country music

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

The Hillbilly Shakespeare

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Study the settlement of the American South and the evolution of music in the region from gospel to country

For Students

country music summary

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country music: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: May 07, 2025

Facts

Also Known As	hillbilly music • country and western

Photos and Videos

The Hillbilly Shakespeare

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Study the settlement of the American South and the evolution of music in the region from gospel to country

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

outlaw music Western swing honky-tonk bluegrass country rock rockabilly music opera choral music theatre music jazz chamber music rock electronic music folk music vocal music rhythm and blues

Key People

Leon Eric Kix Brooks

American musician

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

American singer-songwriter

The King of Rock and Roll

Elvis Presley

American singer and actor

Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings

American musician

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

American musician and actress

Sturgill Simpson

Sturgill Simpson

American singer

Linda Martell in 1969

Linda Martell

American singer

Kris Kristofferson, 2010

Kris Kristofferson

American singer, songwriter, and actor

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

American musician

Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus

American singer and actor

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie

American singer, songwriter, and producer

Homer Haynes

American entertainer

Ray Price

American musician

Townes Van Zandt

American musician

Naomi Judd

American country music singer

Ronnie Gene Dunn

American musician

Wynonna Judd

American country music singer

Natalie Maines

American musician

Jethro Burns

American entertainer

Billy Sherrill

American songwriter and producer

Quiz

Young girl wearing a demin jacket playing the trumpet (child, musical instruments, Asian ethnicity)

Sound Check: Musical Vocabulary Quiz