Country music can be traced all the way back to 1920s although there are numerous of contemporary country artists known throughout the world today (Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, etc.). Being one of the most popular genres of music today in America, and famous even outside the country (Australia, England, Canada).

The sub-genre of country music “honky tonk” emerged around the 1930s and 1940s; usually can be recognized with heavy usage of guitar, steel guitar, drums, and bass. Back then, Al Dexter was considered to be one of the best American country musician and song write, and he is also the one who came up with the name honky tonk. Dexter’s first hit, being the “Honky Tonk Blues”, then “Pistol Packin’ Mama” may be recognized as the marching chorus that was used for the New York Yankees back in 1943). Ernest Tubb, who has the nickname the “Texas Troubadour”, was also well-known and popularized the honky tonk; many consider the rise of honky tonk is due to his biggest hit, “Walking the Floor Over You”.

Western music was another popular sub-genre during this time and were about the ups and downs about the life of the everyday cowboy and what he faced. The Sons of Pioneers and Gene Autry popularized the style greatly, and can be recognized with the use of harmonica and variety of string instruments.

As the decades passed and more and more country music has been produced, there are all sorts of sub-genres such as rockabilly, alternative country, and country soul, pop-country, and so much more that have been created. Country music today sounds nothing, or very little, as it used to. The idea behind the song has broadened to subjects such as falling in love, cheating, breakups, and such. Just by listening to and studying the brief history of country music, one can truly appreciate the genre and understand how it has inspired numerous of other great musical artists to produce the music that they do, and why it it is enjoyed, loved, and cherished.

Whether it is the contemporary country music or the old country music you love, everything had to start from something. Country music all spurted from the idea of what the everyday man goes through (from hardships even to successes). However one looks at it, we would not have the music we do today if it were not for the old country music.