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'''Country Girls''' (カントリー・ガールズ), formerly known as '''Country Musume''' (カントリー娘。), is an all-female J-pop group within [[Hello! Project]]. The group, which debuted in 1999, is known for its concept of being a group of "country girls from Hokkaido". The group's activities became inactive when Satoda became the sole member in 2007. On November 5, 2014, the group was revived with 6 new members.<ref name="hpoff">"[http://www.helloproject.com/news/2183/ 『カントリー娘。』改め『カントリー・ガールズ』について]" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2014-11-05.</ref>
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'''Country Girls''' (カントリー・ガールズ), formerly known as '''Country Musume''' (カントリー娘。), is an all-female J-pop group within [[Hello! Project]]. The group, which debuted in 1999, is known for its concept of being a group of "country girls from Hokkaido." The group's activities became inactive when Satoda became the sole member in 2007. On November 5, 2014, the group was revived with 6 new members.<ref name="hpoff">"[http://www.helloproject.com/news/2183/ 『カントリー娘。』改め『カントリー・ガールズ』について]" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2014-11-05.</ref>
Country Musume's highest selling single is [[Hajimete no Happy Birthday!]] with 142,340 copies sold, while their lowest selling single is [[Shining Itoshiki Anata]] with 16,450 copies sold.
Country Musume's highest selling single is [[Hajimete no Happy Birthday!]] with 142,340 copies sold, while their lowest selling single is [[Shining Itoshiki Anata]] with 16,450 copies sold.
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==History==
==History==
===1999===
===1999===
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On April 27th, Country Musume was formed by [[Tsunku]] and Japanese talent and fellow Up-Front Agency artist, Tanaka Yoshitake (the group’s original producer) and was billed as "Country Girls from Hokkaido". The initial group consisted of members and Hokkaido natives [[Toda Rinne|Rinne]], [[Kobayashi Azusa]], and [[Yanagihara Hiromi]].
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On April 27th, Country Musume was formed by [[Tsunku]] and Japanese talent and fellow Up-Front Agency artist, Tanaka Yoshitake (the group’s original producer) and was billed as "Country Girls from Hokkaido." The initial group consisted of members and Hokkaido natives [[Toda Rinne|Rinne]], [[Kobayashi Azusa]], and [[Yanagihara Hiromi]].
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The 4-week audition cycle was unusual since it didn’t only consist of the traditional voice and dance lessons, but also a physical challenge: working at the Hanabatake farm in southern Hokkaido.
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The 4-week audition cycle was unusual since not only did it consist of the traditional voice and dance lessons, but it added a physical challenge: Working at the Hanabatake farm in southern Hokkaido.
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The purpose of the physical challenge was to show how responsible the girls were and how well they work as a team to fit the “country girls from Hokkaido” image, since Hokkaido is seen as the countryside of Japan–and the audition was open to all of Japan, not just Hokkaido. Thus, producer Tanaka called for the physical challenge to see who can live up to a “Hokkaido” image.
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The purpose of the physical challenge was to show how responsible the girls were and how well they worked as a team to fit the “country girls from Hokkaido” image, since Hokkaido is seen as the countryside of Japan–and the audition was open to all of Japan, not just Hokkaido. Thus, producer Tanaka called for the physical challenge to see who can live up to a “Hokkaido” image.
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Following the trend of their sister group, [[Morning Musume]], Kobayashi, as the oldest member, was given the title as leader of the group. After working on their debut single with plenty of support from other singers such as Moritaka Chisato and Nakazawa Yuko, they were able to successfully record and complete the promotion video.
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Following the trend of their sister group, [[Morning Musume]], Kobayashi, as the oldest member, was made the leader of the group. After working on their debut single, with plenty of support from other singers such as Moritaka Chisato and Nakazawa Yuko, they were able to successfully record and complete their first promotional video.
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On July 16th, Yanagihara was killed in a car accident, just days before their first single was released, at the age of 19. Yanagihara’s family was given the decision on whether or not Country Musume should continue their work and release their single as scheduled, to which they approved. On August 23rd, Kobayashi decided to leave the group for personal reasons. After a two-month hiatus, Rinne started performing as a solo act, but under the Country Musume name, releasing two singles.
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On July 16th, Yanagihara was killed in a car accident, just days before their first single was released, at the age of 19. Yanagihara’s family was given the decision on whether or not Country Musume should continue their work and release their single as scheduled, to which they approved.
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On August 23rd, Kobayashi decided to leave the group for personal reasons. After a two-month hiatus, Rinne started performing as a solo act, but under the Country Musume name, releasing two singles.
===2000===
===2000===
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In May, [[Kimura Asami|Asami]] was added to the group, Rinne became group leader and the duo released one more single.
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In May, [[Kimura Asami|Asami]] was added to the group, Rinne became the leader and the duo released one more single.
