Country music, one of the most well-loved genres of music in the United States and Australia, was formed out of the marriage of popular music that originated from southern parts of the United States of America.
With its roots traced from traditional folk music, Celtic music, old-time, and gospel, country music has since evolved from how it was during the 1920s into something a bit more modern and hip nowadays. Before the 1940s country music was branded as hillbilly music and was considered degrading, which explains the change to to what it is simply known now as country.
Country music is the preferred genre of some of the most successful musical artists of all time. Elvis Presley was a regular hit-maker in the country music scene, and is widely known worldwide as one of the most legendary voices of all time. Garth Brooks is another great country music artist, and with his 128 million albums sold to date, is the top-selling solo singer in United States history.
Nowadays country music artists are venturing into mainstream popular music, a move that is sneered upon by some purists but all in all has produced some of the best music in the past few decades. Some of the country music artists who have crossed over include Shania Twain, Leanne Rhymes, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Swift.