Country music originated in the southern United States in the 1920s, blending styles of American folk music, Irish and Celtic fiddle tunes, and European immigrant music. Some key early artists included Jimmie Rodgers, known for yodeling, and Johnny Cash. While the genre has evolved over time, common instruments include guitar, fiddle, and steel guitar. Country music videos have become more stereotypical over time, now often featuring the country lifestyle through locations, clothing, and vehicles.

1. Genre research - Country

2. Where it originated from
 Country is a genre of American popular music which originated in Southern united
states, in Bristol, Tennessee in the 1920’s.
 It takes its roots from the south eastern genre of American folk music and western
music.
 The origins of country music are the fold music of mostly white, working class
Americans who blended popular songs, Irish and Celtic fiddle tunes, traditional
ballads, cowboy songs and various musical tradition from European immigrant
communities.
 Country was born by musicians who were brave enough to wear their heart on their
sleeves from happiness to heartache.
 Because of country icons like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and jimmy Rodger, this
southern soulful genre has grown to be loved by so many.

3. Main artists
 The first country singers
 1928 – ‘Blue Yodel’ – became famous for his style of yodelling. (Jimmie Rodgers)
 1955 – Johnny Cash
 1957 – Elvis Presley (with a sub genre of rock)
 Now
 Although Dolly Parton has been around for a long time doing country singing, she
is still a current country singer now.
 Lady Antebellum
 Brad Paisley
 Carrie underwood

4.  Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkRUTryzRSs
 Elvis Presley – Suspicious mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBmAPYkPeYU
 Dolly Parton – Jolene
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1plvBR02wDs
 Brad Paisley – country Nation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tjg5c7Wo4g
 Carrie Underwood – Smoke Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ealNayCkaU

5. British Country Singers
 Sarah Jory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoMgfa2wZG0
 Sally Timms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkRUTryzRSs

6. Awards
 The main country awards are the ‘CMA’ awards ( Country music association). At
these awards a range of awards are given out for country artists such as personal
excellence, male/female vocalist etc.

7. Key features of country music
 Typical instruments that are used in country music are;
 Vocals, acoustic guitar, drums, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, double bass, pedal steel
guitar, harmonica.
 Country music consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms of
harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments.

8. Styling/ Clothing/ attitudes
 Clothing
 Denim (loose clothing)
 Shirts
 Boots (or bare foot)
 Attitudes
 Manners
 Love and pride (especially of country)
 Proud
 Reach out (big hearts)

9. Evolution of country music
 Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY
 Dolly Parton – Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ifWeaSdrc
Johnny cash ring of fire is a performance music video and the
outfits worn are smart and not the typical stereotypical dress
for country artists.
Dolly Parton, home is predominately also a
performance based music video, similar to
Johnny Cash. However, it has a slightly more
country film due to the slightly more basic and
country instrument. However, it still doesn’t
portray typical country stereotypes.

10. Evolution of country music
 Clay walker - She wont be lonely long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3n9HtxzuBI
 Brad Paisley – Country Nation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tjg5c7Wo4g
Clay Walker’s music video is a performance and narrative based music video. This music
video follows conventions and is a much more stereotypical country music video than
older ones. It is set in the country and peaceful locations (beach), he is wearing more
country clothing (cowboy hat) and a horse is involved.
Brad Paisley's music video follows conventions much more and as the most
recent is the most stereotypical to what audiences would expect a country
music video to be as it includes; cowboy boots, hats, set in the country,
music instruments, animals

11. Evolution of country music
 The four examples of country music videos I have used have clearly shown an
evolution over time.
 It can be seen as since time has gone on, the stereotypes have become more and
more fixed and a part of peoples views and therefore the music videos have
conformed to these stereotypes more and more over time.

12. Conventions of country music videos
 Country music videos usually enhance or reinforce they storyline being portrayed
in the song, in order to bring it to life visually.
 Commonly, country music videos follow a narrative.
 The artist themselves are usually expected to feature in the music video.
 There are many things which often feature in country music videos which
audiences stereotypically associate with country music such as trucks, country side,
cowboy boots, denim etc.