Country Music Research Paper

Country music was one of the first genres to hit America as popular modern music. Today country music has grown into many different styles from when it had begun. It is formed by many popular music forms. Country has grown to all around the world and has affected many people’s lives. I know it has taken a huge part throughout my life. This type of music has been the type you are able to play for any kind of mood you are feeling at the moment and helps you express yourself. Country music developed from the southeastern states of America and Appalachian Mountains and evolved in the 1920’s. It started off as a mix of British Isles type folk music, church music, and African American Blues, but also has roots in Celtic music and old-time music.

Western movie stars became very popular in country music. This was when the industry of country music decided that the “western” look was better for the genre than the “hillbilly” image had been. Many country stars began dressing in western wardrobe bringing in the what we know now as the country look many stars wear today. A genre known as Western Swing became popular during this time. Western Swing was mix of Western music and Swing. This type of music was loud due to the musicians using amplified instruments. The Western Swing musicians used these type instruments so it could be heard in large dance halls. Another popular subgenre arose during this time, known as Rockabilly. Rockabilly was started when Western Swing began playing R&B songs along with country songs. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins picked up on this early in their career and spiking the popularity. Johnny Cash was one of the artist to mix Rockabilly with Honky tonk music. This made Cash a very popular musician in the 1960’s. Honkytonk music was developed in the 1940’s in bars where the working-class met in Texas. This type of music used the acoustic guitar, pedal steel guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, and drums. Many Honky tonk songs consisted of heartbreak, love, pain, and being lonely. Hank Williams was a popular Honky tonk musician. People loved Honky tonk because it was very relatable in their everyday lives. This is what most people refer to as “authentic