Free and romantic country music. Country Music Best American Country

- How to distinguish a popular singer from an ordinary one?
- A private collects stadiums, and a popular for the same money 50 people in a restaurant.

Country is not only cowboys, prairies and the banjo game, it is also great and respected by many, whose performers to this day collect huge halls and. Music, born out of the efforts of the white population living in the rural areas of the American West and South, has spawned an entire cultural era. We offer you the top 10 best country music performers who have firmly entered it and are not going to go out.

1

This is a young performer with powerful vocals, thanks to which she was able to win the hearts of many fans. Her debut album was titled "Some Hearts". It was released in 2006, has sold 6 million copies and became the most successful by the end of that year.

2

The world started talking about Tim McGraw in 1994. This country artist has topped the American country charts 20 times and has sold over 40 million copies of his albums.

3

The strong and soulful vocals of this performer gave her the opportunity to be called among the people the new "Celine Dion". In terms of country, of course. The singer's debut came in 1991, and it was associated with the single "The Time Has Come".

4

Playing on Willie Nelson's "soul strings" is simply divine. But this singer is not only good at fingering the strings, but also composes songs and plays in films. Willie has starred in more than thirty films, and also co-authored many books.

John Denver began his musical climb of Mount Olympus, playing with various country bands. However, he gained maximum success only when he became a solo performer, having recorded more than three hundred songs on his own. Moreover, he created 200 of them on his own. Now it is clear why 4 of his albums were tinted platinum, and 12 - in gold.

6

Hank Williams at one time gained fame as a true legend of country music. His thirty-five singles without any special problems and difficulties got into the Billboard music top, and eleven of them took first place in it.

7

This country performer has managed to break every conceivable and inconceivable record set by musicians in record sales. It was in the 90s, but to this day Garth's albums are very popular and sell well. He is the owner of two Grammy and as many as seventeen - American Music Awards.

8

The love of fans brought Shania a disc called "The Woman in Me". But the singer's other album, "Come On Over", released in 1997, which became the most commercially successful of all country records in history, was able to break his fame.

9

Brad's first album hit the shelves in 1999 and was called Who Needs Pictures. The single "He Didn't Have to Be" from this disc only seven months later helped the musician climb to number one in the "cowboy" charts. 16 of his songs achieved similar success throughout Paisley's career.

10

Roger Miller love the song "King Of The Road". It became a wildly popular hit in its day. The story of a tramp who does not complain about fate, but enjoys life, moving around the country on trains, has conquered the entire country world. In 1995, Roger was inducted into the Cowboy Instrumental Hall of Fame.

