Deconstructing the Course of Country Music

The genre of country music is a popular American sub-category with its roots in American folk and blues. Country music originated in the early 1920s in the southern states of the USA. As per technical identifying characters, country music is an integrated component of simple lyrics and harmonies relying mostly upon a folksy creative line. Country or hillbilly is typically characterized by backing instruments like banjos, acoustic guitars, harmonicas, and fiddlers among other things. Blues is also significantly virtuous in country music compositions that have introduced the industry to the essence of ballads and musical infusions. Country music today refers to an array of categorical subgenres branching out of the mainstream. Tracing back into history, country music was profoundly present as folk renditions across various American socio-cultural and political communities. As a result of such vast and distinct influences, country music, over the years, has adopted significant traces of traditional English tunes, fiddle tunes, and cowboy songs.

The popularity of the genre expanded as more and more artists put in their virtues of musical expertise to give their interpretation an identity of its own. As a result, country music can also be termed as a fusion musical entity that has evolved through the years of individualistic and social changes.

Popularity

The course of country music’s significant rise as one of the most conspicuous genre definitions out there has come from years and generations of salient creative blends. As per historical categorization, we are currently in the sixth generation of country music resurgence that tentatively rolled into existence from 2000 onwards with some of the most prominent subgenres being bluegrass and pop-country. However though, where country music stands today is a gradual evolution as generations, society, cultural, and political influences moved as per their dynamic pace. Originated in the southern states of America, country music categorized its ideological and technical differences into subgenres like Appalachian music, rudimentary bluegrass, Cajun music, and Tejano music among others. James Gideon Tanner is considered the first among country recording artists. It has been an exponential rise for the genre as more and more artists with their individualistic styles and musical and creative demeanors help formulate the various outfits of boogie, rockabilly, country rock, country pop, hillbilly, honky-tonk, and more. In recent years, artists like Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain stand as the front face of the modernist genre of country. In popular culture, country music occupies a significant role in moving forward the generation towards bigger accomplishments and creative expressions. This only paves the path for more modulations, substitutions, and influences as a renewed wave of country music emerges from its predecessors. Along with coordinated global changes, country music also has its share of disparity in terms of indigenous impact. However, as a whole, country music continues to make bigger marks in the industry as one of the highest-grossing and accepted genre variations of all time.

Greatest Country Musicians of All Time:

Music and artist countdowns are subjective as musical tastes vary from person to person. However, after extensive reasoning and justified constructive criticism, our list of some of the greatest country musicians of all-time had reached its final draft.

Johnny Cash- As one of the most influential musicians of all time across all genres for that matter, the depth in his voice, rebellious edge in his lyrics, and the epitome of personality has all made us go weak in the knees time and again. A crossover artist showing strains of rock, folk, blues, and gospel with country music as the central foundation to his soundscape, his songs ‘Hurt’ or ‘Personal Jesus’ will remain timeless till the end of music’s meandering course.

Willie Nelson- Nothing and no one can come close to the biggest reformative figure in the country, Willie Nelson. His signature hippie looks and charming vocal insinuations have given us classics like ‘Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys’ or ‘Whiskey River’ continues to stir emotions, creative resonance, and individual connections.

Dolly Parton- Her iconic high octave hitting pitch gave us timeless tracks like ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’. Her aura is extremely significant in the scope of country music that has had her claim the spot effortlessly.

Garth Brooks- Controversial, yet vehemently significant, Garth Brooks’ role in formulating the current wave of country music can never be forgotten. With millions of album sales and songs that have taken us through courses of emotional inconsistencies, he continues to rule this particular section of musical interpretation.

Merle Haggard- Who can forget the resonance of Bakersfield sound that he practically brought into commercial existence?

New-age Country Musicians:

With the dynamic change in musical coordination, consolidation and expression, country music’s modern structure has many new and upcoming artists delivering their creative stake in the genre.

Abby Anderson- She made the headlines with the single ‘Make Him Wait’ and has shown great promise and potential as one of the best upcoming artists in the scope of country music. Her single ‘Flowers’ also prompted significant vocal and musical flairs as she bagged several gig collaborations with long-standing country artists.

Ingrid Andress- After having successfully shared accolades as a songwriter for artists like Alicia Keys, Charli XCX, Sam Hunt and other, she went to release her own single ‘More Hearts Than Mine’. With 2020 already opening scopes for creative pursuits, she has a lot more in store but this time as a singer herself.

Gabby Barrett- Gabby Barrett garnered extensive accolades after the release of ‘I Hope’. A gripping vocal strength and captivating aura, watch for her new releases this year.

Caylee Hammack- ‘Family Tree’ has taken her to enjoy the sweet return of global success as her single traveled far and wide garnering accolades from across the globe. Currently based out of Tennessee, she is already soaring high with the upcoming Roadside Bars & Pink Guitar tour alongside modern-day country music virtuoso Miranda Lambert.

Kaleb Lee- His journey on The Voice as a protégée of American Idol winner Carrie Underwood has taken him places across the collective music industry. His single ‘I Dream in Southern’ is doing great as he prepares to deliver a bigger project this year.

The contribution of country music in the spectrum of the collective music industry stands as one of the most prominent elements in shaping the extant latitudes of music and creative expression. Artists of all generations have equally promoted the genre to pave the path towards social and cultural evolution. As 2020 is upon us, the essence of country music will keep the audience tuned to its eccentricity and resonance.