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'''Country music''' (sometimes called '''Country & Western''') is a form of [[music]] that has been enjoyed by people all over the [[United States]] for decades. Famous singers from this genre include [[Johnny Cash]], [[Patsy Cline]], The Judds, [[Alan Jackson]], [[Rascal Flatts]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Glen Campbell]], [[Wynonna Judd]], [[George Jones]], [[Tammy Wynette]], [[George Strait]], [[Kenny Rogers]], [[Loretta Lynn]], [[Randy Travis]], [[Tanya Tucker]], [[Willie Nelson]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[Garth Brooks]], [[Toby Keith]] and Hank 3.

'''Country music''' (sometimes called '''Country & Western''') is a form of [[music]] that has been enjoyed by people all over the [[United States]] for decades. Famous singers from this genre include [[Johnny Cash]], [[Patsy Cline]], The Judds, [[Alan Jackson]], [[Rascal Flatts]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Glen Campbell]], [[Wynonna Judd]], [[George Jones]], [[Tammy Wynette]], [[George Strait]], [[Kenny Rogers]], [[Loretta Lynn]], [[Randy Travis]], [[Tanya Tucker]], [[Willie Nelson]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[Garth Brooks]], [[Toby Keith]] and Hank Williams

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.

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]].

Modern-day Country music started in the years after [[World War II]]. The [[Sons of the Pioneers]] and [[Carter Family|The Carter Family]] performed old and new songs, in a way that reminded people of [[singalong|singalongs]] and [[jamboree|jamborees]] of the past. [[Hank Williams]] is often called the first [[songwriter]] of country music. His songs were easy to learn and remember, and their [[lyrics]] said things felt by many people. His music is still performed today. Some of the early [[rock and roll]] musicians, like [[Buddy Holly]], [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], and [[Elvis Presley]], began their career as country performers.

Modern-day Country music started in the years after [[World War II]]. Sons of the Pioneers and The Carter Family performed old and new songs, in a way that reminded people of [[singalong|singalongs]] and [[jamboree|jamborees]] of the past. [[Hank Williams]] is often called the first [[songwriter]] of country music. His songs were easy to learn and remember, and their [[lyrics]] said things felt by many people. His music is still performed today. Some of the early [[rock and roll]] musicians, like [[Buddy Holly]], [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], and [[Elvis Presley]], began their career as country performers.

[[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 Music Media ==

== Country Music Media ==

<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

File:Vernon Dalhart 01.jpg|[[Vernon Dalhart]] was the first country star to have a major hit record

File:Carter Family 1927.jpg|The Carter Family are a dynasty of country music and began with (left to right) [[A.P. Carter]], wife [[Sara Carter]] and [[Maybelle Carter]].

File:Carter Family 1927.jpg|The Carter Family are a dynasty of country music and began with (left to right) [[A.P. Carter]], wife [[Sara Carter]] and [[Maybelle Carter]]

File:National Barn Dance 1940.JPG|An image from [[National Barn Dance]] in 1940

File:Roy Acuff 1950.JPG|Publicity photo of musician Roy Acuff.

File:Bob Willis, T. Texas Tyler, Spade Cooley, Merle Travis, Hank Thompson and Cindy Walker's Stuff.jpg|Instruments from [[Bob Wills|Bob Willis]] and other country musicians at the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum]], 2018

File:Roy Rogers and Gail Davis 1948.jpg|Publicity photo of [[Roy Rogers]] and [[Gail Davis]], 1948

File:Hank Williams MGM Records - cropped.jpg|Publicity portrait of Hank Williams for MGM records

File:MonroeBrothers.jpg|Bill and Charlie Monroe (1936). Bill Monroe (1911–1996) and the Blue Grass Boys created the bluegrass by the end of World War II.

File:Merle Haggard 1975 - cropped.jpg|[[Merle Haggard]] in a 1975 publicity photo for Capitol Records

File:Hank Williams MGM Records - cropped.jpg|Publicity portrait of Hank Williams for MGM records

File:Dolly Parton, 2011.jpg|Dolly Parton Press Conference 2011.

File:Loretta_Lynn_LCCN2021643178_(cropped).jpg|Portrait of Loretta Lynn

File:George Strait 2014 1.jpg|George Strait performing live at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, March 1, 2014

File:Elvis Presley in 1958.jpg|Elvis Presley in 1958.

File:ShaniaTwain3.jpg|[[Shania Twain]] performing during her [[Up! Tour]] in 2004

File:Johnny Cash Promotional Photo.jpg|Johnny Cash Promotional Photo for Sun Records, taken in 1955

File:Luke_Bryan_in_2008.JPG|:Luke_Bryan_in_

File:Patsy_Cline_1960_publicity_portrait_-_cropped.jpg|Patsy Cline on a publicity portrait for Decca Recods

File:Olivia Newton-John Sydney 2008.jpg|[[Olivia Newton-John]] singing in [[Sydney]] in 2008

</gallery>

</gallery>

== Other websites ==

== Other websites ==