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