To get a better perspective on the issue, its important to look at the history of country music as a whole, although the last quarter century will do just fine.

In 1980, country saw the birth of the Urban Cowboy movement, popularized by the John Travolta movie of the same name. Many in the industry regard this period as a black mark on country music, with pop inspired country songs that couldnt make it as country, and were equally abysmal at being pop. Even popular and unquestionably talented acts of the time such as Alabama were virtually ignored by the country establishment, though the number of hits they had certainly spoke volumes of their popularity with the public. Additionally, many country music fixtures of the previous era (and eras) continued to enjoy some level of success during this time. Johnny Cash was a legend of country music well before this period and enjoyed moderate success through it, until 1986, that is, when his label dropped him for not fitting into what country had become at the time.

What country had become at the time was a supposed return to traditionalism. Country regained its countrified sound, and Cashs music didnt fit in. Artist such as Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam , Randy Travis and Ricky Skaggs now defined country, as did George Straight, who began his career in the Urban Cowboy era.

This short period was abruptly halted by the hat brigade, led by Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and others. At this point, country became wildly popular, though there was some dissention in the ranks, mostly from artists of the previous eras.

And today, of course, we have artists from more than one era complaining about the current crop of country music stars. Loretta Lynn cant get 5 seconds on modern country radio, but thankfully has found an audience through her association with Jack White, a rock music icon.

So what do we make of all this? The simple truth is that music was meant to evolve, and that holds true for country just as well as it does for any other genre. Even the legendary Hank Williams, who died at the young age of 29, changed his style during his all too short career. If thats not enough to convince you, take a look at the career of Chet Atkins, possibly the greatest guitar player to ever pick up the instrument (with all due respect to Andres Segovia). Atkins did more for country music than just about any artist in the history of the genre.

By the 1980s, he was bored with country and began releasing some of the most brilliant jazz guitar records ever produced.

Jazz…imagine that.

To download country music for free visit our site http://www.ez-tracks.com/Country.html to read more articles on country music visit our blog http://country-music.blogspot.com Download music for free legally on our site http://www.ez-tracks.com

Country music is a remarkably enticing genre of music that focuses on the melodies and the rhythms. It is identified by its immensely mellifluous tones and upbeat numbers. It is a blend of various distinctive music forms from across the world and mainly has influences from the music that was originated in the southern parts of the United States and the region of Appalachian Mountains. Around 1920, this category rapidly evolved and gained popularity among the masses. This kind of music has its roots in the various traditional and classical types like folk music, old times music, Celtic music, gospel and the blues. In the southern United States the various ethnic groups created music of different styles and the combination of all these styles emerged as the Western Music that comprises a major part of the country and western music.

There have been a number of artists and performers who have gained immense popularity with this genre of music. Elvis Presley, who was earlier known as The Hillbilly Cat was one of the biggest pop icons in the history of music. He won recognition through his immensely admirable country music performances. He was featured on the radio program Louisiana Hayride where he used to give amazing performances based on this music. Similarly Garth Brooke is one of the most appreciated country based music artist whose albums were chart toppers. He made short debut in other genres too. This genre saw its greatest high in the year 2006 when the country albums sales increased by the 17.7 percent to a whopping 36 millions.

The country pop has its roots in the soft rock and the country-politan which emerged as a sub genre of this music in the 1970’s. It was well accepted by the wide variety of audiences during the same decade. The singers like John Denver, Glen Campbell and Anne Murray were some of the most admired artists of this genre. “RhineStone Cowboy” by Campbell is amongst the best and biggest crossover music hits. The songs in this music CD are still hummed by the teenagers and youngsters. Olivia Newton John is considered as the best female country vocal performer.

Outlaw country revolutionized this genre of music completely with the derived Honky Tonk sounds of late 1950’s. After 1935, the Western Swing Big Band leader Bob Willis used drums as the major instrument in his band Texas Playboy. The drums were readily used by the country musicians and the rockabilly groups till 1955. Later, they became significant in the country bands also. The electric guitar was used in the bands that were originated in the beginning of 1938. Arthur Smith achieved immense success with the Guitar Boogie a MGM records album that declared the beginning of guitar as the most influential instrument in the country band.

The distinguishing features of this variety of Country are a very smooth, heavily produced sound, background strings, and vocal choirs. Early examples of this sound are the recordings of Chet Atkins and the more over produced songs of Patsy Cline. As a reaction against the pop Nashville Sound, and greatly influenced by the Country shuffles of Ray Price and his drummer Buddy Harman, the Bakersfield Sound arose in the early 1960s. The distinguishing feature of the Bakersfield Sound was that the “twang” returned there were no strings and no vocal choirs. In contrast to earlier Hank Williams style Country, there was more emphasis on the electric guitar (with a tone owing much to Surf music), and drumming styles included standard Western Swing and Country Shuffle grooves.

