1. COUNTRY MUSIC
Music Ed Podcast
Laura Galanti

2. First Generation Country Music
• Began in the early 20 th century.
• Referred to as “old time music.”
• Bands consisted mainly of stringed instruments like guitars, banjos,
and fiddles.
• Bluegrass was born when artists began adding lyrics to this type of
music.
• One example is “The Little Old Cabin in the Lane” by Fiddlin’ John
Carson.

3. Second Generation Country Music
• Lasted between the 1930s and 40s.
• The Grand Ole Opry began during this time.
• Singing cowboys in western films popularized country music.
• Hillbilly boogie came about. This was one of the first subgenres of
country music to incorporate guitars and drums. An example of this
is “Boogie Woogie” by Johnny Barfield.
• Honky tonk music became popular among men in Oklahoma and
Texas. This particular subgenre is known for its steel guitar sound.

4. Third Generation Country Music
• Lasted between the 1950s and 60s.
• Hillbilly music and rock and roll were combined to form rockabilly
music.
• In 1963, Ray Charles released a country western album. His new
sound was referred to as country/soul crossover.
• The country/rock crossover that developed as a result of the British
Invasion came to be known as country rock.
• An example of country rock is “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence
Clearwater Revival

5. Fourth Generation Country Music
• Lasted throughout the 1970s and 80s.
• Outlaw country music was derived from honky tonk music. It is
typically associated with rebel type artists.
• Country pop was the gamechanger of Fourth Generation country. It
began when country singers started to make the popular music
charts. These songs were written to appeal to a wider range of
audiences.
• An example of this is “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton.

6. Fifth Generation Country Music
• Lasted throughout the 1990s.
• Artists like Billy Ray Cyrus and Garth Brooks made country music
world famous.
• Female singers like Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, and the Dixie
Chicks all released albums that went platinum.

7. Sixth Generation Country Music
• Modern day country music.
• Considered by many to not be “true country” anymore.
• Many artists like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are considered
to be crossover artists, meaning they switch between country and
pop.