Q: Dearest 100 Hour Board,
Is country music only a US thing? Or are there other places around the world who listen (by listen, I mean the music is topping charts) to the type of country music that we have in America?
SSDGM,
Scarlet Flamingo
A:
Dear Mrs. Peacock,
As a self-described hater of country music, but a lover of good music, I'll do my best (meaning, I'm relying a lot on Wikipedia to answer this question).
Outside of the United States, Canada has the largest country music fan and artist base, something that is to be expected given the two countries' proximity and cultural parallels. Mainstream country music is culturally ingrained in the prairie provinces, Ontario, and in Atlantic Canada... stock and rural; as such, the development of traditional music in the Maritimes somewhat mirrored the development of country music in the US South and Appalachia. Country and Western music never really developed separately in Canada; however, after its introduction to Canada, following the spread of radio, it developed quite quickly out of the Atlantic Canadian traditional scene. While true Atlantic Canadian traditional music is very Celtic or "sea shanty" in nature, even today, the lines have often been blurred. Certain areas often are viewed as embracing one strain or the other more openly. For example, in Newfoundland, the traditional music remains unique and Irish in nature, whereas traditional musicians in other parts of the region may play both genres interchangeably.
Australian country music has a long tradition. Influenced by American country music, it has developed a distinct style, shaped by British and Irish folk ballads and Australian bush balladeers like Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. Country instruments, including the guitar, banjo, fiddle and harmonica, create the distinctive sound of country music in Australia and accompany songs with a strong storyline and memorable chorus.
Country music is popular in the UK, with many US acts touring regularly there, although somewhat less so than in other English-speaking countries. There are some British country music acts and publications. Although radio stations devoted to country are among the most popular in other Anglophone nations, none of the top 10 most-listened-to stations in the UK are country stations, and national broadcaster BBC Radio does not offer a country station.
In short, no, country music is not only an American genre. The most famous American country musicians (Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, etc) find international fame. However, the style of country music will somewhat depend on the country of origin. UK-based country will often have more folk/Celtic undertones, Australian may pull largely from Aboriginal music that has existed for centuries, and American country will be more "westernized." Country music is widely accepted in non-English speaking countries, but more often than not, artists from their country/language will find more success than English-speaking country stars.
-April Ludgate
A:
Dear Scarlet,
While this isn't any evidence of country music's popularity there, my roommate is from a Middle Eastern country, and he loves country music more than any person should (according to another self-described hater of country music).
-The Entomophagist
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