Country (English Country from country music - rural music) - the most common type of North American folk music, in popularity is not inferior to pop music. The origins and formation of the Country genre ... Read all Country (English Country from country music - rural music) - the most common type of North American folk music, in popularity is not inferior to pop music. The origins and formation of the Country genre are united by two varieties of American folklore - this is the music of white settlers who settled in the New World in the 17th-18th centuries. and Wild West cowboy ballads. This music has a strong legacy of Elizabethan madrigals, Irish and Scottish folk music. The main musical instruments of this style are guitar, banjo and violin. "The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane" is the first "documented" country song written in 1871 by Will Heiss of Kentucky. 53 years later, Fiddin John Carson records this composition on a disc. Since October 1925, the radio program "Grand Ole Opry" began to work, which to this day broadcasts concerts of country stars live. Country music, as a music industry, began to gain traction in the late 1940s. thanks to the success of Hank Williams (1923-53), who not only set the image of a country music performer for generations to come, but also outlined the typical themes of the genre - tragic love, loneliness and the hardships of a working life. By that time, there were different styles in country: Western swing, which took the principles of arrangement from Dixieland - here Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys were the king of the genre; bluegrass, dominated by its founder Bill Monroe; the style of musicians like Hank Williams was then called Hillbilly. In the mid-1950s. country music, along with elements from other genres (gospel, rhythm and blues), gave birth to rock and roll. The borderline genre, rockabilly, immediately emerged - it was with it that such singers as Elvis Presley, Karl Perkins and Johnny Cash began their creative career - it is no coincidence that they were all recorded in the same Memphis studio Sun Records. Thanks to the success of Marty Robbins's 1959 Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, the country-n-western genre, dominated by scenes from the life of the Wild West, has emerged. In the early 1960s. Influenced by producers such as Chet Atkins and Steve Sholes, Williams' archaic style (the so-called "honky tonk") was replaced by a "Nashville sound" with its polished sound and crystal-clear arrangements, in which the piano has become an important place - not without the influence of Floyd Kremer, one of the architects of this direction. George Jones, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Tammy Vineth were some of the most successful performers of this period. In 1961, the Country Music Hall of Fame was founded in Nashville, by then the center of the country industry. A number of musicians of the late 1960s - Chris Christofferson, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Creedence Clearwater Revival - took an eclectic approach: they successfully combined country with rock, giving rise to such a direction as country rock. Willie Nelson is one of the pillars of country music. in the country music industry, two poles have emerged: on the one hand, it is the connection with the musical tradition and the hillbilly theme, on the other, the gravitation towards the stage and the mass audience. It is the popularity of one of these two biases that will determine the genre at one time or another from then on. Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings began their careers in the mainstream of traditional country music. However, the greatest success was in the second half of the 1970s. received just the performers who significantly blurred the boundaries between country and stage: Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell, Ann Murray, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, whose recordings were so little different from pop music performers that fierce disputes arise between country radio stations about how this or that song fits into their format. Such pop country reached its highest peak in the late 1970s and 1980s, not least thanks to the film Urban Cowboy, which sparked widespread interest in country music. The counterbalance to country pop was given by a new generation of performers: George Straight, Gene Watson, Patti Loveless; it was this trend, dubbed neo-traditionalism, that gained the upper hand in the country industry by the end of the 1980s. In the 1990s. country music was defined by such performers as Garth Brooks, George Straight, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson. Canadian singer Shania Twain has achieved international success, combining country music with pop music and rock. The tendency to saturate country with elements of popular music, jazz and folk music is even more evident in the work of contemporary artists such as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Leanne Rimes, Carrie Underwood. Say, McGraw's most successful single was recorded in a duet with rapper Nelly, and veteran Willie Nelson recently released an album with pronounced reggae elements. Collapse

Country music belongs to light genres. Light - because it is easy to listen to, it is pleasing to the ears. Easy to remember motives take the listener out of the city, where the roar of the megalopolis does not drown out the sounds of the wind in the field, birds in the forest, where you can see the beauty of butterflies flying and breathe in fresh air with full breasts. So country music has gained wide popularity both among residents of urban areas and among non-urban residents. We know many examples country performers who opted for this genre, created country music and those who have achieved success in this field.

Today we'll talk about Top 10 Country Music Performers.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood ranks first on our list. She has amazingly beautiful powerful vocals, therefore, despite her youth, she won a huge number of fans. Debut album "Some Hearts" was released in 2006 and became the best-selling album of the year (over 6 million copies sold). After the release of the first album Carrie Underwood pleased her fans with 5 new singles - Inside Your Heaven, Jesus Take The Wheel, Don’t Forget To Remember Me, Wasted and Before He Cheats... Moreover, each of them at different times took first places in various country charts.

At the 2008 Grammy ceremony Carrie Underwood won in the nomination "Best New Artist", and was announced in two nominations (the second - "Song of the Year"). One of her hits "Before He Cheats", peaked for 64 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and ended up as the third longest-lived singles in the chart's 50-year history.

Tim McGraw

In second place in the list of the most popular country performers– Tim McGraw... For the first time, the world started talking about him in 1994. During my career Tim climbed to first place more than 20 times country charts USA, has sold over 40 million copies of albums, released a huge number of hits, including in a duet with his wife Faith Hill. Winner of 3 Grammy awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards. Another famous country singer at the dawn of her career, she dedicated a single to her favorite artist "Tim McGraw"... Three singles Tim McGraw became the Best country songs of the year: "It's Your Love", "Just To See You Smile" and "Live Like You Were Dying".

