Country music is a very popular type of music which originated in the southern United States. The 1920s ushered in a real rise in the popularity of country music. This type of music is a wonderful blend of folk music, gospel music, and Celtic music. Country music was called hillbilly music at one time. The term “country music” was introduced during the 1940s when there came to be a belief that the term hillbilly was demeaning. The country music that so many people enjoy today was made by blending the music of many cultures and ethnic groups.

Country music has brought us some of the most successful recording artists. The popular Elvis Presley had his beginnings with country music long before he sang rock and roll hits and became the “king”. Country singer Garth Brooks is the best selling solo artist in the United States. While album sales have really declined in recent years country albums continue to do well.

Nashville came to be known as the epicenter of country music in the USA after the 1940s. Nashville stars such as Hank Williams and Roy Acuff became international stars. While the south is where country music began after the 1960s it became much less regionally based. It is at this time that country music began enjoying huge commercial success. It has become more and more acceptable throughout urban areas as well as rural.

The topics covered by country music lyrics has remained farily consistent during its long history. Some of the more common topics that we see in country music consist of spending time in jail, working hard, and traveling. Some other topics typically addressed in country music include love, religion, and home life. Country music often sings out about the strong feelings that come as a result of a broken heart or homesickness. While there have been many different influences to country music over the years it has its own character which makes it unmistakable.

Murder on Music Row

 Mail this post