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Country music (or country and western) is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, gospel music and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s. The term country music began to be used in the 1940s when the earlier term hillbilly music was deemed to be degrading and the term was widely embraced in the 1970s, while country and Western has declined in use since that time, except in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is still commonly used. In the Southwestern United States a different mix of ethnic groups created the music that became the Western music of the term country and Western. The term (country music) is used today to describe many styles and subgenres. Country music has produced two of the top selling solo artists of all time. Elvis Presley, who was known early on as (the Hillbilly Cat) and was a regular on the radio program Louisiana Hayride, went on to become a defining figure in the emergence of rock and roll. Contemporary musician Garth Brooks, with 220 million albums sold, is the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. While album sales of most musical genres have declined, country music experienced one of its best years in 2006, when, during the first six months, U.S. sales of country albums increased by 17.7 percent to 36 million. Moreover, country music listening nationwide has remained steady for almost a decade, reaching 77.3 million adults every week, according to the radio-ratings agency Arbitron, Inc.
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Latest news about Country music
Music Review: Sade returns with beauty and mystery
Sade, "Soldier of adore" (Epic) -- Like a long-ago lover not quite forgotten, Sade has returned to steal our hearts with more beautiful, uncategorizable music.
8 Feb 2010, 12:48 am | click here to view more
VFW to collect care-box items at music show Feb. 6
Buffalo VFW Post 4080 will collect nonperishable items for care boxes for overseas military personnel at their country music show and spaghetti supper on Feb. 6.
7 Feb 2010, 4:14 am | click here to view more
Country music fan pens book
Dwight Sumner is a big fan of country music and Nashville, Tenn. In fact, he is in the process of moving to Nashville. Sumner, 78, who has had a residence in East Alton, has a new book out on the market, "Makin' It to Nashville."
7 Feb 2010, 3:36 pm | click here to view more
Kenny Rogers marks 50 years in music
Country music veteran Kenny Rogers is marking 50 years in the music business with a star-studded TV special.
7 Feb 2010, 11:13 pm | click here to view more
Bill Bell: Life is sweet for music man Steve Shoemaker
Steve Shoemaker and Whittier have made sweet music together for 51 years. And there's good reason to believe they will continue to do so for a long time to arrive.
7 Feb 2010, 10:51 pm | click here to view more
PERFORMANCE/TOUR: New Orleans Super Bowl Week of Music
NEW ORLEANS MUSIC NEWS The latest music updates from New Orleans and South Louisiana Entertainment, Music. A week's worth of good music starting Friday, February 5, 2010 FRIDAY The Dirty Bourbon River Show celebrates the release of its new album at Tipitina's. At One Eyed Jacks, the New Orleans Bingo! Show debuts its new lineup. The rough-voiced country-rocker and occasional hobo Stix duh Clown ...
6 Feb 2010, 5:01 pm | click here to view more
Interview: Eric Church puts the rebel yell in country music
Country upstart Eric Church's tune "adore Your adore the Most" is his biggest hit to date and his first to crack country radio's top 10.
6 Feb 2010, 11:00 pm | click here to view more
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is open free Saturday
Admission to The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will be free on Saturday.
5 Feb 2010, 2:26 am | click here to view more
Country Music USA continuing tradition in Yoakum
YOAKUM - Country Music USA has provided monthly entertainment in the Crossroads for more than 30 years.
4 Feb 2010, 4:39 pm | click here to view more
Record Number To Run In Country Music Marathon
Organizers of the Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon say that a record number of runners have signed up to participate in this year's race.
4 Feb 2010, 3:05 pm | click here to view more