In the late 1920s, primitive early recordings in Bristol, Virginia, began to take off in a big way with the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, whose 78 rpm records sold like hotcakes across the nation and influenced an upcoming generation of country singers. Hank Williams hit the world like a fireball in the late 1940s. His influence is still heard today after his early death at age 29 in 1953. While most aspiring hopefuls came to Nashville with hopes of breaking into the industry, different states and regions spawned their own greats, and still do. Not to be overlooked from the West Coast are Wynn Stewart, Joe Maphis, Merle Travis and Rose Maddox, to name just a few.
Country music is broad.
There are distinct styles with their own lineages. Bluegrass, for instance, began with Bill Monroe in 1949. Ralph Stanley's voice inspired me to sing. Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Marty Stuart and Vince Gill were teenage bluegrass prodigies before their country success. Alison Krauss continues to bring a new audience to this form, to which she has added her own touch.