This site provides only general information on genesis of country music and includes links to places, where people who are interested, can gain more information on the origin of the country music.
The roots of the country music can be traced to approximately 300 years ago, but fast development of this style of music started in twenties of XX century. Southern states of US (Virginia, Alabama, Carolina etc.) are considered to be birth place of this music style.
In the basis of the country music lie musical styles from different nations – it has roots in music of American native people, Celtic music, blues and gospels, because historically settlers to southern side of Appalachian Mountains took with them their musical traditions and instruments. Instruments included Irish violin, Italian mandolin, Spanish guitar and African banjo – those were the most popular instruments at that time. Cooperation of musicians from different ethnic groups created new, peculiar style of music.
In 19th century people from different ethnical groups from Central Europe and British Isles came to Texas, where they mixed with people with Spanish, Mexican origin and Native Americans. This mixture created new unique culture, that included traits from all ethnical groups.
The term “country music” is used from 1940-ies, when the previous term “hillbilly” was already considered disdainful. The term “country music” was used till 1970-ies, when the different sub-styles of country music were separated.
General data that characterizes country music:
Place of origin: South of US - Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Carolinas, Virginia
Songs: bar songs (honky- tonk), songs on relations and family, on love and failed love (ballads), and so-called “hill” or bluegrass music.
Instruments: guitars (electrical, acoustical, dobro), violin (acoustical, with amplification), mandolin, 5 string banjo, steelguitar, piano, also drums un synthesizer.
Style: accent on songs, less on instrumental music (except bluegrass), contemporary country uses drums, electrical guitars.
Has influence from: Scottish un Irish folk music, honky-tonk, bluegrass, contemporary "pop" rock and roll.
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