Changes

Country music's strongest [[:appeal|appeal]] is with American rural and small-town populations, but many American cities have a large audience. The music also has listeners in [[Canada]], in [[England]], and worldwide. The popularity of Country comes and goes with each decade. Sometimes a new movie (like ''[[Midnight Cowboy]]'' or ''[[Urban Cowboy]]''), hit record (like "She Believes In Me" by Kenny Rogers), or new performer (like Randy Travis in the 1980s) raises new interest.

Country music's strongest [[:appeal|appeal]] is with American rural and small-town populations, but many American cities have a large audience. The music also has listeners in [[Canada]], in [[England]], and worldwide. The popularity of Country comes and goes with each decade. Sometimes a new movie (like ''[[Midnight Cowboy]]'' or ''[[Urban Cowboy]]''), hit record (like "She Believes In Me" by Kenny Rogers), or new performer (like Randy Travis in the 1980s) raises new interest.

== History ==

== History ==

Country music has its roots and beginnings in [[folk music]]. The old [[cowboy]] and [[pioneer|pioneer]] songs of the American frontier were popular in the early [[20th century|twentieth century]], and so were [[arrangement|arrangements]] of [[pop music]] songs by [[rural]] (or rural-sounding) performers. Country musicians also adapted new musical instruments, like the [[Hawaii]]an [[steel guitar|steel guitar]].

Country music has its roots and beginnings in [[folk music]]. The old [[cowboy]] and [[pioneer|pioneer]] songs of the American frontier were popular in the early [[20th century|twentieth century]], and so were [[arrangement|arrangements]] of [[pop music]] songs by [[rural]] (or rural-sounding) performers. Country musicians also adapted new musical instruments, like the [[Hawaii]]an [[steel guitar|steel guitar]].

[[Nashville, Tennessee]] became the center of Country music, much like [[New Orleans]] became the center of [[Jazz]]. The [[Grand Ole Opry]] broadcast performances by The Carter Family and others, and became an important [[breaking ground|breaking ground]] in Country music. A television series, ''Hee-Haw'', was a long-running [[showcase|showcase]] for Country performers, and was [[television host|hosted]] by musicians [[Buck Owens]] and [[Roy Clark]]. When [[cable television]] became popular in the [[United States]], The Nashville Network (TNN) and Country Music Television (CMT) brought Country [[music video]]s and related programming to nationwide audiences. (In later years, as interests changed, TNN changed its programming. It also changed names, first to "The National Network", then to [[Spike (TV network)|Spike TV]], which is its name today.) Country music began in the Southern United States at 1920. And Bob Wills had developed the [[Western Swing]].

[[Nashville, Tennessee]] became the center of Country music, much like [[New Orleans]] became the center of [[Jazz]]. The [[Grand Ole Opry]] broadcast performances by The Carter Family and others, and became an important [[breaking ground|breaking ground]] in Country music. A television series, ''Hee-Haw'', was a long-running [[showcase|showcase]] for Country performers, and was [[television host|hosted]] by musicians [[Buck Owens]] and [[Roy Clark]]. When [[cable television]] became popular in the [[United States]], The Nashville Network (TNN) and Country Music Television (CMT) brought Country [[music video]]s and related programming to nationwide audiences. (In later years, as interests changed, TNN changed its programming. It also changed names, first to "The National Network", then to [[Spike (TV network)|Spike TV]], which is its name today.) Country music began in the Southern United States at 1920. And Bob Wills had developed the [[Western Swing]].

== Country comedy ==

== Country comedy ==

Country-styled [[comedy]] is also popular, with writers and performers like [[Jeff Foxworthy]], [[Bill Engvall]], [[Larry the Cable Guy]], and others. Many comedians have appeared with Country acts, including [[Andy Griffith]], [[Ray Stevens]], and [[George Lindsey]]. Lindsey, [[Lulu Roman]] and [[Junior Samples]] were [[cast member|cast members]] of ''Hee-Haw'', and so were [[Grandpa Jones]] and [[Minnie Pearl]]. [[Homer and Jethro]] and [[Pinkard & Bowden]] were [[duo]]s of musicians who made [[parody|parodies]] of Country and pop songs.

Country-styled [[comedy]] is also popular, with writers and performers like [[Jeff Foxworthy]], [[Bill Engvall]], [[Larry the Cable Guy]], and others. Many comedians have appeared with Country acts, including [[Andy Griffith]], [[Ray Stevens]], and [[George Lindsey]]. Lindsey, [[Lulu Roman]] and [[Junior Samples]] were [[cast member|cast members]] of ''Hee-Haw'', and so were [[Grandpa Jones]] and [[Minnie Pearl]]. [[Homer and Jethro]] and [[Pinkard & Bowden]] were [[duo]]s of musicians who made [[parody|parodies]] of Country and pop songs.

''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]'', a [[CBS]] television series, included music by [[Flatt and Scruggs]]. Members of the cast appeared in character at Country concerts, and on other television shows, to entertain audiences.

''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]'', a [[CBS]] television series, included music by [[Flatt and Scruggs]]. Members of the cast appeared in character at Country concerts, and on other television shows, to entertain audiences.

==Other websites==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Other websites ==

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* [http://www.roughstock.com/ Roughstock] - country music resource; also has a [http://www.roughstock.com/history/ history of the genre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228214843/http://www.roughstock.com/history |date=2009-02-28 }}

* [http://www.roughstock.com/ Roughstock] - country music resource; also has a [http://www.roughstock.com/history/ history of the genre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228214843/http://www.roughstock.com/history |date=2009-02-28 }}