Country music is an expansive genre, covering numerous subgenres. As part of Americana music, this style includes elements from other genres like pop and rock music.
Conservative Middle-America can be associated with Republican politics, which may put off people who don’t share these same ideologies.
History
Country music is an iconic American genre that originated from multiple cultures and influences, incorporating elements of folk, blues, and Western music into its composition. Country’s history can be broken into multiple eras and influences with each new development shaping the direction of its development.
Country music’s roots can be traced to its European settlers in North America. Immigrants brought with them folktales, folk songs, favorite instruments, and musical traditions from home; combined with rural Appalachia’s acoustic string-band sound this produced country music which eventually commercialized as traditional American music around the 1920s with The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers being the pioneers.
New technologies, such as the phonograph and radio, paved the way for country music‘s spread in America. Singing cowboy film stars such as Gene Autry popularized this genre to an ever-wider audience during this period. Furthermore, various subgenres emerged.
One of the earliest forms was bluegrass music, featuring fiddles and acoustic guitars. Following on this development was honky tonk music with amplified steel guitars creating a gritty sound. Finally rock ‘n’ roll was introduced into this form of music through acts such as Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee Lewis.
While rock and roll music was becoming popular worldwide, country artists clung to traditional roots for new sounds of their own. A battle raged between maintaining tradition while developing new genres.
Country music owes its distinct sound and distinctive twang to this combination, which remains evident today. While country musicians like Dolly Parton kept true to its roots while taking inspiration from pop music influences; others, such as Patty Loveless and Lucinda Williams ventured away from its traditional sound for more progressive styles. Now country music has become an international phenomenon that keeps evolving with each generation.
Styles
Country music encompasses many distinct styles. These styles include Bluegrass, Hillbilly, Outlaw and Country Pop. Country musicians commonly utilize guitars (acoustic and electric), fiddles, banjos and harmonicas in performing these musical pieces; their lyrics often tell stories and focus on topics such as love, heartbreak, family relationships and hard work – often performed with an accented drawl that recalls its Southern origins.
In the 1930s and ’40s, singing cowboy movie stars such as Gene Autry helped popularize country music. Swing jazz also helped spread this genre further; its rhythms and harmonies combined Western country music with big band jazz’s rhythms and harmonies for an engaging hybrid style known as honky-tonk. By World War II’s end, country music had begun its evolution; artists incorporated new influences from rock and roll and urban America while traditional mountain country became more influenced by African American rhythms and instruments which resulted in creating what became known as old-time country.
Modern trends in country music have resulted in the development of multiple new subgenres. Bro-Country features list-like songs about beer, trucks and tailgating; Country Soul adds Funk, Gospel and Motown influences into country tunes, along with more contemporary instrumentation such as drum beats and electronic keyboards for an eclectic yet dynamic listening experience.
Country music is an expansive genre with diverse styles and artists that come under its umbrella. Yet each subgenre of country has roots in classic country, and has elements from other genres that create its unique character and versatility as a form of art.
While some may disagree that categorizing country music into specific styles is impossible, others argue it’s essential. These definitions may be controversial when applied to traditional country music genres but still provide insight into its development over time and what new trends may emerge within its scope. Below is a list of some popular country music styles:
Symbols
Country music culture has many symbols that represent it, such as cowboy hats and cowgirl hats, boots, horses, and Western-related elements such as cowboy boots. Many country music logos also incorporate rustic or vintage designs for an old-fashioned appeal; whatever design style suits you best there’s sure to be a symbol that fits.
Country artists are well known to embrace crossover appeal and incorporate elements from other genres into their music, as evidenced by Florida Georgia Line’s hit “Old Town Road”, which blends country, pop, and hip-hop genres into one song. Its lyrics reference garbage collection rounds and past due utility bills; making the lyrics relatable for many listeners. Their logo features an animal skull as an eye-catching visual.
One of the most enduring symbols associated with country music is the Grand Ole Opry, commonly referred to as the Mother Church of Country Music. Located within an iconic circular building with an ornate rotunda and bearing an enormous sign stating “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?,” this phrase represents its popularity through time.
Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel began to incorporate country influences into their folk rock songs during the 60s folk rock movement, creating what is commonly known as country-rock or Nashville rock music. Many iconic artists like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson became part of this genre during this era; both artists featured shaggy-looking appearances with rugged yet wholesome images that appealed to both young country fans as well as rock ‘n’ roll listeners.
Due to modern technologies and trends, country music’s boundaries have become ever more porous. Time will tell whether modern artists continue blending it with pop and other genres or whether the strict definitions will remain for many decades to come.
Influences
Country music has taken many influences from preexisting forms of popular music, both directly and indirectly. Some influences are readily identifiable – like European immigrants’ folk music or African American blues – while some others are less so: for example, country was strongly influenced by ragtime and jazz from the 1920s (such as those created by Jimmie Rodgers or Carter Family); these musicians pioneered what would later become country music genre. However, some believe this only partially represents what lies at its roots.
During the Great Depression, rural populations were forced into urban centres where they were exposed to new musical influences. One such influence was swing jazz composed by black orchestras; this then gave rise to honky-tonk music featuring steel guitars and strong dance rhythms, performed by artists like Hank Williams. Gospel influences could also be heard within its lyrics that often lamented misfortune.
Country music’s other major influence comes from American Western imagery, with images such as pickup trucks and cowboy hats often found on album covers as a means to evoke nostalgia and patriotism – no surprise then, that country music has become so intrinsic to American culture!
In the 1960s, country music began its transformation into pop music with artists like Patsy Cline and Garth Brooks emerging. Some critics have accused these musicians of ruining country’s integrity while others point out how multiple influences like rock, soul and even Atlanta-based hip-hop helped mold its development.
Modern country music remains an amalgamation of cultures and genres, from Southern gospel and folk traditions to cowboy twang from America’s Western states. Country has become a worldwide phenomenon that continues to influence new types of popular music today.