City Country: The Paradox of Country Music in Urban America

No other genre in American music has maintained such a popular presence on the national conscience as country music. Though it is not the only distinct "American" style of music in the United States, this genre has consistently maintained a strong listener base and standard themes of content, more so than any other variation of music. Country music as a commercial industry began between 1920 and 1925 in the rural South.1 Since those grassroots beginnings, the genre has become synonymous with the city of Nashville and songs about love, loss, and drinking. In the 21st century, the popularity of country music hit a new peak with skyrocketing presence in American cities. This once distinctly, rural musical style has evolved to appeal to all Americans, rural and urban alike, leaving one to wonder why that is so. Country music's popularity in American cities results from the urbanization of the genre especially by mass media and contemporary country artists integrating their music with other genres.