Country history UK

by ad roberts

We must admit that music plays a very important part of our life. Its sets the tone for a lot of things we do. Its either gets us in the "right" mood and makes us happy or gives us time to reflect.
It is said that music is the one universal language that bonds us all. So then there is country music, basic, true to emotions and in general performed in quality.
This white blues music was once described by Kris Kristofferson as " if it sounds like country, it is country". This is difficult for nowadays country music is so versatile, so '90's, that a crossover is the first thing that stands out.

History in brief

There is not enough room on these pages to describe the country history story in full, so I'll do it somewhat in brief. Country has its roots in the old English, Scottish and Irish folk songs that the early settlers brought with them. Past on in generations to the "now" generation.
Church music, like hymns and other 'holy' music takes part in this history and can still be found in what we now call gospel- or religious country music. >>

Tim McGraw is rightfully so, quite popular in Country Music Land, all over the world.

When rock'n roll came up, after the second world war, people thought country music was dead, but artists like Hank Williams and Johnny Horton kept playing their 'honky-tonk music'. In the '50 's Chet Atkins and Bradley produced a couple of country cross-over to R&R songs, amongst the more traditional songs, that where played on Rock 'n Roll stations and thus introducing this type of music to a much broader audience..

The 60's and 70's

All right, country was still there, mostly in "the states" but it only produced a some worldwide hits. The movie Urban Cowboy in 1980, rekindled the interest from the general audience for this kind'f music. Country music was growing to be a real big industry, but the big bang came in the '90 's.

Artists like; Randy Travis (Randy Bruce Traywick), George (Harvey) Strait, Billy Ray Cyrus, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt (left), Alan Jackson and the icon Garth Brooks (right) made sure Country Music was once again one of the most popular music genres in the U.S. and now even here in Europe.

Shania Twain

Trace Adkins

This is also music as a reflection of the life of the common man. First the banjo, a traditional African instrument, was popular wile playing country music. After the guitar was brought from England, the mandolin and steel guitar were introduced. Hey, lets not forget the role of the fiddle, that typical way of playing a violin, especially around the 1900 's. Country music round the 1920's was called Hillbilly music, because of the hillbilly's playing it. On 25 November 1925 the first radio station playing this country music in the very early days of radio, was a station in Nashville TN. W.S.M.,in a special program "The Grand Ole Opry" (the longest running live radio show of its kind). <<

Daryl Dodd a good example of another 'up- and cumin' artist and we're quite sure he going to make it big in Country Music Land.
Since I wrote this line in 1997, Daryl had been named Most promising act in 1999.

Billy Ray Cyrus

Down here, is the Icon of "New Country Music" Garth Brooks. He gave the word show in country music, a new meaning.

There are many internet pages dedicated to Shania & Garth. Now on this website there are some specials of Alan Jackson and James Bonamy, because I think they're worth it. enjoy!!
The picture below the complete crew from Shania Twain during her '99 tour! This Canadian Lady is one of the firsts to become a mayor international star, in the latter half of the '90's. Her concerts in the rest of the world where all sold out! Shania to me is....energy and pure country-rock pleasure.

UPDATE 10-11-2005