The genre of Country music originates from the southern states of America where in the 1920's, mostly white working class Americans created the genre by generating it from other music genres such as blue, western and folk music. Country music often associates itself with ballads or dance music using mostly string instruments such as banjos or guitars and can sometimes be accompanied by harmonicas. Country then gained popularity in the 1940's where it was referred to as 'hillbilly music'.
Later on in the 1930/40's, record sales of country music dropped due to the great depression. However, due to the radio being a main form of entertainment, radio stations began to set up 'barn dance' shows where country music would be played. The most important one was the Grand Ole Opry which is 8still as popular today as it was when it began all those years prior. Many different acts have performed there including Jenny Lou Carson who from 1945-1955 was the most popular country singer in the States. More recently they have had artists such as the Alabama Shakes and two time Grammy Award Nominated artist Mindi Abair.
Progressing through to the 1950's many Country artists were using blends of western swing, country boogie and honky tonk to create their unique sound. Rockabilly, a sub-genre of Country music, became very popular in the 1950's with Country music fans, with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash taking 2nd and 3rd place on the charts in 1956. Elvis Presley, although having been referred to as a Rock and roll artist, said himself 'I'm only playing hopped-up country music.'
Later on the in 1960/70's is where Country music became recognised globally with artists like Dolly Parton become a household name even still to this day. Her song 'Here you come again' topped the charts in 1977 and many, many more successful records followed.
By the 1980's, Country artists continued to soar through the charts with people like Willie Nelson topping them two years in a row. Four country singers then went on to top the Billboard charts in the 1980's bringing more and more popularity to the genre.
Through the years, Country music has grown in popularity massively. Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Shania Twain are just a few stars to mention that are regular names to hear when talking about country music. However, now in 2016, Country music can say it was responsible for creating fame for a certain solo female artist.
Taylor Swift at the age of 14 moved to Nashville, Tennessee in order to live out her dream of being a Country singer. This meant she then became the youngest artist ever signed by the Sony/ATV Music publishing house. Taylor then went on to write a self-entitled album which contained the song 'Our Song' which she wrote in her junior year. The music video to the song won both nominations for "Video of the Year" and "Female Video of the Year" at the 2008 CMT Music Awards. In the United States, 'Our Song' became Swift's first number one single on the Hot Country Songs Chart, maintaining the position for six consecutive weeks, and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Taylor has received many awards and honours, including 10 Grammy Awards, 19 American Music Awards, 23 Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, 8 Academy of Country Music Awards, 1 Brit Award and 1 Emmy. As a songwriter, she has been honoured by the Nashville Songwriters Association and the Songwriter Hall of Frame. By the beginning of 2016, Swift had sold more than 40 million albums, 130 million single downloads and was one of the top five music artists with the highest worldwide digital sales. Each of Swift's studio albums had sold at least four million units in the U.S.: Taylor Swift (5.5 million), Fearless (7.0 million), Speak Now (4.5 million), Red (4.1 million) and 1989 (5.7 million).
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