1. The Historical Development of Country Music
By Abi Davis-Fletcher

2. Country Music
• An American music style which originated in
the ’20s
• Takes its roots from Western cowboys and
American folk music
• Ballads and dance tracks, with simple forms
and harmonies, supported by instruments
such as the banjo, fiddle and mandarin;
harmonicas are often used to, though it
focuses on stringed instruments

3. The First Country Music Video
• First video is unknown.
• Sam Luvollo, producer of Hee Haw, says his show
showed the first music videos; JMI Records say the
same about Don Williams’ 1973 song, ‘The Shelter of
Your Eyes’.
• In recent years, a ‘film’, created in 1969, has been
uploaded to YouTube of Glen Campbell’s ‘Galvestone’.
• HeeHaw showed images of farmers working in the
fields of Tennessee, and the audience felt this took
attention away from the live performances of songs
and artists.

4. Country Pop
• First emerged in the 1970s as ‘soft pop’
• Originally referred to country songs that had
crossed over into the top 40 radio; now, most
country-pop artists are more likely to cross
over to adult contemporary music
• This started with pop music singers, such as
John Denver and Olivia Newton-John
• They became country music artists by having
hits in the country charts

5. Country versus Pop
• The ‘80s brought about artists such as Dolly
Parton and Willie Nelson. Dolly released six
music videos in the decade, between 1984
and 1989.
• Country pop was becoming increasingly more
popular but was still not as successful as pop.
Diana Ross and Lionel Richie beat Dolly Parton
and Willie Nelson to the top of the charts with
Endless Love over Islands In The Stream.

6. Country in the 1990s
• Country gradually became more popular in
this decade.
• Artists such as LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain
reached international success, releasing
platinum selling albums.
• The Dixie Chicks were possibly the most
popular country band; their debut album was
certified 12x platinum.

7. The Modern Country
• The 2000s brought about a new era for music with the rise of
teen stars.
• Modern sitcoms seemed to bring about many artists such as
iCarly’s Jeanette McCurdy, Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus
and One Tree Hill’s Jana Kramer.
• Carrie Underwood rose from the world of reality shows,
winning American Idol as a country singer.
• Taylor Swift hit the charts in 2006 and remains the only
country artist to have achieved two Number One’s in the Top
40.
• As country gained popularity, more artists adapted it into
their music, even rock band Bon Jovi. They collaborated with
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles on Who Said You Can’t Go Home?

8. Now
• Country has reached international popularity
now, thanks to internationally-successful
artists such as Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Bon
Jovi and, now, Carrie Underwood.
• As technology develops, more people can
experience country music anywhere, helping
the genre obtain a larger, stronger fan base.