International Country Music Day!

Holly_Scope

The origins of country music trace back to the 1920’s when the first country music was recorded and the genre has continued to evolve since making it popular around the world today!

Here’s a look at the timeline of country music!

1927 The Bristol Sessions were held in Tennessee by a record producer called Ralph Peer. This event famously brought together notable artists such as Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family together to record their music and so is often referenced as the birth of country music.

1930s The subgenre "Western Swing" began emerging. Spearheaded by artists like Milton Brown and Bob Wills, it was a lively and danceable subgenre that blended jazz, blues and country. Made of energetic rhythms and improvised solos, it helped shape future country and rockabilly music.

1940s Saw the introduction of “Honky Tonk”. This was characterised by it’s emotional, raw lyrics about heartbreak and every day struggles. Some notable artists of this genre include Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb.

Cowboys singing in movies and on the radio also became popular over this decade with people such as Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.

1950s “Rockabilly” became popular, especially with young audiences. This subgenre is described as a crossover between country and rock and roll. Artists such as Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley fused together elements of country, blues and rock to create their unique sound.

1960s Marked the introduction of the “Nashville Sound” which was a very polished and orchestrated style including elements of pop and smooth harmonies giving it a mainstream appeal. A few famous artists using this style include Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline. This subgenre laid the foundation for country-pop of the following decades.

1970s saw in “Outlaw Country” and “Country Rock”

Outlaw Country was a rebellion against the polished Nashville Sound with a raw image. It was popularised by artist like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.

Country Rock however experiments with blending rock and country and brought a new generation of fans to country music. Bands such as The Eagles and The Byrds used this genre.

1990s During this era, we saw a rise of “Contemporary Country” which involved mixing elements of pop, rock, and country and there was a surge in country music popularity thanks to artists like Shania Twain and Garth Brooks who achieved great success in the mainstream charts with this.

Where we are today! 😊

Country music continues to grow and diversify, mixing pop, hip-hop and rock. A few current popular artists are Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Keith Urban.

Do we have any country music fans within the community? I'd love to hear about your favourite artists, songs etc. 🎵

Albus_Scope

I'm not a huge country fan, but I do love a bit of Willie Nelson. 😊

66Mustang

I don't know much about country music but I like some singers like Dolly Parton, I'm not sure if that counts as country

My granddad in his earlier stages of dementia impulsively bought himself a caravan and invited us to go and stay in it with him. He offered to drive us all up in a huge posh car he'd also impulsively bought, and it had a 5-CD changer, very posh at the time. He packed enough Val Doonican CDs for the 3 hour journey but my parents decided to hide them before we set off. 😆