Martina McBride

In third place on our list Martina McBride- singer and songwriter. She is known not only as country singer with strong, clean vocals, but also an amazing person. Every time you watch a video of the singer or see recordings of interviews at social gatherings, it's hard to disagree - sweet, charming and nothing more. Martina McBride are called "Celine Dior in Country Music"... Her debut took place in 1991 when Martin released a single "The Time Has Come"... Since then, the singer's singles have regularly hit the top of the Billboard country charts. During my career Martina McBride released 11 studio albums, which have sold 14 million copies. The singer has received the Country Music Association award 4 times in the category "Best female vocal" and three times - the Academy of Country Music award in the category "Best female performer". Her powerful vocals are easy to appreciate in "In My Daughter's Eyes"... And she is especially romantic and touching when performed "How Far":

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson takes the honorable 4th place, but not because of his voice or manner of performance. This performer cannot leave anyone indifferent with his guitar playing. Willie Nelson- singer and songwriter, poet and actor. He has appeared in over 30 films and co-authored several books. Willie Nelson- a bright representative of the so-called outlaw country, one of the directions country music, which gained its distribution and popularity in the late 1960s. The singer is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Recording of the Year Grammy (1982, for a re-interpretation of a classic song "Always on My Mind"), "Musical Legend" (1990) and "For Lifetime Achievements" (1999).

John denver

In the fifth place of our country charts– John denver... With the help of his voice, through his songs, he shared his feelings and experiences with the audience. It was hard to forget his performances. He began his musical career with several country group, but achieved the greatest success and popularity in his solo career. For all the time he has recorded and released more than 300 songs, 200 of which he wrote himself. Most of his songs are about the beauty of nature, love for music, tests in love. 12 of his albums went gold and 4 went platinum.

Hank Williams

Hank Williams- one of the most famous country singers of all time. This amazing musician has become a legend country music, an inspiration for many musicians around the world and an icon for fans country... 35 singles Williams hit the top of Billboard, 11 of which peaked at number one. He lived a short life, only 29 years old, but left a big mark on history. country music... He managed so little and at the same time so much in 5 years of active creative life. Unfortunately, with the career takeoff, the performer's personality began to disintegrate. The 29-year-old singer died in the back seat of his Cadillac. A bottle of whiskey was found next to him. It is noteworthy that his last single was "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive"("I will never get out of this light alive").

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks- one of the most successful performers country music. Brooks used elements of rock in his studio recordings and concerts, which allowed him to expand his audience of fans. He broke every record for album and ticket sales for his concerts in the 1990s. Albums Brooks are still being successfully sold out, as of 2011, more than 68 million copies were sold, which is 5 million more than sold albums. Brooks- Winner of 2 Grammy Awards and 17 American Music Awards. On March 6, 2012, it announced the inclusion of Brooks into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Creation Brooks Is an alloy of measured country and energetic rock, but the single "I Love the Way You Love Me"- a good example of a rather calm kind country.

Shania Twain

Beautiful, sexy and talented Shania Twain just have to be in the top ten country performers... The album brought her first fame "The Woman in Me", and in 1997 the album was released "Come On Over" which became the best-selling country album of all times (its circulation amounted to more than 40 million copies). Twain- owner of 5 Grammy, she is the only singer in history, whose three albums in a row have reached "diamond" status. More than 85 million albums have been sold worldwide. Listen "You’re still the one" performed by Shania Twain... Diva, and more!

Brad paisley

Next Top 10 Performer country music takes Brad paisley... A talented singer who knows how to conquer listeners, showing sincere feelings during the performance of songs in which many recognize themselves and the events associated with their lives. His first album was released in 1999 under the title "Who Needs Pictures", and after 7 months Paisley was in first place in country charts with single “He Didn’t Have to Be". Over the course of his career, 25 singles made it to the top ten Brad, 16 of which reached first place. He also holds a record - 10 singles in a row occupied the top of the charts.

Roger Miller

And finally Roger Miller- singer, composer and musician. The cheerful, witty singer was an unsurpassed master of singing in the style country... He owns the phrase: "The human brain is an amazing organ that starts working from birth and does not stop until you sit down and write a song." He hosted his own humorous TV show, wrote both light, frivolous songs and philosophical ballads. Business card Roger Miller- song "King Of The Road" which became a hit in 1965. This is a story about a tramp enjoying life, traveling by train. During his creative career Miller won 11 Grammy awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995. Although the singer passed away 20 years ago, his songs are still remembered and loved.

Have you heard the songs of these performers? Who would you include on this list?

