country

Country music originated in the southern United States in the 1920s, drawing on Appalachian folk music, blues, gospel, and Celtic fiddle traditions.‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌ The genre is characterised by storytelling lyrics, acoustic and steel guitars, fiddle, banjo, and close vocal harmonies. Country has evolved through many subgenres: honky-tonk, the Nashville sound, outlaw country, country rock, and modern pop-country. The Grand Ole Opry, broadcasting from Nashville since 1925, helped establish country as a major commercial genre. Pedal steel guitar and slide guitar give country its distinctive twang. Country songs often address themes of love, loss, working life, and rural identity. Artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson have made country one of the most enduring popular music traditions in America.