Country music is alive, well and enjoyed the world over. Though country music songs conjure up thoughts of the firefly speckled summer nights of the deep South, country music songs are hot in locales as far away as Germany and Asia. As country music becomes more and more popular, we are seeing cross over hits from groups such Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts and the birth of country pop princesses like Taylor Swift. In the past, country music has covered topics from lost love to home town. new country songs and country-pop cross overs cover the some of the same territory with a modern flavor.
Though country-pop cross overs are becoming more and more popular, songs that bridge the gap between traditional country and modern pop have been around for years. Artists like John Denver and Glen Campbell blazed the trail for cross over artists in the 1970s with monster hits like Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy". Even the Australia born Olivia Newton-John managed to reach across genres in the 1970s with her hit "Let Me Be There". One of the most famous country-pop cross over success stories has been that of Dolly Parton. While entertaining country fans with country hits like "Why'd You Come Here Lookin' Like That" and "Yellow Roses" she has also penned pop hits like "9 to 5" and even the smash hit "I Will Always Love You" from the soundtrack to the motion picture The Body Guard starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
The country pop genre really come into it's own in the late 90's by the likes of Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and LeeAnn Rimes. The hits written really topped both pop and country music charts with songs like "Can't Fight The Moonlight" and Independence Day". Then other groups hit the band wagon like Lonestar and Dixie Chicks attracted amazing amounts of fans from traditional country and pop.
These days, new country songs and stars are crossing over into the pop genre as much as ever. Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum showed presence at the Grammies, Swift taking home 4 awards, and Lady Antebellum leaving with 5 awards. Taylor Swift is the youngest artist, and only country solo artist to win Album of the Year for her album, "Fearless."
Country music cross overs have a long history, and are only becoming more and more popular. The ability to pull fans from both traditional country music listeners and lovers of pop and contemporary music has crafted careers for many artists and listeners reap the benefits. Whether you are a die hard Patsy Cline lover, or can't get enough of the latest boy band or pop diva, great country-pop cross overs should have a place in your record collection or MP3 player.
Though country-pop cross overs are becoming more and more popular, songs that bridge the gap between traditional country and modern pop have been around for years. Artists like John Denver and Glen Campbell blazed the trail for cross over artists in the 1970s with monster hits like Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy". Even the Australia born Olivia Newton-John managed to reach across genres in the 1970s with her hit "Let Me Be There". One of the most famous country-pop cross over success stories has been that of Dolly Parton. While entertaining country fans with country hits like "Why'd You Come Here Lookin' Like That" and "Yellow Roses" she has also penned pop hits like "9 to 5" and even the smash hit "I Will Always Love You" from the soundtrack to the motion picture The Body Guard starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
The country pop genre really come into it's own in the late 90's by the likes of Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and LeeAnn Rimes. The hits written really topped both pop and country music charts with songs like "Can't Fight The Moonlight" and Independence Day". Then other groups hit the band wagon like Lonestar and Dixie Chicks attracted amazing amounts of fans from traditional country and pop.
These days, new country songs and stars are crossing over into the pop genre as much as ever. Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum showed presence at the Grammies, Swift taking home 4 awards, and Lady Antebellum leaving with 5 awards. Taylor Swift is the youngest artist, and only country solo artist to win Album of the Year for her album, "Fearless."
Country music cross overs have a long history, and are only becoming more and more popular. The ability to pull fans from both traditional country music listeners and lovers of pop and contemporary music has crafted careers for many artists and listeners reap the benefits. Whether you are a die hard Patsy Cline lover, or can't get enough of the latest boy band or pop diva, great country-pop cross overs should have a place in your record collection or MP3 player.
About the Author:
Adam Price is a modern country pop singer, he also has a modern country music blog at Country Fusion with a growing popularity.