However, by the end of the year, producer Tanaka decided to give Tsunku the producer’s position of the group, due to his difficulty in finding more members to join Rinne and Asami. The first change that Tsunku made was to “lend” members of Morning Musume into the group.
However, by the end of the year, producer Tanaka decided to give Tsunku the producer’s position of the group, due to his difficulty in finding more members to join Rinne and Asami. The first change that Tsunku made was to “lend” members of Morning Musume into the group.
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===2002===
===2002===
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On January 2nd, [[Satoda Mai]] was recruited into the group, although she initially auditioned to be a Morning Musume member. The quartet released one single before Rinne, the remaining original member, bid farewell on October 13th to pursue a career within Up-Front Agency as a stage actress, leaving Asami to become the new leader of the group. Afterwards, Asami, Ishikawa and Satoda released one more single.
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On January 2nd, [[Satoda Mai]] was recruited into the group, although she initially auditioned to be a Morning Musume member. The quartet released one single before Rinne, the only remaining original member, bid farewell on October 13th to pursue a career within Up-Front Agency as a stage actress, leaving Asami to become the new leader of the group. Afterwards, Asami, Ishikawa and Satoda released one more single.
===2003===
===2003===
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On April 27th, Country Musume had a major shift in its roster. [[Saito Miuna|Miuna]], who is from Shizuoka, was recruited into the group. The group featured Morning Musume members and Hokkaido natives [[Konno Asami]] and [[Fujimoto Miki]], replacing Ishikawa Rika. Under this new formation named ''Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto'', the quintet has released three singles as of date.
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On April 27th, Country Musume had a major shift in its roster. [[Saito Miuna|Miuna]], who is from Shizuoka, was recruited into the group. The group featured Morning Musume members and Hokkaido natives [[Konno Asami]] and [[Fujimoto Miki]], replacing Ishikawa Rika. Under this new formation, named ''Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto'', the quintet released three singles.
===2004===
===2004===
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===2006-2007===
===2006-2007===
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On November 25th, 2006, it was announced that Asami and Miuna would be graduating from Country Musume and Hello! Project together on January 28, 2007, at the final performance of Hello! Project 2007 Winter ~Shuuketsu! 10th Anniversary~ [http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/cuntry_0611250100.html]. Since Konno and Fujimoto have also since graduated from Morning Musume, they are no longer “lent” to Country Musume. Thus, Satoda Mai is currently the only member, and continues to work under the Country Musume name. This is the second time that Country Musume consists of only one member.
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On November 25th, 2006, it was announced that Asami and Miuna would be graduating from Country Musume and Hello! Project together on January 28, 2007, at the final performance of Hello! Project 2007 Winter ~Shuuketsu! 10th Anniversary~ [http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/cuntry_0611250100.html]. Since Konno and Fujimoto had also graduated from Morning Musume, they were no longer “loaned” to Country Musume. Thus, Satoda Mai became the only member, and continued to work under the Country Musume name. This was the second time that Country Musume consisted of only one member.
===2009===
===2009===
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In 2009, Satoda Mai graduated from Hello! Project. After graduating, Satoda continues to be the only member of Country Musume under [[UP-FRONT PROMOTION]].
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In 2009, Satoda Mai graduated from Hello! Project. After graduating, Satoda continued to be the only member of Country Musume under [[UP-FRONT PROMOTION]].
===2013===
===2013===
On October 1, the group was transferred from [[UP-FRONT PROMOTION]] to {{ufg|UP-FRONT CREATE}}.
On October 1, the group was transferred from [[UP-FRONT PROMOTION]] to {{ufg|UP-FRONT CREATE}}.
===2014===
===2014===
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On January 2, [[Tsunku]] revealed that he was considering to re-start Country Musume. On February 11, through a VTR message, [[Satoda Mai]] anounced the [[Country Musume Shin Member Audition]] during the 2014 Winter Hello! Project Concert tour. Satoda Mai will not participate in group activities for the possible new line-up, as she now resides outside of Japan. On August 7, it was announced that the auditions had ended and no new members were chosen.
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On January 2, [[Tsunku]] revealed that he was considering to re-start Country Musume. On February 11, through a VTR message, [[Satoda Mai]] anounced the [[Country Musume Shin Member Audition]] during the 2014 Winter Hello! Project Concert tour. Satoda Mai would not participate in the groups activities for the possible new line-up, as she then resided outside of Japan. On August 7, it was announced that the auditions had ended and no new members were chosen.
