Country Music
– is a genre of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1920’s. It takes its roots from the southeastern genre of American folk music and Western music. Blues modes have been used extensively throughout its recorded history. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, dobros and fiddles as well as harmonicas.
The term country music gained popularity in the 1940s in preference to the earlier term hillbilly music; it came to encompass Western music, which evolved parallel to hillbilly music from similar roots, in the mid-20th century. The term country music is used today to describe many styles and sub-genres.
The origins of country music are the folk music of mostly white, working-class Americans, who blended popular songs, Irish and Celtic fiddle tunes, traditional ballads, and cowboy songs, and various musical traditions from European immigrant communities. In 2009 country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular in the morning commute in the United States.
Country Music is now stronger:
The exposure of country music is now stronger than ever in the past years. Although the style has always gathered interest from the well known– thanks to artists like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, more country musicians are appealing to followers outside of the normal channels of the genre than ever. Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan have taken their extraordinary styles of music from the arenas to the stadiums, with bigger effectiveness than ever before.
More features of the genre are also presented in various other radio structures, such as pop, rock, and rap/hip-hop. Though musicians from a country have consistently had a strong sales exposure– with Garth Brooks and George Strait being two of the biggest music retailers of the past quarter-century, neither act took their singles to pop radio.
Shania Twain and LeAnn Rimes did so in the late 90s with songs like “You’re Still The One” and “I Need You,” respectively, but now it’s a little more commonplace for artists from the genre to find effectiveness on the Hot 100, such as Swift or Florida Georgia Line. And, it works both ways– with Darius Rucker becoming one of the top recording performers in the business and a member of the Grand Ole Opry– as well as an effective launch of Sheryl Crow as a country artist by Warner Brothers.
In recent years, country music’s breakthrough artists have gotten more access from conventional media outlets– both due to the growth of the groundbreaking artists that came before them and also because marketers and channels no longer perceive country music as a regional format but understand that the country consumer and fan is a highly desirable national and international target who is tech savvy and has disposable income,” Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association told Billboard.
Conventional America is in love with country music, and corporate America has spotted that. Today’s country music is young and interesting. It’s a party. It has a rock edge that youngsters love – and so do the Baby Boomers, who are exhausted of 30 to 40-year-old classic rock. Because of this there is an enhanced option for TV exposures in both programming and national product promotions in advertising and marketing like country artists acting in major studio films. Some performers they have released their own fragrances, shoe lines, and clothing lines.
1. Young and Educated Listeners
Country songs fans are frequently stereotyped as being older as well as ignorant, yet the fact is, they are far much more diverse. Based on Nielsen, Country songs is the 2nd most listened-to format for the 18-34 demographic. Moreover, Signboard says that the average listener is 45 years old and also makes $79,000 each year–$20,000 more than the typical American. 30 % contend the very least some university education, and 75 % have their very own homes. That implies that Country and Western stations appeal to one of the most desired age as well as income demographics.
2. “Country” Isn’t One Format
While “Country” radio preponderates, it is vital to know that the term “c and w” is a collection of numerous sub-genres, many which are prominent amongst Cox Media Group Houston radio terminals. Each has its own special noise, in addition to customer base. Here are the three most popular:
Nation: The most widely paid attention to kind of country songs, this style showcases bluegrass, western swing, cowboy, and so on. Audiences are most likely to be older as well as much more typical compared to their counterparts.
Hit/New Country: Merely like their pop cozs, these terminals focus on the leading 40 of nation. The sound and audiences are both more youthful and technology savvy than various other listeners. The New 93Q, for instance, is a best terminal for fans looking for both up-and-coming musicians and also famous trailblazers. Timeless Nation: Traditional nation is a favored among listeners yearning to hear their favorite country tracks as well as artists from the 1970s-1990s. Much like traditional rock, marketers can locate a huge viewers of even more middle aged (34-52) males by marketing with terminals such as Nation Legends 97.1.
3.Engaged and Loyal Listeners
According to a Spotify research of audiences, Country and Western fans are the 4th most loyal audiences. They have the tendency to adhere to their genre as well as do not endeavor much. Yet along with being connected to their preferred style of music, they are also involved when they listen. Forbes reports that the Country Music Awards (CMA) was one of the most social show of the year, being tweeted concerning over 1.67 million tweets. When businesses could provide Country and Western fans something to speak about, such as a bargain or a support for an occasion, these listeners are much more going to not only participate, yet share amongst their circles.
4.Top 40 Sound is Different
Gone is the excellent ol’ twang of the acoustic guitar or the stirring voice of a love spurned singer. Top 40 Nation has actually relocated away from tradition to welcome the pounding drum collection as well as the piercing electric guitar. The made sound has made younger males group to the radio in droves. Based on The Florida Times, nearly 20 % of teenagers report being Nation songs fans; at the same time, millennials (those in between 20-35) have actually welcomed the no-holding-back message of the newest variation of C and w. To speak with these teams, marketers have to create a message that offers similarly as the songs. Areas must be a lot more bold, edgy, and also interesting. Also, the call-to-action must include new technology (such as checking out a Facebook page) and also consist of a buy-in.
5. Values are Key
While the sound might have transformed, the listener’s core worths have not. Equally as they were when the style initially ended up being The American go to music, audiences are proud their home as well as their country. Rolling Stone asserts that though the genres vary in severe from contemporary rock to down-home blues and individual, Nation music’s heart stays with custom and worth. Audiences want their brands and products to talk to this. Companies that are rooted in family members, Americana, as well as home-town pride must reveal that loud as well as pleased.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_music
http://www.billboard.com/