Country MusicCountry music—with its candid lyrics about everyday fears, frustrations, desires, and dilemmas—has arguably become the most popular style of music in the world: In 1998 superstar Garth Brooks was the biggest-selling solo performer in the history of music, second only in artist status to the Beatles. Country Music chronicles the rich history of the genre, from its early days in the 1920s to the multimillion-dollar industry of the present. Covering the music by decade from its birth in 1922 (when it first became a commercial category) to 1950, and by year from 1950 to 1997, this book includes facts about hundreds of country legends, as well as crossover artists like Elvis Presley, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, and K.D. Lang. It also features: essays on the significant developments of each year; the most important records; debut artists; lists of honors (Grammys, Gold and Platinum sales, Country Music Association Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards); milestones of noteworthy events; sidebars with artist biographies and interesting anecdotes; and over 200 rare photos, album covers, and sheet music. Now updated through 1997, this comprehensive reference presents invaluable information about a truly American phenomenon. |
Contents
The Roots of Commerical Country Music | 1 |
PRICE | 7 |
The Birth of Commercial Country Music | 9 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
ACADEMY OF COUNTRY Alabama Alan Jackson Arista Barn Dance BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BEST COUNTRY VOCAL Blue bluegrass Bob Millard Collection Bobby born Buck Owens Capitol career Chapel Hill Chet Atkins Columbia country artists COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE Cowboy Debut Artist Decca Dolly Parton Elvis Presley Epic Ernest Tubb FEMALE fiddle G/A Elvis Presley Garth Brooks Gene Autry George Jones George Strait Glen Campbell GRAMMYS BEST COUNTRY Grand Ole Opry Greatest Hits Hank Williams Jr Heart hillbilly Important Records INSTRUMENTALISTS Jim Reeves Jimmie Rodgers Johnny Cash Judds Kenny Rogers Loretta Lynn Love MALE Mercury Merle Haggard Milestones movie Nashville North Carolina Okeh PLATINUM popular radio Randy Travis Reba McEntire Ricky Roy Acuff singer singing songwriter Southern Folklife Collection star Statler Brothers steel guitar Tennessee Texas tour tunes University of North Victor Vince Gill VOCALIST Warner Brothers Waylon Jennings Willie Nelson