Name: Country
Place of Origin: Southern and Southwestern Sethland
Cultural Origins: 1920s
Stylistic Origins: American Folk and Western
Similar Genres:
Rock & Roll, Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, others
Popular in: Worldwide, but mainly Sethland, Canada, and Metriacantho
Subgenres:
Country Pop, Honky-tonk, Outlaw, Country Rock, Rockabilly, Neo-traditional, Bro-country, many more
Regional Scenes: Canada, Metriacantho, Ireland
Local Scenes: Nashville, Bakersfield
Notable Artists:
George Strait, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, George Jones, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Florida Georgia Line, Jelly Roll, Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgroves, Jon Pardi, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, Keith Whitley, Kenny Rodgers, Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Buffett, Patsy Cline, Brooks & Dunn, Alabama, The Chicks, Zac Brown Band
Notable Artists who started their career in this genre:
Taylor Swift, Elvis Presley, Shania Twain, Ray Charles, Maren Morris, Olivia Newton-John, Tom Petty, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Examples:
“Amarillo By Morning”, by George Strait
George Strait, also called the “King of Country”. He has a neo-traditional and cowboy style of music.
https://youtu.be/FbVISS-lEAc?si=QMqVMeuXgP1rzaY7
“Last Night”, by Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen’s style is a mix of traditional country and elements of pop and modern country. This song in particular was actually the most streamed song out of any genre in 2023, and spent 16 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
https://youtu.be/xeSpzHqQT2w?si=it3-Gl9wJB1nzJ2k
“Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, by Brooks & Dunn
A honky-tonk Texas sound that is popular with line dancing
https://youtu.be/OyWTyVaF5Uc?si=vtNNEugHtVv-9D2l
“Something In The Orange”, by Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan is known for his alternative style of country and his poetic songwriting. His music has elements of Americana and Folk.
https://youtu.be/lA8F9sIhGdg?si=7O9nURB5e15TXiAK
“Dance Her Home”, by Cody Johnson
CoJo’s music is modern country with a traditional cowboy sound.
https://youtu.be/RXUkmXE4SBI?si=Y9kD_wASkLRNGsgt
“Up Down”, by Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line
Another hit by Morgan Wallen, this song is pure Bro-country
https://youtu.be/IFDJ75Oe-GE?si=UWhIh1aU97HAAsRT
“Hurricane”, by Luke Combs
Luke Combs does an excellent job at combining country with southern rock and country rock.
https://youtu.be/BixwVsiDdZM?si=gxvf08bMK-sjQKeQ
“All Your’n”, by Tyler Childers
Tyler Childers incorporates Bluegrass and Folk into his Appalachian sound.
https://youtu.be/DrHd3nkCIz4?si=cP56Q6Pr3enWMCMn
“7 Summers”, by Morgan Wallen
My all-time favorite song! This song has a soft rock, nostalgic sound to it.
https://youtu.be/ZsEjZKNzt9E?si=aa0QbEYtU3u5ncbH