Country music first began in the Southern United States in the 1920’s. Over the years the popularity of country music has steadily grown and so has the effect it has had on Top 40 music. You can see the evolution of country over the years, through its biggest stars.
Fiddlin John Carson was the first major act in country music. His first hit song was “The little Old Log Cabin in The Lane” which was released in 1923.
Hank Williams is regarded as one of the most significant influences in the development of country music ever. He was mentored by Rufus Payne, a blues musician. With Payne’s influence Williams was able to blend hillbilly, folk and blues music. Williams’ song “Lovesick Blues” was released in 1949 and topped the country charts.
When hillbilly rock became the most popular type of country music in the 1950’s artists like Johnny Cash rose to fame. Cash has become a legend in country music. His distinctive voice and musical sound set him apart from other performers. One of his greatest songs and Cash’s first #1 hit was “I Walk the Line”. The song was released in 1956.
Outlaw Country, a popular subcategory of country music in the 1960’s and 70’s was characterized by artists like the great Willie Nelson. Check out this clip of Nelson performing at the Grand Ole’ Opry in 1965.
The 1970’s saw country pop emerge and country started to become more and more frequent on the Top 40 Charts. Artists like Dolly Parton were a part of bringing country more and more into the mainstream. Parton’s first major hit on the Top 40 Charts was “Here You Come Again”. The song was released in 1977.
In the 1990’s country super star Garth Brooks broke records in album sales and concert attendance. In 1991 he released one of his many hit singles “The Thunder Rolls”.
Shania Twain continued the trend of record selling country artists. The Canadian singer’s album Come On Over is the top selling album of all time from a female act. One of Twain’s most popular songs and a wedding classic is “From This Moment”.
Carrie Underwood won the reality TV show American Idol on the show’s 4th season. She was the first country music artist to win the competition and went on to achieve great commercial success. Her song “Before He Cheats” was the first country music song to be certified as multi-platinum.
Before Taylor Swift was a huge pop star she was a teenager with a dream of being a country singer. She moved to Nashville at 14 to pursue that dream and at 16 she released her first single “Tim McGraw”.
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About Nadine Segal
I am a writer and editor from New York with a passion for music. I write predominately about music, musical artists and the issues they face.