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'''Country music''' is a [[genre]] of music which originated in the rural Southern and Western [[United States]]. It is typified by the heavy use of [[guitar]]s, [[steel guitar]]s, and [[fiddle]]s, and, like its root style [[blues]], an accented 2nd and 4th beat in the drums. Since the mid-60's, [[Nashville, Tennessee]] has been the dominant city involved in this form of music and is even nick-named Music City. However, other cities such as [[Branson, Missouri]], [[Austin, Texas]], and [[Stillwater, Oklahoma]] have also played important roles in its [[progression]]. Although it was born and gained huge success in [[America]], it is also popular in [[Australia]] and [[Canada]] and has moderate prominance in [[Germany]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[Ireland]].

'''Country Music''', or '''Country and Western''', refers to the [[genre]] of music which originated in the rural Southern and Western [[United States]]. It is typified by the heavy use of [[guitar]]s, [[steel guitar]]s, and [[fiddle]]s, and, like its root style [[blues]], an accented 2nd and 4th beat in the drums. Since the mid-60's, [[Nashville, Tennessee]] has been the dominant city involved in this form of music and is even nick-named Music City. However, other cities such as [[Branson, Missouri]], [[Austin, Texas]], and [[Stillwater, Oklahoma]] have also played important roles in its [[progression]]. Although it was born and gained huge success in [[America]], it is also popular in [[Australia]] and [[Canada]] and has moderate prominance in [[Germany]], the [[United Kingdom]], and [[Ireland]].

==History==

==History==

Modern country music (in the later half of the 20th century and beyond) evolved from "hillbilly music," or [[bluegrass]] (which itself has roots in the folk music of the [[Appalachia]]n hills), as well as early blues from the [[deep south]]. Much of that form of music can be attributed to to the [[Scots-Irish]] immigrants to that region who brought much of their music and culture with them. [[Gospel]] music has also had a direct impact due to the origin of many of the performers communities having very strong ties to the [[Christian]] church.

Country and Western's finds its origins in the traditional folk musics of the the United States. The majority of country and western music comes from the two mountainous regions "hillbilly music" of the United States, Country music is attributed to the [[Appalachia]] Mountains with the [[Scots-Irish]] immigrants to that region who brought much of their music and culture with them, and Western music is attributed to the [[Rocky Mountains]] and the expansion of the Scots-Irish music into the formerly French and Spanish territories and blending with French, Spanish, and Mexican music traditions. Music that leans towards the Appalachia roots usually is classified under [[Bluegrass]], whereas music that leans towards Western music can be classified under numerous regional genres, such as; [[Cajun]] and [[Creole music]], [[Texas country]] and [[Tejano music]], and [[New Mexico music]].

In 1922 [[A.C 'Eck' Anderson]] recorded [[Sallie Gooden]]. This song is widely accepted to be the first country song. In 1976, The [[compilation album]], [[Wanted! The Outlaws]] was released. The album featured [[Willie Nelson]], [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Jessie Colter]], and [[Tompall Glaser]]. The release was the first [[country album]] ever to sell one million copies which earned it a [[platinum]] record.

Modern country music (in the later half of the 20th century and beyond) evolved from  or  (which itself has roots in the folk music of the [[Appalachia]]n hills), as well as early blues from the [[deep south]].  

In 1922 [[A.C 'Eck' Anderson]] recorded [[Sallie Gooden]]. This song is widely accepted to be the first recorded country song. In 1976, The [[compilation album]], [[Wanted! The Outlaws]] was released. The album featured [[Willie Nelson]], [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Jessie Colter]], and [[Tompall Glaser]]. The release was the first [[country album]] ever to sell one million copies which earned it a [[platinum]] record.

Many Country songs have to do with [[love]]. More often than not these [[love songs]] are about getting over and moving on when a good thing has been lost. However, there are quite a few that deal with being in love and the happiness it brings to ones life. [[God]] and the [[Christian religion]] are frequently found in this music. [[Alcohol]], whether the joys of or the downfall involved, is also widely heard in [[Country Music]]. Patriotism, along with the support of the military and its veterans, can also be found in every generation of this style. Of all the forms of popular American music, Country is the most active in supporting and promoting the love and defense of America and its values. Other themes include but are not limited to [[hunting]], [[fishing]], [[farming]], [[rural]] lifestyles, [[family]], and the struggles of the [[common man]].

 

The most widely recognized sub-genres of Country music include:

*[[American folk music]]

*[[Country Rock]]

*[[Honky tonk]]

*[[New Mexico music]]

*[[Outlaw country]]

*[[Rockabilly]]

*[[Texas country]]

**[[Tejano music]]

==Artists==

==Artists==

*[[Merle Haggard]]

*[[Merle Haggard]]

*[[Faith Hill]]

*[[Faith Hill]]

*[[Alan Jackson]]

*[[Alan Jackson]]

*[[Shooter Jennings]]

*[[Shooter Jennings]]

*[[Reba McEntire]]

*[[Reba McEntire]]

*[[Lorrie Morgan]]

*[[Lorrie Morgan]]

*[[Willie Nelson]]

*[[Willie Nelson]]

*[[Buck Owens]]

*[[Buck Owens]]

*[[Tammy Wynnette]]

*[[Tammy Wynnette]]

*[[Trisha Yearwood]]

*[[Trisha Yearwood]]

==Bands==

==Bands==

==Famous Families of Country Music==

==Famous Families of Country Music==

*[[The Carter Family]]

*[[The Carter Family]] - [[A. P. Carter]], [[Sara Carter]], [[Maybelle Carter]], [[Helen Carter]], [[Anita Carter]], [[June Carter Cash]], [[Janette Carter]], and [[Joe Carter]].

*[[The Cash Family]] - [[Johnny Cash]], [[Rosanne Cash]], [[Tommy Cash]], and [[John Carter Cash]].

*[[The Cash Family]] - [[Johnny Cash]], [[Rosanne Cash]], [[Tommy Cash]], and [[John Carter Cash]].

*[[The Jennings Family]] - [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Jessie Colter]], and [[Shooter Jennings]].

*[[The Jennings Family]] - [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Jessie Colter]], and [[Shooter Jennings]].

*[[The Seals Family]]

*[[The Seals Family]]

*[[The Williams Family]] - [[Hank Williams, Sr.]], [[Hank Williams, Jr.]], [[Hank Williams III]], and [[Holly Williams]].

*[[The Williams Family]] - [[Hank Williams, Sr.]], [[Hank Williams, Jr.]], [[Hank Williams III]], and [[Holly Williams]].

[[Category:musical Genres]]

[[Category:musical Genres]]