country

Popular music of the white US South and West; it originated in the 20th century and evolved from the folk music of the English, Irish, and Scottish settlers, and contains some blues influence. Instruments commonly used are slide guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Lyrics typically extol family values and traditional sex roles, and often have a strong narrative element. Country music includes a variety of regional styles, and ranges from mournful ballads to fast and intricate dance music.

Country music emerged from traditional string band music from the rural USA and gained popularity through radio during the 1920s. In 1923 John Carson was one of the first country music artists to have a hit record. By the end of the 1930s the Grand Ole Opry theatre and radio show, showcasing country music, was broadcasting nationwide from Nashville, Tennessee. As rural populations began to shift to cities, country music was both influenced by and had an influence on folk, gospel, rhythm-and-blues, and rock and roll music. After World War II country music became popular with mainstream audiences. Roy Acuff and Hank Williams during the 1940s, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Charlie Rich, and Loretta Lynn during the 1950s and 1960s, and Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton during the 1970s, were all great influences on country music. Toward the end of the 20th century artists that merged country with pop, such as Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, achieved great commercial success.