The primary modern exponent of the Bakersfield Sound is Dwight Yoakam, who, however, covers a much wider range of styles than Buck Owens. Another reaction against the Nashville Sound was the “Outlaw Movement” of the 1970s. Outlaw music used the sounds of both Hank Williams style Country and the Bakersfield Sound, differing from them primarily in its lyrical content, which was on the dark side, emphasizing heavy drinking, barroom brawls, and infidelity. Its exponents include Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and David Allan Coe. Predictably, the Outlaw Movement still remains excluded from traditional Country music circles. However, during Outlaw’s early years, drums were finally allowed on stage at The Grand Ole Opry when the organization moved to “Opryland” in 1973.

Shortly afterward the Opry appointed Buddy Harman as its first regular drummer, while Harman continued to appear on countless Country music hits, including “Ring of Fire” Johnny Cash), “Bye Bye Love” (Everly Brothers), “Stand by Your Man” (Tammy Wynette) and even the Rock n’ Roll classic “Pretty Woman” (Roy Orbison). Another notable trend in the early 1970s was the emergence of Country Rock. On the Rock side, performers included pioneers such as The Byrds, Gram Parsons, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and, most prominently, The Eagles. On the Country side, the musicians included Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Williams, Jr. The distinguishing features of the genre are its use of Country harmonies and melodies, both Rock and Country instruments, and Rock drumming grooves.

In the 1980s, still another reaction against the Nashville Sound arose with the New Traditionalists, led by Dwight Yoakam and Steve Earle. These artists returned to the stripped down sounds of early Country, the Bakersfield Sound, and, to a limited extent, Bluegrass. A drummer in the Country genre is responsible for a simple and steady beat. Although it appears deceptively easy, Country music boasts some of the best musicians ever to pick up an instrument, drums included.

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Be As You Are. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Kenny Chesney possesses the characteristic of being able to win you over with him talent alone. The kind of artist I really enjoy listening to.

I’m of the opinion that Be As You Are is certainly Kenny Chesney’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual Country fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While this entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 2 - Be As You Are, track 3 - Guitars And Tiki Bars, and track 7 - Something Sexy About The Rain.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10 - Sherry’s Living In Paradise. Wow!

Be As You Are Release Notes:

Kenny Chesney originally released Be As You Are on January 25, 2005 on the Bna Entertainment label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Old Blue Chair 2. Be As You Are 3. Guitars And Tiki Bars 4. Island Boy 5. Somewhere In The Sun 6. Boston 7. Something Sexy About The Rain 8. French Kissing Life 9. Key Lime Pie 10. Sherry’s Living In Paradise 11. Magic 12. Soul Of A Sailor 13. Old Blue Chair - (Ocean mix)

Personnel include: Kenny Chesney (vocals, acoustic guitar); Amy Jo Stelzer (vocals); John Willis (acoustic guitar, gut-string guitar); B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar, nylon-string guitar); J.T. Corenflos (electric guitar, gut-string guitar); Pat Buchanan (electric guitar, harmonica); John Jorgenson (electric guitar); Tommy White (dobro); Jim Hoke (pennywhistle, tenor saxophone); Jim Horn (tenor saxophone); Steve Herman (trumpet); John Hobbs, Randy McCormick (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); David Briggs (piano, keyboards); Larry Paxton (bass guitar, fretless bass); Paul Leim (drums, shaker); Chad Cromwell (drums); Robert Greenidge (steel drum); Tom Roady (tambourine); Eric Darken (percussion).

Recording information: Emerald Entertainment, Nashville, Tennessee; Starstruck, Nashville, Tennessee; Westwood Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Up. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Shania Twain’s most impressive releases ever.

If you’re a Shania Twain fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Twain, or even Country to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.

While this entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 6 - Disc 1 - Ain’t No Particular Way, track 3 - Disc 2 - She’s Not Just A Pretty Face, and track 15 - Disc 2 - What A Way To Wanna Be!

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5 - Disc 2 - Forever And For Always. Great track!

Up Release Notes:

Shania Twain originally released Up on Nov 19, 2002 on the Mercury Nashville label.

CD Track List Follows:

DISC 1: RED DISC (POP-ELECTRIC MIX): 1. Up! 2. I’m Gonna Getcha Good! 3. She’s Not Just A Pretty Face 4. Juanita 5. Forever And For Always 6. Ain’t No Particular Way 7. It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing 8. Nah! 9. That Good!, (Wanna Get To Know You) 10. C’est La Vie 11. I’m Jealous 12. Ka-Ching! 13. Thank You Baby! (For Makin’ Someday Come So Soon) 14. Waiter! Bring Me Water! 15. What A Way To Wanna Be! 16. I Ain’t Goin Down 17. I’m Not In The Mood (To Say No)! 18. In My Car (I’ll Be The Driver) 19. When You Kiss Me

