How Old is Country Music?

Find out when country music got its start and how it has changed over the years by exploring the history of the genre.

Origins of Country Music

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western and folk music. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, fiddles, and harmonicas.

Pre-bluegrass

Pre-bluegrass music was popular in the early 1920s and is a direct predecessor of bluegrass. This type of music is generally characterized by its use of string instruments and focus on American folk songs. One of the most famous pre-bluegrass musicians was Jimmie Rodgers, who is often referred to as the “Father of Country Music.”

Bluegrass

Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and is a related genre of country music. Bluegrass got its name from the Blue Grass Boys, a Kentucky-based band who popularized the style in the 1940s. It is characterized by use of the banjo and guitar, improvisation, and a high-pitched vocal style. Traditional bluegrass tends to be conservative musically and lyrically.

The genre has its origins in the music of the Appalachian region of the United States, specifically in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee. The name “bluegrass” is derived from the plant known as Poa pratensis, or Kentucky bluegrass, which is found in these states.

Bluegrass was originally developed by Scottish and Irish immigrants who settled in Appalachia in the 18th century. These settlers brought with them their own musical traditions, which were influences on the development of bluegrass. One early influence was the fiddle music of Scotland and Ireland. This music was brought to Appalachia by Scottish and Irish immigrants during the 18th century, and it had a significant impact on the development of bluegrass.

Appalachian folk music was also an important influence on bluegrass. This type of music is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, banjo, and guitar; its focus on storytelling; and its use of traditional lyrics. Appalachian folk music was passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition, and it had a significant impact on the development of bluegrass.

Bluegrass was further developed in the 1940s by bands such as The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. These bands took elements of Appalachian folk music and added elements from other genres such as jazz and blues. This resulted in a new type of music that was exciting and energetic.

Today, bluegrass is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has been influenced by other genres such as rock and roll, jazz, and pop, but it remains true to its roots in Appalachian folk music.

Development of Country Music

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the folk music of the Appalachian Mountains and the music of the old West. Country music has generally been seen as a product of the American South, but its popularity has now spread throughout the United States and to other countries as well.

Country music in the United States

Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the southeastern genre of American folk music and Western music. Blues modes have been used extensively throughout its recorded history.

Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms, folk lyrics, and harmonies mostly accompanied by string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, steel guitars (such as pedal steels and dobros), and fiddles as well as harmonicas. Styles of country included inspired by blues, bluegrass, corridos, Cunningham fiddle tunes, downtempo hillsbilly music, honky-tonk, gospel and polkas. According to Lindsey Starnes, the term country music gained popularity in the 1940s in preference to earlier terms such as hillbilly music; it came to encompass Western music, which evolved parallel to rock ‘n’ roll.

In 2009 in the United States country music was the most listened to Rush Limbaugh show with 23 million listeners; it was also the most listened to radio station in South Dakota. It is also a large part of popular culture in many regions of the United States. Many styles of alternative country became popular in the 1990s, including Bluegrass revivalism as spearheaded by performers such as Alison Krauss and Ralph Stanley

Country music in Canada

Country music in Canada has a long history. Influenced by American country music, it has developed its own unique sound and style. Canadian country artists have been able to achieve success in both Canada and the United States.

The first commercial country music recordings in Canada were made by farmer and fiddler Neil Christmas of Nova Scotia in 1922. These recordings were made onphonograph cylinders which were marketed by the Cripple Creek Phonograph Company of New Brunswick.

In the 1930s, country music began to be broadcast on Canadian radio stations. The first Canadian country music radio program was called “The Lonely Farmhouse” and was broadcast on CKRM out of Regina, Saskatchewan.

In the 1940s, putting transcription discs of American country music broadcasts on the air was extremely popular with Canadian radio listeners. Many of these discs were sent to radio stations by fans of the music who had recorded them off the air.

One of the most popular shows during this time was “Grand Ole Opry” from Nashville, Tennessee. At its peak in the late 1940s, “Grand Ole Opry” was being broadcast daily on more than 500 radio stations across North America, including many in Canada.

In 1947, Canadian musician Portia White became the first black person to perform at the “Grand Ole Opry”. In 1948, one of White’s songs, “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands”, became a hit in both Canada and the United States. It topped the Country & Western chart in Billboard magazine for seven weeks.

Contemporary Country Music

Country music in the 21st century

The 21st century has seen a renewed interest in country music, with a more contemporary sound that draws on elements of pop, rock, and hip hop. This new sound has been led by artists such as Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, and Sam Hunt.

Country music in the 21st century is characterized by its diversity and inclusion of different genres. This has led to increased popularity of the genre, as well as itsgrassroots beginnings.

Popular country music artists

There are many popular country music artists today that are keeping the genre alive and well. Some of these artists include:

– Blake Shelton
– Carrie Underwood
– Florida Georgia Line
– Keith Urban
– Luke Bryan
– Miranda Lambert
– Reba McEntire
– Tim McGraw