Country Music Saddles Up for the Long Haul
Easily one of the most popular music genres in the last fifteen years, the country music scene features inspiring tracks from some of today's best selling artists. With musical roots that range from southern folk music to Celtic sounds, blues, gospel, and old-time classics, the Country and Western music genre is an enormous market in today's music industry.
The World of Country Music Today
Country music has come a long way from slack jawed yokels and a banjo - some of the music world's biggest names are producing chart topping country albums. From Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood's inspiring vocals and Kenny Chesney's guitar riffs, to political and controversial hits like The Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice," the music of the Deep South is exceedingly popular across North America. Gone are the earliest twangs of the genre, making way for a mainstream approach to Country Western music.
The Chart Toppin' Ditty's
In the past ten years, Country Western music has really found its stride with great artists and albums like Jason Aldean's "Relentless", and Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts". Donning a modern spin on the classic cowboy getup with their button up shirts, blue jeans, and dusty cowboy hats, the boys of the Rascal Flatts have enjoyed several weeks at the top of the charts with their album "Me and My Gang." Award winning Country music recording artist Tim McGraw is no stranger to the billboards either. His 2002 release debuted at number one on the Billboard's top 200 - showing the world that Country Music was here to stay.
Put on Your Dress Jeans and Cowboy Hat and Let's Hit the Show
As the Country music genre itself expands and reinvents itself, so too does its award shows. From the CMT (Country music television) Awards to the Grammy's, Country Western artists making an effort to promote and redefine the genre are saddling up for recognition. At the 2006 Country Music Awards, pioneers Brooks and Dunn swept Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the year for their hit track "Believe," while newcomer Carrie Underwood took home female video of the year for her hit track "Before He Cheats".
Top Selling Artists and Chart Leaders
If you're a newcomer to the Country Western world of music, you'll find great songs from the genres top artists like Alan Jackson, Big and Rich, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Gretchen Wilson, and the Dixie Chicks. Perhaps one of the most significant events for the Country music genre, was Carrie Underwood's American Idol win. Fans adored her southern style, and it was no time before her record was hitting the airwaves and ripping up the charts.
Album Sales
The Country music genre is an industry giant with an ever growing fan base. Garth Brooks, veteran country artist, has sold over 100 million copies of his albums. Shania Twain is no stranger to success, selling 50 million copies of her music to fans across the country. And this past year, the genre welcomed Carrie Underwood, shortly after her journey to number one on American Idol. The newcomer's album was the third highest selling album in the entire industry. North America has accepted Country into its mainstream music heart.
In the past ten years, The Country music genre has proven itself as one the best selling forms of popular music across North America. With talented artists producing Country Western hits that constantly challenge and reinvent the genre, the popular musical style is going no where but up.
