subject: A New Age for Country Music [print this page] A New Age for Country Music A New Age for Country Music
What's your favorite type of music? Most people may prefer rock and roll, pop, jazz punk, etc. These genres are most publicised by television and the radio. Country Music now would seem to mistakenly belong to the category of rock or pop. Publicity of this category started to drop only after the year 2000; however, it did have its peak years just before the decline.
Also, what people may not know is that this type of music inspired rock and roll especially with one of the most iconic figures in music history Elvis Presley - who is known as the "King of Rock and Roll". Elvis was a regular at the radio program Louisiana Hayride which broadcasted Country Music back in the late 1940's.
A Distinct Genre
Like any genre, country is also influenced by many others such as jazz and blues. Rock music too is influenced by jazz and blues but is also heavily influenced by country such that they may even seem similar. What makes them different then? Rock tends to use more complicated chord sequences and make use of guitars, bass and drums for most cases. Country uses pedal steel, banjos and fiddles to create a more moderate rhythm which rock usually deviates from.
Nowadays, country is closely related to pop due to artists' preference and popular demand. Starting from the 80's it slowly divided itself into New and Old Country Music. Legends like Johnny cash began to slip away due to the new perception of country which actually contains pop because his music just doesn't fit the category anymore'. Fortunately, country music is still heavily promoted through websites and reviews pertaining to its ever-changing genre combinations.
Suitable for All Ages
Certain genres nowadays are associated with age groups. Classical (with instruments) for the people belonging in the mid 19th century, pop in the 1920's, and then there's country. All these types continue to grow and modernise while still appealing to certain age groups. More modern Country Music tends to become different in their own ways which makes it even harder to identify them as country while, again, remain appealing only to certain age groups.
Active promoters of Country Music, however, seem to appeal to a multitude of age groups especially those active in Australia The Wolverines, Kelly Hope and Jonah's road to name a few. For as long as country isn't mixed with other genres, it will eventually regain its glamour as music for all ages.
