Country music, once referred to as Country and Western, is a popular musical form that was developed, for the most part in the southern United States in places like Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas (to name a few). It's 'roots' go further back to an older genre (although still much alive and popular today) called folk which included traditional folk music, spirituals (such as Swing Low Sweet Chariot) and even some blues.

For a bit of nostalgia, a man by the name of Vernon Dalhart was the very first country singer to have a nation-wide hit. It came out sometimes in May of 1924 named "The Wreck Of Old '97".

Although it is not know who 'founded' country music it is believed to have been greatly influenced (in the early days) by Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family. Their songs were first recorded at an historical recording session in Bristol, Tennessee on the 1st of August of 1927. A man by the name of Ralph Peer (a talent scout and recordist, the person to lay claims on their talents. It is therefore normal to put many country singers within either the 'Jimmie Rodgers' set or the 'Carter Family' set.