The History Of Country Music

With the rise of popular stars such as Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, many people think that country music is a new genre. The truth is that country has a long standing tradition in American music, going all the way back to the 1930's. The history of this music is important to understand if someone is curious about how it has become such an immensely popular genre today.

When country music first hit the popular music scene in the 1930's, it was in a form known as honky tonk music. The genre was typically identified by the use of steel guitars and drums that were so popular among listeners. Although Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams were the biggest stars of the day, it was Al Dexter who coined the phrase "honky tonk" and used it in one of his songs.

As country music began to evolve in the 1940's, it took on a new style that was best described as western music. Gene Autry and Roy Rogers made this style popular with songs that talked about the ups and downs of life as a cowboy. Most of the songs included a lonely solo from some kind of wind instrument, such as a flute.

These days, country music has taken a far more modern twist and is, in many ways, indistinguishable from other popular music heard on the radio. Stars such as Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson have held onto the musical roots of country, but have started singing songs with a contemporary, party edge. The result has been country music quickly becoming one of the most popular genres in America today.

If someone loves country music of today, they should become familiar with the historic roots of country music. Dating back to the 1930's, artists were creating music that would influence the artists everyone enjoys so much today. Although the sound has evolved greatly, contemporary artists owe quite a lot to the country stars that came before them.

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