- Country
-
- Alternative Country
- Americana
- Bluegrass
- Contemporary Bluegrass
- Contemporary Country
- Country Gospel
- Honky Tonk
- Outlaw Country
- Traditional Bluegrass
- Traditional Country
- Urban Cowboy
Although musicians had been recording fiddle tunes (known as Old Time Music at that time) in the southern Appalachians for several years, country music truly found its footing in the early 1920s. The first commercial recording of "country music" was "Sallie Gooden" by fiddlist A.C. (Eck) Robertson in 1922 for Victor Records.
Country music was a federation of styles, rather than a monolithic style. Its origins were lost in the early decades of colonization, when the folk dances (Scottish reels, Irish jigs, and square dances, the poor man's version of the French "cotillion" and "quadrille") and the British ballad got transplanted into the new world and got contaminated by the religious hymns of church and camp meetings.
Jimmie Rodgers
Jimmie Rodgers, known as the "Father of Country Music," was an instant national success. He is credited with the first million-selling single, “Blue Yodel #1,” and his catalog of songs, all recorded between 1927 and 1933, established him as the first preeminent voice in country music. Rodgers died from complications of tuberculosis in 1933. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.
In 1923,Fiddlin' John Carson recorded "Little Log Cabin in the Lane" for Okeh Records. Columbia Records followed suit in 1924 with a series of releases, and Vernon Dalhart was the first country singer to have a nationwide hit in May of 1924 with "Wreck of the Old '97.”
The musical styles were reminiscent of their British ancestors. The lyrics, on the other hand, were completely different. The Americans disliked the subject of love, to which they preferred pratical issues such as real-world experiences (ranching, logging, mining, railroads) and real-world tragedies (bank robberies, natural disasters, murders, train accidents).
In 1925, The Skillet Lickers were formed, and "The Dying Cowboy" by Carl T.Sprague was the top country record.
Other types of country music or sounds that aren’t main stream are categorized as alternative country. The term was coined in the 1990s, but can be attributed to any type of country music that was played during a time when it wasn’t popular according to main stream standards.
County pop is perhaps the most listened to today as far as country music goes. It is a blend of country and hip hop and is the sound of many modern artists such as Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, and Shania Twain. Pop country artists are classified under this genre if their country songs cross over and make it onto the top 40 radio pop list. This genre first appeared in Nashville during the 1960s. Most songs include musical sounds from guitars (electric and acoustic), bass, drums, and amazing vocals.
Bluegrass is a fusion of country music, jazz, ragtime, and traditional music. Typical sounds and instruments unique to this genre are: fiddles, guitars, bass, drums, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, and vocals. Dolly Parton is a popular, iconic figure that sings Bluegrass Country music.
Rockabilly, also known as hillbilly music, became popular in the 1950s. Honky tonk, swing, country, and rhythm and blues heavily influenced the sounds that are known as rockabilly. Guitar, drums, double bass, and piano are instruments you will typically find in these types of songs, and they are what make the sound unique.
There are many different genres of country. Other genres are: Bakersfield Sound, Texas Country, Red Dirt, Western Swing, and country rap to name a few.