Thursday, September 17, 2020

September 17 - International Country Music Day

 

Happy International Country Music Day! On September 17, today encourages any and all of us to break out the banjo, the fiddle, and the steel guitar. Crank up some tunes by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, George Strait, and Tim McGraw. 
 

Country music began right here in America. In the early 1900s, country music roots sprouted in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  


Victor Records produced the first country record with singer American fiddle player Alexander Campbell "Eck" Robertson. However, American singer-songwriter and musician Jimmie Rodgers, earned the name of the “Father of Country Music.”  


In 1927, his song, “Blue Yodel #1” sold more than one million copies. Sadly, his death on may 26, 1933 cut his career short due to kidney disease. Rodgers was 35. 


In the 1930s and 1940s, cowboy movies featuring Roy Rogers and Gene Autry fanned the flames of country music. 


By the 1950s and 1960s, Nashville earned the country music capital of the world crown. The genre spread to the West Coast, where country music combined with rock and roll to create rockabilly. 
 

Throughout the years, fans fell in love with the heart-felt lyrics pouring out of country music songs. Not all country songs are about heartbreak and heartache, though.  


Some of the best country songs sing about sexy tractors, watermelon crawls, unanswered prayers, boot-scootin’ boogies, friends in low places, islands in the stream, and rhinestone cowboys. It’s no wonder that so many people love country music! 


This genre of music truly loves its country. What other kinds of music create songs like, “God Bless the U.S.A,” “Some Gave All,” “Ragged Old Flag,” and “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” 
 

No matter who you are, you are bound to find a country song that makes you cry, laugh, love your country, remember the good ol days, and make you want to dance. 


HOW TO OBSERVE 


One of the best ways to observe International Country Music Day is to tune in to your local country music station.  


Go to the bar and get in on some line dancing action. Watch a country music film like 'Nashville' (1975), 'Coal Miner’s Daughter' (1980), 'Pure Country' (1992), 'The Thing Called Love' (1993), 'Hope Floats' (1998), 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' (2000), 'Walk the Line' (2005), 'Crazy Heart' (2009) or 'Country Strong' (2010). 


If you’ve never listened to country music before, you might be surprised that there is hardly any twang in modern-day country music.  


Try some Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, John Denver, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood, George Strait, Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, or Billy Ray Cyrus. 


You can even go to a country music concert or country music festival to observe this day as well.  


No matter what you do, you’re bound to have a rootin’ tootin’ good time! Don’t forget your cowboy hat and be sure to share #CountryMusicDay on social media! 


HISTORY 


International Country Music Day was established in 2003. The day was created to bring country music artists and fans together to celebrate country music all over the world.  


September 17 also commemorates the birthday of Hank Williams, one of the most influential artists in country music. 


Who is your favorite country singer(s)? What is your favorite country song(s)? 


#CountryMusicDay

@VictorRecords 

@nichecinmea 

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