"The music genre originating in the Southern and Southwestern United States."
A genre of popular music originating in the southern United States, characterized by its use of acoustic guitar, fiddle, and storytelling lyrics.
History of country music: The origins and development of this genre and its signature characteristics.
Important country music figures: The most influential country music artists, producers and songwriters throughout history.
Sub-genres of country music: The different styles of country music, such as outlaw country, bluegrass, and honky-tonk.
Songwriting in country music: The key elements of writing a country music song, such as storytelling, simplicity, and relatability.
Instruments in country music: The traditional and modern instruments used in country music, such as the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and pedal steel guitar.
Vocals in country music: The unique singing styles and sounds in country music, such as twang and yodeling.
Country music industry: How the country music industry works, including record labels, radio, and live performances.
Country music festivals: The biggest country music festivals and events, such as CMA Fest and Stagecoach.
Achievements in country music: Notable moments and achievements in the history of country music, such as Grammys, Country Music Hall of Fame induction and industry awards.
Contemporary country music: The popular country music artists and songs of today.
Music videos in country music: The significance of music videos in promoting country music.
Country music and the American identity: The role of country music in American culture, including its representation of rural life and patriotic themes.
Influences on country music: The musical and cultural influences that have impacted country music, such as gospel, blues and folk music.
Global reach of country music: The impact and popularity of country music around the world.
The debate over what is and what isn't country: The subjective standards for defining country music and the debates that arise over its inclusion or exclusion.
Traditional Country: Also known as honky-tonk, this sub-genre features steel guitars, fiddles, and twangy vocals. Songs in this genre usually tell stories about love, heartbreak, and small-town life.
Outlaw Country: This sub-genre challenged the conventions of Nashville's music establishment in the 1970s. Outlaw country artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings blended country with rock and roll and rebelled against the glossy productions of mainstream country.
Bluegrass: Bluegrass music features fast tempos, intricate melodies, and powerful harmonies. It's commonly played with acoustic instruments like the banjo, mandolin, and fiddle.
Country Pop: This sub-genre combines country music with elements of pop, including electronic instrumentation and catchy hooks. Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban are some of the famous country pop musicians.
Neo-Traditional Country: Emerging in the 1980s, neo-traditional country brought country music back to its roots. Its distinguishing features include strong vocals, twangy guitar, and a focus on storytelling.
Americana: This genre is not confined to country music, but Americana artists often feature country elements in their music. Americana combines rock, folk, bluegrass, and other elements to create storytelling songs that evoke images of the American heartland.
"Country music primarily focuses on working class Americans and blue-collar American life."
"Country music is known for its ballads and dance tunes (also known as 'honky-tonk music') with simple form, folk lyrics, and harmonies."
"Instruments such as banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, and many types of guitars."
"Many other traditions, including African-American, Mexican, Irish, and Hawaiian music, have also had a formative influence on the genre."
"Blues modes have been used extensively throughout its history as well."
"The term country music gained popularity in the 1940s in preference to hillbilly music."
"Contemporary styles of western music include Texas country, red dirt, and Hispano- and Mexican American-led Tejano and New Mexico music."
"In the United States, country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular in the morning commute."
"First produced in the 1920s."
"Simple form, folk lyrics."
"Many types of guitar (including acoustic, electric, steel, and resonator guitars)."
"It came to encompass western music, which evolved parallel to hillbilly music from similar roots."
"Texas country, red dirt, and Hispano- and Mexican American-led Tejano and New Mexico music."
"African-American, Mexican, Irish, and Hawaiian music."
"In the United States, country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular in the morning commute."
"Working class Americans and blue-collar American life."
"Banjos, fiddles, harmonicas, and many types of guitars."
"Simple form, folk lyrics, and harmonies."
"The term country music gained popularity in the 1940s in preference to hillbilly music."