Country Music Backing Tracks

About Country and Western Music

Country and Western music is directly descended from the folk songs, ballads, and popular songs of the English, Scottish, and Irish settlers of the U.S. south-eastern seaboard. Its modern lyrics depict the emotions and experience of rural and (currently) urban poor whites; they often tell frankly of illicit love, crime, and prison life.
Over the last 50 years country and western music has gained an international audience. Since 1925 the “Grand Ole Opry”  a Saturday night performance featuring country and western singers, has been broadcast weekly from Nashville, Tennessee.

Many of the musicians have been influenced by African-American blues, but the performers and audience are almost all white. Leading performers include  Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

In the 1960s and 70s, country and western music significantly influenced the development of rock music, but by the late 70s and 80s country music was starting lose its popularity.

By the early 90’s country music had undergone an international revival with performers such as Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, achieving great popularity.  These artists drastically altered the direction of Country Music by infusing a youthful vitality and rock-and-roll mentality and have moved country music firmly into the 21stCentury.

Popular Artists of Country are: 

• • Johnny Cash
  • Willie Nelson
  • Dolly Parton
  • Garth Brooks
  • Travis Tritt
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Hank Williams
  • Taylor Swift
  • Brad Paisley
  • Tammy Wynette
  • Glem Campbell
  • Reba Mcintyre
  • Kenny Rogers
  • Emmylou Harris
  • Tim McGraw
  • Crystal Gayle
  • Keith Urban
  • Alison Krauss
  • Brooke & Dunn