Country MusicCountry Music

Folk musicFolk musicEuropean and African rootsEuropean and African rootsAppalachian MountainsAppalachian MountainsString band musicString band music

1920s—first country records produced1920s—first country records produced 78s78s String bandsString bands Carter FamilyCarter Family Jimmie RodgersJimmie Rodgers

Popularity of radioPopularity of radio Early stationsEarly stations

WLS ChicagoWLS Chicago WSB AtlantaWSB Atlanta WSM NashvilleWSM Nashville

No format; much variety; irregular hoursNo format; much variety; irregular hours

Cumberland Ridge RunnersCumberland Ridge Runners

Carter FamilyCarter Family

Jimmie RodgersJimmie Rodgers

Grand Ole OpryGrand Ole Opry 19251925 WSM 650AMWSM 650AM Nashville, TNNashville, TN Radio barn danceRadio barn dance Old-time country musicOld-time country music Ryman Auditorium (1943-1974)Ryman Auditorium (1943-1974) World’s longest-running radio showWorld’s longest-running radio show

Golden Age (1930s-40s)Golden Age (1930s-40s) String bandsString bands Uncle Dave MaconUncle Dave Macon Singing cowboysSinging cowboys Bob Wills—western swingBob Wills—western swing Roy AcuffRoy Acuff

Honky Tonk (1940s-50s)Honky Tonk (1940s-50s) Post-WWII, modernizationPost-WWII, modernization Ernest TubbErnest Tubb Hank Williams, Sr.Hank Williams, Sr.

Western SwingWestern Swing Texas, OklahomaTexas, Oklahoma Dance hallsDance halls String band + jazz orchestraString band + jazz orchestra Bob Wills, Tex Williams, Spade CooleyBob Wills, Tex Williams, Spade Cooley

Bluegrass (c.1945)Bluegrass (c.1945) ““folk music in overdrive”folk music in overdrive” AcousticAcoustic Banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bassBanjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass Bill MonroeBill Monroe Lester FlattLester Flatt Earl ScruggsEarl Scruggs

Rock & Roll (c.1955)Rock & Roll (c.1955) New, fresh, rebelliousNew, fresh, rebellious Appealed to youth, young adultsAppealed to youth, young adults Country sales droppedCountry sales dropped

Nashville Sound (late 1950s-1960s)Nashville Sound (late 1950s-1960s) Slick productionSlick production Cookie-cutter soundCookie-cutter sound Orchestras and choirs replaced fiddles Orchestras and choirs replaced fiddles

and banjosand banjos Subtle, subdued, pop-flavoredSubtle, subdued, pop-flavored

Patsy Cline – “Crazy”Patsy Cline – “Crazy”

Bakersfield (1960s)Bakersfield (1960s) CaliforniaCalifornia Stripped-down honky tonkStripped-down honky tonk Buck Owens and Merle HaggardBuck Owens and Merle Haggard Return to a more country soundReturn to a more country sound

Hee Haw (1969)Hee Haw (1969) CBSCBS Opry-inspiredOpry-inspired

Buck Owens – “Love’s Gonna Live Here”Buck Owens – “Love’s Gonna Live Here”

Merle Haggard – “The Fightin’ Side of Me”Merle Haggard – “The Fightin’ Side of Me”

Tammy Wynette – “Stand By Your Man”Tammy Wynette – “Stand By Your Man”

Countrypolitan (late 1960s-70s)Countrypolitan (late 1960s-70s) Pop soundPop sound Aimed at mainstream pop radio (Top 40)Aimed at mainstream pop radio (Top 40) Newer version of Nashville SoundNewer version of Nashville Sound Charlie RichCharlie Rich Lynn AndersonLynn Anderson Glen CampbellGlen Campbell

Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman” Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman”

Country Rock (late 1960s)Country Rock (late 1960s) Rock musicians playing countryRock musicians playing country Gram ParsonsGram Parsons International Submarine BandInternational Submarine Band The ByrdsThe Byrds

Sweetheart of the RodeoSweetheart of the Rodeo (1968) (1968) Flying Burrito BrothersFlying Burrito Brothers The EaglesThe Eagles

Flying Burrito Brothers “Christine’s Tune” Flying Burrito Brothers “Christine’s Tune”

Outlaw Country (1970s)Outlaw Country (1970s) DIY attitudeDIY attitude Rebellious, irreverent, rowdyRebellious, irreverent, rowdy Austin, TXAustin, TX Willie NelsonWillie Nelson Waylon JenningsWaylon Jennings Hank Williams, Jr.Hank Williams, Jr. David Allan CoeDavid Allan Coe Wanted: OutlawsWanted: Outlaws (1976) (1976)

Flying Burrito Brothers “Christine’s Tune” Flying Burrito Brothers “Christine’s Tune”

Waylon Jennings – “Good Hearted Woman”Waylon Jennings – “Good Hearted Woman”

New Traditionalists (1980s)New Traditionalists (1980s) Return to a more country sound, lookReturn to a more country sound, look George StraitGeorge Strait The JuddsThe Judds Randy TravisRandy Travis Ricky SkaggsRicky Skaggs Keith WhitleyKeith Whitley Dwight YoakamDwight Yoakam

Garth Brooks & Reba Garth Brooks & Reba McEntireMcEntire

Rose to popularity in 1980sRose to popularity in 1980s Huge crossover appealHuge crossover appeal Gigantic stage shows w/pyrotechnics, Gigantic stage shows w/pyrotechnics,

costumes, choreography, etc.costumes, choreography, etc. Far-reaching media exposureFar-reaching media exposure Billions and billions of awards, gold Billions and billions of awards, gold

records, etc.records, etc.

Modern CountryModern Country

Fender TelecasterFender Telecaster

NudieNudie