Country music originated in Tennessee in the 1920s when the Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers popularized the genre with recordings. Country pop developed over the 20th century by blending country with modern pop elements like drums and unconventional melodies. Popular country pop artists include Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood, who incorporate pop elements into their country songs but still focus on the traditional country string instruments and storytelling lyrics.

1. GENRE
RESEARCH:
COUNTRY POP

2. WHERE DID IT ORIGINATE FROM?
• Country music originated from Tennessee.
• Several recordings of country music had been recorded in the 1920’s, however it
wasn’t until the Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers were signed by Victor Records in
1927, that ‘country music was born’. ( https://www.thoughtco.com/the-history-of-
country-music-934030 )
• This was because they recorded many songs that were very popular.
• The pop element developed over the 20th century. Pop functions consist of a modern
instruments, drum beats, editing or possibly a developed melody that explores
unconventional notes.

3. MAIN COUNTRY POP ARTISTS• Dolly Parton: The Grammy Award winner, has written some of the most well-known country music we
hear today. Songs such as, Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You. Parton has also written the music
and produced the musical 9 to 5 which opened on Broadway in 2009.
• Taylor Swift: She is modern artist who has released many country pop songs, her most popular songs
are, ‘Blank Space’ and ‘Shake It Off’. Some of her country songs include, ‘Tim McGraw’ and ‘Our Song’.
She has won 10 Grammy Awards and has performed with other popular artists such as, Brendan Urie
and Ed Sheeran.
• Carrie Underwood: The American singer has released ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’, ‘All-American Girl’ and
‘Cry Pretty’. She has won 7 Grammy Awards and 14 Academy of Country Music Awards.
• https://www.acmcountry.com/winners
• Other country pop music awards are:
• Country Pop Awards: Favourite Male/Female Country Artist, Favourite Country Album. The CMA’s
awards include, Entertainer of the Year, Male/Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year.

4. KEY FEATURES OF COUNTRY AND POP
MUSIC:
• The string section is the main focus, looking at the acoustic guitar, electric guitar,
violin, accordion or banjo. The drums are also a key feature to keep a steady and clear
beat.
• Usually played on a guitar or other string instruments. The music consists of a story or
layout of lyrics. It has a regular format of a verse, and a chorus but is usually more
obviously repetitive.
• The song may have a purpose through telling a story. There are some country songs
that have been modernised, now with the generic format of a pop song. Whereby, they
have a verse, chorus and bridge.