Top 10 Country Performers updated: April 13, 2019 by the author: Elena

Country music is a variety of North American folk music. Despite its considerable age, this "rural music" (as the name suggests) still finds a lot of listeners.

The overwhelming majority of Russian youth associate Russian folk songs with old women and old people singing to the accompaniment. Country folk music in the United States competes with pop music at about the same level.

Country music. A bit of history.

Country music is a variety of North American folklore. It includes both the songs of the cowboys of the Wild West and the music of white-skinned settlers who left the Old World for XVII - XVIII centuries. Acoustic guitar, violin and mandolin are the foundational instruments of the country style. Under the influence of musical Negro culture, banjos and are also widely used here.

Country songs and ballads tend to follow the theme of rural folklore. The most common themes of such songs are unhappy love, hard workdays and loneliness.

Poet Harlen Howard, who has written many hits in this style, said about country music that it consists

"Of three chords and veracity."

The main styles of country music are:

• Western swing based on the principles and arrangements of Dixieland;
• bluegrass;
• country-n-western, describing the life of the Wild West.

In the fifties of the twentieth century, country, along with gospel and rhythm and blues, contributed to the creation of rock and roll and rockabilly.

Russian country music performers. Group "Kukuruza".

The group "Kukuruza" is perhaps the most famous group working in the country style. The group received official status back in 1986. Although the history of the group began in the seventies, with the student ensemble "Ornament".

In 2000, as part of the Hawaiians beat group, I played in the Ku-Ku club in Moscow near the Rechnoy Vokzal metro station. The musicians of the Kukuruza group were directly related to this club. I remember well that the club was very stylishly decorated in the spirit of a Wild West era saloon.

And who does not remember the wonderful song "Sing, Vasya!" At one of our student parties, one of the participants used a lot. He could no longer get up, and because of us he could not sleep. Since we behaved quite noisily, and the radio was shouting at full volume. Finally, he prayed, "Don't make a noise!" And the radio at that moment sang in response to him:

"And no one even thought to make noise, Vasya sang, you can't help singing!"

After that, of course, we fell to the floor in hysterical laughter.

Country music in the creativity of the "Hawaiians" beat group.

Country music found reflection in the work of the "Hawaiians" beat group. Moreover, in a rather non-standard and unusual way. We can say that it was with country music that the history of this wonderful group began.

In June 1995, Oleg Knizhnik, the future leader of the Hawaiians, called me. He offered to record fourteen country songs, which he wrote in five days. I agreed immediately after listening to the compositions. They were that good.

None of us then really knew how to play. And the possibilities for recording were very modest. We only had two Soviet-made microphones. We put these microphones on the table and sat around them. And they wrote it down this way. And the resulting album was called "The Good Man", after the title of one of the songs.

On the recording we used maracas, a harmonica and three acoustic guitars. One of the guitars was hooked up to an amplifier and used in place of a bass or slide guitar. It turned out wild, but cute.

The themes and harmonies of the songs were very close to the original sources of country music. One can draw a conclusion about this by the names of the songs: "Cattle death", "Crested", "American Dream", "Field mouse ate the whole crop", "Fur coat-oak-country", "In Kentucky", "Give me a ride, dad, on a horse ”and the like. However, for true connoisseurs of country music, these songs looked like sheer mockery and mockery. In principle, they were. But for us it was a real pleasure to perform these songs. There was too much fun and positive in them.

In the student environment of our city, this recording was a great success. And in the fall of the same 1995, Oleg wrote eleven more similar songs: "In our chicken coop", "George the Goose", "Grizzly Bears". The latter, according to Oleg, is written in the style of "country chaos". The album was called "Eh, I'll Trample!"

In the second album, a duet was even recorded, where my own sister acted as a singer. The song was called "You walk me home." In one of the verses of this song, the following words sounded on behalf of a male character:

“I’ll give you an ear of corn, don’t think that this is a transparent hint!”.

It was with these records that the history of the "Hawaiians" beat group began. The name, by the way, was invented during the recording of the first album. Our musical delights were associated with the performance of Captain Vrungel and Fuchs in the Hawaiian Islands. Therefore, on the cassette with the recording it was written: “Semyon the Fearless and the Hawaiians trio.

Subsequently, we exploited these songs quite seriously. Ours sounded especially good on. And our audience has always accepted these songs with a bang.