The History of Country Music

The First Country Records

Jun 14, 1923

Ralph Peer of Okeh records the first music of Fiddlin' John Carson in Atlanta. The record becomes a regional hit and convinces peer that hillbilly music is in fact in the market.

Hillbilly becomes a term

Aug 18, 1925

The term hillbilly is first used in commercial country music. In 1924, the Vocalion company issue hillbilly records.

Barndance Launches

Nov 28, 1925

The show that will become the Grand Ole Opry radio barndance program begins on the WSM radio outside of Nashville. It will grow to be the most popular program of it's time and will launch the careers of country music's biggest stars.

The Opry begins it's official run

Dec 17, 1927

WSM's Saturday night narn dance program officially becomes the grand ole opry

Rose-Acuff publishing company forms in Nashville

Oct 17, 1942

Fred Rose and the singer Roy Acuff form the Nashville based Country music publishing company to permanetely re-center the country music business in Nashville

Johnny Cash Makes an Appearance

Oct 17, 1954

Cash does his first recording sessions at Sun siinging "Wide Open Road," starting a tremendous career in country music

Country Music Hall of Fame is established

Oct 17, 1961

The first three inductees are: Jimmie Rodgers, Frank Rose, and Hank Williams

Dolly Parton Debuts

Oct 17, 1966

Dolly releases her first records "Habby Birthday, Baby" and "Dumb Blonde."

Outlaw Country

Jul 4, 1974

Willie Nelson becomes an outlaw country icon and is the birth place for other singers to follow in his footsteps

Garth Brooks makes his mark

Oct 17, 1989

Garth Brooks came out with a bang. As soon as his first single was released, he started to climb the charts. He is now a country music legend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuO3FhA3PWc

Class of '89

Oct 17, 1989

Country artists such as Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Trivis Tritt and Dwight Yokam all score number one hits in the year 1989. They all changed country for the better by bringing in youthful voices.

Alternative Country

Oct 17, 2000

A newer style of artists came about in the early 2000s. Some of them included Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, and Blake Shelton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrGpsgUfSmU

Country Today

Oct 17, 2015

Country is still one of the most played genres. With artists such as Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, and Kenny Chesney, everyone can relate to one or more of their songs. Country can mix with Pop and Rock, but there is nothing like traditional country music