Artists
This female singer is known as "The Queen of Country" and had many hits in the 1960s and 1970s; her first name is Patsy.
Who is Patsy Cline?
This stringed instrument with six strings is commonly used in country music for rhythm and chords.
What is the guitar?
Country music has strong roots in this country where folk and ballad traditions merged with other music styles.
What is the United States?
Unlike rock music, country music often emphasizes storytelling and this lyrical element in its songs.
What is storytelling / narrative lyrics?
This country duo made famous songs like "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "I Will Always Love You" (note: one is a solo artist who recorded it). Name one well-known country artist associated with the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
Who is John Denver?
This instrument, often played with a slide and associated with a twangy sound, is common in country music and has pedals or a steel bar.
What is the steel guitar?
In the early 20th century, country music developed largely in this U.S. region known for Appalachian folk traditions.
What is Appalachia?
Bluegrass and country both use acoustic instruments, but bluegrass often features faster, more complex instrumental solos. State one instrument commonly featured in bluegrass that is also used in country.
What are the banjo, fiddle, mandolin?
This male artist started in country and crossed over to pop with hits in the 1990s such as "Achy Breaky Heart."
Who is Billy Ray Cyrus?
A small, high-pitched, plucked instrument with usually four strings that adds a bright sound to country songs.
What is a banjo?
Many early country songs came from European settlers. Name one cultural influence (a continent or cultural group) that contributed to country music's early sound
What are Scottish, English, Irish folk traditions?
Country-pop crossover songs often add this musical element (common in pop) to make country songs appeal to pop radio listeners.
What are pop production elements (synth, electric guitar, polished production, catchy hooks)?
This modern female artist wrote or co-wrote many of her own songs, started in country and became a global pop star; she released the album "Fearless."
Who is Taylor Swift?
This percussion instrument keeps the beat in many country bands and often includes a snare, bass drum, hi-hat, and cymbals.
What is a drumset?
This early 20th-century technology and event helped spread country music by broadcasting songs to wide audiences.
What is the radio?
Compared to hip-hop, country music traditionally uses more of these (name a musical element such as singing rather than rapping) and focuses on different themes; name one key difference in performance style.
What is singing vs. rapping (or emphasis on melody and instruments rather than beats/rap flow)?
Name a historic country singer-songwriter who wrote the classic "Your Cheatin' Heart" and is considered one of the earliest stars of country music.
Who is Hank Williams Sr.?
This instrument is like a guitar but larger and tuned lower; it provides deep bass lines in country and other bands.
What is the upright/double bass?
Name one social or economic factor in rural America that influenced the themes of early country music (examples: migration, farm life, work, poverty).
What is rural life/farming, migration to cities, economic hardship (Great Depression)?
Folk music and country share storytelling roots. Name one way the subject matter of folk songs and classic country songs is similar (for example: focus on everyday life, social issues, or historical events).
What is, both often focus on everyday life, relationships, work, and local history?