Country music

Country music is a musical genre that is usually said to have originated in the southern United States when in fact European immigrants brought some of the aspects of country music here with them. Some of the most valuable possessions that they would bring across the ocean with them were musical instruments. These might include the Italian mandolin, the Spanish guitar, the Irish fiddle, the German dulcimer, and the West African banjo.
The first generation of country music is referring to the time period of the 1920’s. The music scene of the 1920’s in Atlanta produced some of the first recordings of country music artists. This is likely why country music is often thought to have originated in the southern United States. The people of Appalachia migrated to the big city in order to work in the cotton mills and they of course brought their music, and folk tales with them.
Country music’s first recordings were “Turkey in the Straw” and the “Arkansas Traveler” and they were recorded by Henry Gilliland and A.C. Robertson. Some of the most important artists of country’s first generation were Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter family. The Carter family actually recorded more than 300 songs and the first of these recordings were made at the Bristol Sessions. This historic event occurred on August 1, 1927, and Ralph Peer was the talent scout who discovered them and recorded them. The Grand Ole Opry started airing on the radio in 1925 and is still on the air today, although more people watch it on television than listen to it on the radio.
The second-generation of country music was in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Great Depression reduced people’s abilities to buy musical recordings so most people got their musical entertainment fr...

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...from one genre to the next. Generally any songs that crossed over from the country charts to the Top 40 charts were labeled as country pop.
The fifth generation of country music was during the 90’s. Country music became more popular across the globe during the 90’s. This was due in part to more radio play of country music and to such enigmatic country music stars as Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, and Alan Jackson. Faith Hill, Leann Rimes, and Shania Twain are some of the female artists that became popular in the 90’s and are still popular today.
The sixth generation of country music started in 2000’s and carries on through present day. Country music is an extremely popular genre of music and it will be interesting to see where it will lead in the future. Who knows what future generations might think of the country music that we hear on the radio today?