Country Music Is No Mere Genre
Country Music originated in early 20th century among the whites
in Rural areas of West and South. The roots of this music lie in
Ballads, English songs and Folk Songs. The term Country Music
replaces what is popularly called Hill Billy Music.
Country Music has been associated with cowboy hats and boots.
The fact is that apparel has got nothing to do with it. One of
the veterans, Travis Tritt does not wear a hat. Country Music is
a genre that means different things to different people. If you
look over at their interpretations, you will find for some it is
Johnny Cash's weather beaten crooning or Shania Twain's
prancing-pony burlesque. Right since the beginning of the 21st
century, Music Industry is divided and quite fractured as to
what really the Country Music is. Most people say that, when
they hear it, they know its country or its not.
The relationship is one if hate and love, either fans love it
and hate other genres intensely. If you have met some hardcore
country fans, you will notice, they will always find a way to
hear it, no matter what state country radio currently finds
itself in. Even if an artist's presence on country radio
represents a certain kind of success or acceptance, there's no
doubt that "real" country is always happening in the margins, in
clubs and coffeehouses, and on smaller labels or self-produced
records.
Recently very good different country records have been released
by women artists like, the Dixie Chicks' "Home," debuted at No.
1 on the Billboard chart, knocking Eminem down a bit. The other
two, Kelly Willis' "Easy" and Allison Moorer's "Miss Fortune,"
are also hailed as good country music. These two artists are not
quite famous but they have a solid fan following. American
Country Music is being popularized by various artists like
Rhonda Vincent, Mandy Barnett, Brad Paisley, Hank Williams III
and Danni Leigh.
Country Music has an association also, the Country Music
Association (CMA), founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It
originally consisted of only 233 members. This was the first
trade organization formed to promote a music genre. The
objectives of the organization are to guide and enhance the
development of Country Music throughout the world. They wish to
show that it is a viable medium to advertisers, consumers and
media. It provides a unity of purpose for the Country Music
industry.
The association presents annual wards also. Annual awards are
given in the following twelve categories: Entertainer, Male
Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Horizon Award, Vocal Group, Vocal
Duo, Single, Album, Song, Music Event, Music Video, and
Musician.
Country Music is getting lot more world wide attention after the
Country Music Annual Awards was shifted to New York.
An academy for this genre, the Academy of Country Music (ACM)
was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California. It was
originally called the Country & Western Music Academy; and was
formed by people who wanted to share their love of Country music.
Country Music had a set following earlier but now it is gaining
number of fans day by day. Loud tuned ,good lyrics, special
effects mark the various concerts held in America by various
country artists.