Country or country is a genre of American folk music that originated in the rural areas of the southern United States in the 1920s. It has its roots in the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland and England. The country often consists of ballads and dance pieces with generally simple forms and harmonies, in rhythm 2/4 or 4/4, which are mostly accompanied by stringed instruments such as banjo, acoustic or electric guitar, violin and accordion .
The term “country” gained popularity in the 1940s during which time the term was preferred to the previous “hillbilly” sometimes used derogatory. Today, the term country describes many different styles. In 2009 country music was the most popular type of rush hour music and the second most popular rush hour music in the United States.
One of the country’s most important representatives is Jimmie Rodgers, who was one of the pioneers of the genre, Patsy Montana, the first female country musician to sell 1 million records, Johnny Cass , one of the most important and popular country singers of all time, and Dottie West one of the most pioneering and controversial female songwriters of the genre.Also a living legend of this music is Willie Nelson (born 1933), who continues to be active even at the age of 84. Another important representative was Hank Williams Sr. (1923–1953), who, although he died at the age of 29, managed to leave an important legacy for the next artists of the genre. Charley Pride.
