History Main / CountryMusic

Country music as a genre of its own originated in the 1920s in the United States, primarily played on string instruments, most notably the acoustic guitar, fiddle, banjo, the big upright bass, and the use of sweet vocal harmonies. It has its roots in the folk ballads of the Appalachian Mountains, which in turn descended from the various folk traditions of the [[UsefulNotes/{{UnitedKingdom}} British Isles]]. Depending on whom you ask, the offshoot genre of {{Bluegrass}} might be referred to as "[[TakeThat good country music]]". In the 1970s, mainstream country developed "Nashville sound", a commercial, radio-friendly style, which layered heavily arranged string sections with lush harmony vocals. A competing, grittier style during the same era called "{{outlaw country|Music}}" which emphasized ThreeChordsAndTheTruth, a more raw singing style, and darker themes. Outlaw country was heavy enough to intrigue PunkRock musicians, some of whom launched cowpunk bands.

** "[[Music/Lemonade2016 Daddy Lessons]]"

* Music/{{Nelly}}

* Music/TheCharlieDanielsBand

* Music/ColterWall

See also: CountryRap, AlternativeCountry, GothicCountryMusic, and OutlawCountryMusic.

Country music as a genre of its own originated in the 1920s in the United States, primarily played on string instruments, most notably the acoustic guitar, fiddle, banjo, the big upright bass, and the use of sweet vocal harmonies. It has its roots in the folk ballads of the Appalachian Mountains, which in turn descended from the various folk traditions of the [[UsefulNotes/{{UnitedKingdom}} British Isles]]. Depending on whom you ask, the offshoot genre of {{Bluegrass}} might be referred to as "[[TakeThat good country music]]". In the 1970s, mainstream country progressed through a "Nashville sound", which layered heavily arranged string sections with lush harmony vocals, and a competing, grittier style called "{{outlaw country|Music}}" which emphasized ThreeChordsAndTheTruth, a more raw singing style, and darker themes. While fiddle and pedal steel continued to be used to add a country flavor, the genre electrified like its pop and rock cousins. Twangy Fender Telecaster electric guitar with a tweed amp became a defining sound, and the electric bass took over the upright bass' role.

Country in the 1980s turned to a pop-heavy sound inspired by the film ''Film/UrbanCowboy''. Like their pop counterparts, ountry artists used synthesizers to add sustained chords to ballads. This followed by a more traditional wave in the 1990s inspired by honky-tonk music. Modern mainstream country music has become a melting pot, ranging from more traditional acts such as Music/GeorgeStrait and Alan Jackson to pop acts such as Music/CarrieUnderwood, and in-betweens such as Music/BradPaisley. Starting in the 1990s, a large number of pop and rock acts, ranging from Music/BonJovi and Music/{{Jewel}} to Music/KidRock and the Music/{{Eagles}}, crossed over to country with varying degrees of success. The crossover acts, in particular Music/TaylorSwift, are often among the most divisive in the fanbase.

Ah, country music. The cousin of American FolkMusic that is mostly associated with places like Texas, men wearing cowboy attire unironically, and old-timey instruments like fiddle, pedal steel guitar and banjo. Despite its widespread notoriety amongst latte-sipping urban coastal city {{Bourgeois Bohemian}}s as a deplorable FlyoverCountry genre, country music is not unpopular, as proved by its successful musicians with top hits. It is by some measures the most listened-to genre of music in the United States. Together with {{Blues}} it was a huge influence on RockAndRoll and {{Rockabilly}}.

Country in the 1980s turned to a pop-heavy sound inspired by the film ''Film/UrbanCowboy'', followed by a more traditional wave in the 1990s inspired by honky-tonk music. Modern mainstream country music has become a melting pot, ranging from more traditional acts such as Music/GeorgeStrait and Alan Jackson to pop acts such as Music/CarrieUnderwood, and in-betweens such as Music/BradPaisley. Starting in the 1990s, a large number of pop and rock acts, ranging from Music/BonJovi and Music/{{Jewel}} to Music/KidRock and the Music/{{Eagles}}, crossed over to country with varying degrees of success. The crossover acts, in particular Music/TaylorSwift, are often among the most divisive in the fanbase.

Ah, country music. The cousin of American FolkMusic that is mostly associated with places like Texas, men wearing cowboy attire unironically, and old-timey instruments like fiddle, pedal steel guitar and banjo. Despite its widespread notoriety amongst latte-sipping urban coastal city {{BourgeoisBohemian}}s as a FlyoverCountry genre, country music is not unpopular, as proved by its successful musicians with top hits. It is by some measures the most listened-to genre of music in the United States. Together with {{Blues}} it was a huge influence on RockAndRoll and {{Rockabilly}}.

Country music as a genre of its own originated in the 1920s in the United States, primarily played on string instruments, most notably the guitar, fiddle and banjo. It has its roots in the folk ballads of the Appalachian Mountains, which in turn descended from the various folk traditions of the [[UsefulNotes/{{UnitedKingdom}} British Isles]]. Depending on whom you ask, the offshoot genre of {{Bluegrass}} might be referred to as "[[TakeThat good country music]]". In the 1970s, mainstream country progressed through a "Nashville sound", which layered the string sections on heavily, and a competing style called "{{outlaw country|Music}}" which emphasized ThreeChordsAndTheTruth, a more raw singing style, and darker themes. Country in the 1980s turned to a pop-heavy sound inspired by the film ''Film/UrbanCowboy'', followed by a more traditional wave in the 1990s inspired by honky-tonk music. Modern mainstream country music has become a melting pot, ranging from more traditional acts such as Music/GeorgeStrait and Alan Jackson to pop acts such as Music/CarrieUnderwood, and in-betweens such as Music/BradPaisley. Starting in the 1990s, a large number of pop and rock acts, ranging from Music/BonJovi and Music/{{Jewel}} to Music/KidRock and the Music/{{Eagles}}, crossed over to country with varying degrees of success. The crossover acts, in particular Music/TaylorSwift, are often among the most divisive in the fanbase.