Roots of Country Music

Guys, Gals, and Gossip!

-One of Country's biggest stars and former "American Idol", Carrie Underwood, will be performing on American Idol tonight on the FOX network.

-On the Sunday epsiode of "The Celebrity Apprentince," Country music star, Trace Adkins, was fired and booted home.

-Clint Black was also kicked off "Celebrity Apprentince" Sunday night.

Here is your Top Ten Artists for May '09:

1. Taylor Swift
2. Kellie Pickler
3. Katie Arminger
4. Julianne Hough
5. Phil Vassar
6. Brad Paisley
7. Jimmy Wayne
8. Toby Keith
9. Trace Adkins
10. Sara Evans

Country music (or country and western) is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s.

In the Southwestern United States a different mix of ethnic groups created the music that became the Western music of the term country and Western. The term "country music" is used today to describe many styles and subgenres.

While album sales of most musical genres have declined, country music experienced one of its best years in 2006. Country music listening nationwide has remained steady for almost a decade, reaching 77.3 million adults every week.

Country music has been popular for many years, and many years to come. It is the music of America!