recoding was done by Victor records in 1922. Country music has some different sounds and styles. The pubs and hotels were crowded on Friday and Saturday with music lovers to listen to the wonderful sound of steel guitars and drum. Al Dexter cut the first record with the real words”HONKY-TONK” in 1936. Tubba’s single, ‘Walking the Floor over you,’ was released in 1941 and one million copies were sold.
Western-Country is a famous form of the country music. These songs often glorify the life of cow-boys. The films made in Hollywood popularized these songs. Patsy Montana was the one, who open the door for female singers in cowboy films singing her hit song,’I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart”. Bob Wills, Tex Williams and Spade Cooley were very popular bands of the era.
Rockabilly was the most popular form of country music in 1950s. It was a combination of rock-and-roll and hillbilly music. Elvis Presley contributed a lot to this type of music. The hit songs on Billboard’s charts were Elvis Presley, ”Heartbreak Hotel”, Johnny Cash,” I Walk the Line,” and Carl Perkins,” Blue Suede Shoes”. Country music gain national television exposure through Ozark Jubilee on ABC-TV and radio in 1955-1960.
In the early 1960s, the Nashville sound builds country music a multimillion – dollar industry in Nashville. More clear and smooth vocal with string section and vocal chorus made this music stunning. Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and Eddy Reeves were the leading artists. Tammy wynette and Charlie Rich joined them in early 1970s. Ray Charles astonished the pop music by paying his concentration to country music (I Cant Stop Loving You).
Country rock was a mixture of customary backlash within split genres. The lead artists were the Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, guitarist Clarence White, Neil Young and many more. Outlaw country music revolutionized the genre of country music. This form of music is associated with Hank Williams. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, with some female singers like Jessi Colter and Sammi Smith.
Country pop was first emerged in the 1970s. Campbell’s,”Rhinstone Cowboy” was the biggest hit in the history of country music. There were many pop stars including Glen Campbell, John Denver, The Ballamy Brothers, Oivia Newton-John and Anny Murray. Many other singers find their success in pop industry like Charlie Rich, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Misap, Lionel Richie and many others with their creativity and style.
Neocountry disco music, Truck driving country, Traditionalist music are some other genre of country music.
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