The Four Most Popular Types of Country Music

張貼日期：Jun 06, 2012 8:35:16 AM

R.J. Kung

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and southeastern American folk music. It is also my favorite kind of music. And it can be classified into many subgenres. There are four most popular country music subgenres. One is country pop, another is country rock, still another is Texas country music, and the other is Christian country music.

At first, country pop music originated from Nashville, Tennessee in the 1960s. Typical instruments for country pop music are guitar, bass, and drums. Certainly, country pop is prevailing all over the United States and there are lots of notable singers who are this kind of vocalists such as famous young singer Taylor Swift who won six Grammy Awards, Carrie Underwood who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of “American Idol” and also won five Grammy Awards. The brilliant music group called Lady Antebellum formed in Nashville is also a well-known band on country pop music which won seven Grammy Awards. All of them experienced huge success.

Second, country rock music originated from Southern and Western United States in the late 1960s. Typical instruments are guitar (acoustic, electric and pedal steel), piano, drums, and bass. Country rock usually has country themes, vocal styles and additional instrumentation, with the characteristic pedal steel guitar. The most representative artist is Eagles who sang a universally praised song “Hotel California.”

Third, Texas country music originated from Texas in the late 1960s. Typical instruments are acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar, bass, percussion, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, piano, and harmonica. Texas country is known for fusing traditionalist root sounds with the outspoken, care-free views of outlaw country. The following artists are well-known: Willie Nelson won ten Grammy Awards, and a popular star Miranda Lambert won one Grammy Award.

Last but not least, Christian country music originated from the middle of the 20th century by secular country music artists and Southern Gospel acts. Typical instruments are acoustic guitars, piano, and drums. Christian country music is written to express either personal or communal beliefs regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. Popular country gospel artists are David L. Cook, Gayla Earlene, and Lulu Roman.

So which kind of country music do you like? For me, I am a huge fan of country pop music, especially the music by singer Carrie Underwood. And I almost burst into tears every time when I heard her records. I just can’t live without country music because I am extremely addicted to this kind of music.