Traditional Country

Traditional country refers to several forms of Country music that are most closely aligned with the genre's pure American Folk Music and Blues roots, from country music's inception in Appalachia and the American South (the first widely available country records were produced in the 1920s) until the popularity of Honky Tonk and Country Pop in the 1950s. The beginnings of country music arguably lie in the Appalachian Folk Music style Old-Time. Typically featuring fiddle and banjo, the term was initially used by OKeh Records to describe the music of Fiddlin' John Carson in the 1920s. By the late 1920s, recordings of 'hillbilly music' became widely available, with the term 'country' not being popularly used until the 1940s. The Carter Family defined early traditional country, becoming major stars and releasing several singles that crossed over into Gospel music (Country Gospel). The European-derived technique of Yodeling was also introduced into country music, pioneered by Jimmie Rodgers and Riley Puckett, with the first Country Yodeling record believed to be the latter's "Rock All Our Babies to Sleep" (1924). In the 1930s the distinctive two-part Close Harmony style emerged, often performed by brothers such as The Blue Sky Boys. Later on in the decade, another Appalachian style, Bluegrass, developed, with innovator Bill Monroe drawing on old-time music and using various string instruments (most popularly banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar). The parallel development of Western music in the early 20th century was initially separate from hillbilly/country music, but was later subsumed in the latter's overall lineage after marketing of 'country and western' music became popular from the 1940s. Western music and cowboy singers such as Gene Autry drew from European Folk Music and ballads. Hank Williams' traditional country style in the late 1940s paved the way for the lively, upbeat honky tonk style. This soon became popular during the 1950s and, alongside country pop, led to country becoming mainstream. Newer country styles such as the Nashville Sound began to dominate the scene whilst traditional country styles became less popular and were soon performed by select groups of musicians. Various revivals have appeared since, including 21st century acts Old Crow Medicine Show and Carolina Chocolate Drops performing old-time and bluegrass.