It’s time for you to drown yourself into country music’s history. Join us to learn how this music genre was created, by exposing its exponents in different phases of the past. As we say, music has many languages to express.

Early 20’s

Country music started as a folk tale, as they were very personal songs about the history of each town. Over time, musicians developed the music under that tune and began to pop-up, giving as a result, the groundwork for popular country music as it is known today.

Singing Cowboys of the ’30s

Western was the most popular genre of cinema. Particularly on the Autry and Peers show, actor Roy Rogers was known for his melodious voice of cowboy. His singing became romanticized in Hollywood’s history because people started to relate country music as ballads that told stories of heroic cowboys.

Honky Tonk and Rock’n’Roll

When rock’n’roll started to rise, country music began to be inspired by rock’s energy and riffs. Honky Tonk was the result, a country music genre rougher and rawer than old ballads. Honky Tonk couldn’t compete with rock’n’roll, but the works of artists such as Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, and Kitty Wells are still thought of fondly to this day.

The Nashville Sound of the ’50s

Although country music faced difficulties in the past, new musicians began reinventing themselves. The company Columbia Records transformed the genre making it smoother. Some exponents were Chet Atkins and Patsy Cline who created a unique sound straight from Nashville.

The Bakersfield Sound

Many musicians started to dislike the Nashville sound, saying it was too mainstream. The Bakersfield Sound movement wanted to bring more humanity and passion back into music. The principal exponent of the ’60s was Bakersfield’s Buck Owens with his single “The Streets of Bakersfield”

The ’70s Outlaw Country Style

There was an evolution of the previous style here, only in this case, the lyrical concepts inverted old school cowboy ballads. The story tales came back in the lyrics, but instead of being the friendly cowboy with the white hat of the ’20s, they were rather stark anti-heroes. The most famous performer was “the man in black,” Johnny Cash.

Country is very important in the history of music in general, like rock n roll. It’s very interesting how this genre had such amazing songwriters around it. Did you know any of the performers?

Share these ideas with your friends alongside a cold beer, while you listen to the late Johnny Cash.