DISC 2: GREEN DISC (COUNTRY-ACOUSTIC MIX): 1. Up! 2. I’m Gonna Getcha Good! 3. She’s Not Just A Pretty Face 4. Juanita 5. Forever And For Always 6. Ain’t No Particular Way 7. It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing 8. Nah! 9. That Good!, (Wanna Get To Know You) 10. C’est La Vie 11. I’m Jealous 12. Ka-Ching! 13. Thank You Baby! (For Makin’ Someday Come So Soon) 14. Waiter! Bring Me Water! 15. What A Way To Wanna Be! 16. I Ain’t Goin Down 17. I’m Not In The Mood (To Say No)! 18. In My Car (I’ll Be The Driver) 19. When You Kiss Me

Release Notes Personnel includes: Shania Twain (vocals); Jon Willis (acoustic guitar, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin); Heitor Perreira (acoustic, electric & Spanish guitar, mandolin); Michael Thompson (electric guitar, slide guitar, bouzouki); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Cory Churko (slide guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin, violin, cello); Irish Film Orchestra, The Leahy’s (strings); Simon & Diamond Duggal (percussion).

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

One of the nicer things about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if Country isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

Overall Honkytonk University is excellent from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Country fan. Really spectacular from beginning to end.

Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Toby Keith is clearly in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Country music you’ll enjoy this album.

While the entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - As Good As I Once Was, track 3 - She Ain’t Hooked On Me No More, and track 12 - You Caught Me At A Bad Time.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 11 - Where You Gonna Go. What a nice track!

Honkytonk University Release Notes:

Toby Keith originally released Honkytonk University on May 17, 2005 on the Dreamworks Nashville label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Honkytonk U 2. As Good As I Once Was 3. She Ain’t Hooked On Me No More - (with Merle Haggard) 4. Big Blue Note 5. Just The Guy To Do It 6. She Left Me 7. Knock Yourself Out 8. You Ain’t Leavin’ (Thank God Are Ya) 9. I Got It Bad 10. Your Smile 11. Where You Gonna Go 12. You Caught Me At A Bad Time

Personnel include: Toby Keith (vocals); Merle Haggard (vocals); Mark Casstevens, Scotty Emerick, B. James Lowry, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Jerry McPherson, Johnny Hiland, Brent Mason, Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Steve Nathan (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); David Hungate, Glenn Worf (bass instrument); Eddie Bayers, Shannon Forest (drums); Wes Hightower (background vocals). Recording information: Shrimp Boat Sound Studio, Key West, Florida; Upstairs Productions, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Loud Recording, Nashville, TN.

This new arrangement of vocals with primary guitar accompaniment provided the base of contemporary Country music. In the 1920s, radio broadcasts, most notably Nashville’s The Grand Ole Opry (first broadcast in 1925), brought Country music to wide popularity. Recognizing commercial potential, recording pioneer Ralph Peer announced auditions in 1927 in the Bristol, Tennessee newspaper. The indigenous musicians straddling the Virginia and Tennessee border showed up in droves. They included Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family. Drums first appeared in Country music with the recordings of Jimmie Rodgers (”Desert Blues” and “Any Old Time”) in 1929, though they were excluded from traditional Country circles, most notably The Grand Ole Opry.

They remained largely excluded from Country music ensembles until the 1930s, when Texas musicians, notably Bob Wills (with drummer Smokey Dacus), created “Western Swing,” adding drums, other Big Band rhythm instruments, and more complicated harmonies than those of traditional Country music. Also, as the name “Western Swing” implies, the primary feel was “swung,” as opposed to the straight feel of most other forms of Country music. When Wills appeared on the stage at The Grand Ole Opry on December 30, 1944, the Opry’s ban on drums was lifted exclusively for his performance, and then promptly reinstated. During the same decade, another relative of Country music appeared in the West, as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry pioneered “Western” music.

Western music differed considerably from both Appalachian hillbilly (Country) music and Western Swing in that it downplayed instrumental virtuosity, was primarily vocally oriented, and more especially crooner oriented. The subject matter of its songs differed greatly, too. Instead of the strange duality of gritty and religious songs, Western performers sang pop songs (e.g., Gene Autry’s 1941 version of “You Are My Sunshine”) and original Western songs portraying a heavily romanticized West (e.g., “Cool Water” and “Tumbling Tumble Weeds”). Western music’s greatest star in the latter half of the 20th century was Marty Robbins (”El Paso”). Western lives on today in nostalgia oriented groups such as Sons of the Pioneers, though its popularity has diminished.

When drums are used in this style (often they’re not), they normally play slow Country Shuffle grooves and are very much in the background. The mainstream of Country music had made its way into the night life of cities and run down bars by the 1940s. And in the latter part of that decade, Country’s first post war “superstar,” Hank Williams, developed the “Honky Tonk” style. This featured what has become the standard Country instrumental line-up: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, drums, vocalist, and often pedal steel guitar and or fiddle, and occasionally piano.