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On November 5, it was announced that Country Musume was renamed to Country Girls and 5 new girls were added: [[Inaba Manaka]] and [[Yamaki Risa]] from [[Hello Pro Kenshuusei]] and [[Morito Chisaki]], [[Shimamura Uta]] and [[Ozeki Mai]] from the [[Morning Musume '14 (Golden) Audition!]].<ref name="hpoff" /><ref name="cgmen">"[http://www.alivem.net/news/2770/ カントリー娘。「カントリー・ガールズ」に改名で再始動！ “ももち”も加入]" (in Japanese). AliveM.net. 2014-11-05.</ref> Satoda Mai will be the group's General Manager/ Supervisor.<ref name="hpoff" /> [[Tsugunaga Momoko]] will also be a member of the group, becoming the playing manager when her group [[Berryz Koubou]] goes on indefinite hiatus in 2015.<ref name="hpoff" /><ref name="cgmen" /><ref>Satoda Mai (Translator: Skoban). "[http://blog-project.net/special-translations/213765 A report！ (Satoda Mai)]." Blog!Project. 2014-11-05.</ref> The new unit will debut in the upcoming Hello! Project winter concert tour.<ref name="hpoff" /><ref name="cgmen" />
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On November 5, it was announced that Country Musume was renamed Country Girls and 5 new girls were added: [[Inaba Manaka]] and [[Yamaki Risa]] from [[Hello Pro Kenshuusei]] and [[Morito Chisaki]], [[Shimamura Uta]] and [[Ozeki Mai]] from the [[Morning Musume '14 (Golden) Audition!]].<ref name="hpoff" /><ref name="cgmen">"[http://www.alivem.net/news/2770/ カントリー娘。「カントリー・ガールズ」に改名で再始動！ “ももち”も加入]" (in Japanese). AliveM.net. 2014-11-05.</ref> Satoda Mai would be the group's General Manager/Supervisor.<ref name="hpoff" /> [[Tsugunaga Momoko]] would also be a member of the group, becoming the playing manager when her group [[Berryz Koubou]] went on indefinite hiatus in 2015.<ref name="hpoff" /><ref name="cgmen" /><ref>Satoda Mai (Translator: Skoban). "[http://blog-project.net/special-translations/213765 A report！ (Satoda Mai)]." Blog!Project. 2014-11-05.</ref> The new unit would debut in the upcoming Hello! Project winter concert tour.<ref name="hpoff" /><ref name="cgmen" />
===2015===
===2015===
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On March 25, Country Girls released their major debut single since re-joining Hello! Project, "[[Itooshikutte Gomen ne / Koi Dorobou]]". It Debuted in 4th place on the [[Oricon]]'s daily Chart Rankings.
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On March 25, Country Girls released their major debut single since re-joining Hello! Project, "[[Itooshikutte Gomen ne / Koi Dorobou]]." It debuted in 4th place on [[Oricon]]'s daily Chart Rankings.
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On April 2nd, Country Girls and [[℃-ute]] are set to perform at 'forTUNE fes vol.0' along. along with other artists.<ref>http://fortunemusic.jp/fes_20150402/</ref>
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On April 2nd, Country Girls and [[℃-ute]] were set to perform at 'forTUNE fes vol.0' along with other artists.<ref>http://fortunemusic.jp/fes_20150402/</ref>
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The group along with [[Kobushi Factory]] will be the opening acts for [[Juice=Juice]]'s, [[Juice=Juice Fast Live Tour 2015 ~Special Juice~]].
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The group, along with [[Kobushi Factory]], were the opening acts for [[Juice=Juice]]'s, [[Juice=Juice Fast Live Tour 2015 ~Special Juice~]].
On June 12, it was announced that Shimamura Uta had left the group. <ref>http://www.helloproject.com/news/2980/[http://www.helloproject.com/news/2980/]</ref>
On June 12, it was announced that Shimamura Uta had left the group. <ref>http://www.helloproject.com/news/2980/[http://www.helloproject.com/news/2980/]</ref>
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Out of the active and former members of Country Musume, [[Toda Rinne|Rinne]], [[Kimura Asami|Asami]], [[Satoda Mai]] and [[Inaba Manaka]] were from Hokkaido prefecture.
*Out of the active and former members of Country Musume, [[Toda Rinne|Rinne]], [[Kimura Asami|Asami]], [[Satoda Mai]] and [[Inaba Manaka]] were from Hokkaido prefecture.
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*From March 31, 2009 to November 4, 2014, the group was not part of Hello! Project. As of November 5, 2014, Country Girls (excluding Satoda Mai) will be under Hello! Project, but will not be produced by [[Tsunku]].
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*From March 31, 2009 to November 4, 2014, the group was not an active part of Hello! Project. As of November 5, 2014, Country Girls (excluding Satoda Mai) were contracted to Hello! Project, but were not produced by [[Tsunku]].
*[[Yamaki Risa]] and [[Inaba Manaka]] are the first Country Girls members to come from [[Hello Pro Kenshuusei]].
*[[Yamaki Risa]] and [[Inaba Manaka]] are the first Country Girls members to come from [[Hello Pro Kenshuusei]].
*[[Morito Chisaki]], [[Shimamura Uta]], and [[Ozeki Mai]] are the first members to be born after the group's formation.
*[[Morito Chisaki]], [[Shimamura Uta]], and [[Ozeki Mai]] are the first members to be born after the group's formation.