With country music as popular as ever-what other form of music has been honored on an official state quarter?-Country Music's Most WantedOao hits the stage to bring you tales of country musicOCOs famous and infamous.Alan Jackson delivered mail to Hee Hawbefore he made it big. Garth Brooks was booed off the stage during an eleventh-grade talent show. Kris Kristofferson landed a borrowed helicopter on Johnny CashOCOs lawn so he could pitch Cash a song. YouOCOll read about Vernon Dalhart, Kenny Chesney, Hank Williams, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, the Carters, the Cashes, the Webbs, and so many more artists of yesterday and today. With more than fifty lists, Country Music's Most WantedOao gives you those stories and people plus fun discussions of the best train songs, phone call songs, humorous songs, and tequila songs (you provide the salt and limes).Country musicOCOs vibrant past, successful present, and bright future are all represented in this humorous look at the stars and legends of Music City. From the first million-selling record in 1924 to the songs you heard on the radio last night, Country Music's Most WantedOao has a tractor-full of fun country music trivia!"

One of Oprah Daily's 20 Favorite Books of 2021 • Selected as one of Pitchfork's Best Music Books of the Year “One of the best books of its kind in decades.” —The Wall Street Journal An epic achievement and a huge delight, the entire history of popular music over the past fifty years refracted through the big genres that have defined and dominated it: rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance music, and pop Kelefa Sanneh, one of the essential voices of our time on music and culture, has made a deep study of how popular music unites and divides us, charting the way genres become communities. In Major Labels, Sanneh distills a career’s worth of knowledge about music and musicians into a brilliant and omnivorous reckoning with popular music—as an art form (actually, a bunch of art forms), as a cultural and economic force, and as a tool that we use to build our identities. He explains the history of slow jams, the genius of Shania Twain, and why rappers are always getting in trouble. Sanneh shows how these genres have been defined by the tension between mainstream and outsider, between authenticity and phoniness, between good and bad, right and wrong. Throughout, race is a powerful touchstone: just as there have always been Black audiences and white audiences, with more or less overlap depending on the moment, there has been Black music and white music, constantly mixing and separating. Sanneh debunks cherished myths, reappraises beloved heroes, and upends familiar ideas of musical greatness, arguing that sometimes, the best popular music isn’t transcendent. Songs express our grudges as well as our hopes, and they are motivated by greed as well as idealism; music is a powerful tool for human connection, but also for human antagonism. This is a book about the music everyone loves, the music everyone hates, and the decades-long argument over which is which. The opposite of a modest proposal, Major Labels pays in full.

In country music, the men might dominate the radio waves. But it’s women—like Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, and Kacey Musgraves—who are making history. This is the full and unbridled story of the past twenty years of country music seen through the lens of these trailblazers’ careers—their paths to stardom and their battles against a deeply embedded boys’ club, as well as their efforts to transform the genre into a more inclusive place—as told by award-winning Nashville journalist Marissa R. Moss. For the women of country music, 1999 was an entirely different universe—a brief blip in time, when women like Shania Twain and the Chicks topped every chart and made country music a woman’s world. But the industry, which prefers its stars to be neutral, be obedient, and never rock the boat, had other plans. It wanted its women to “shut up and sing”—or else. In 2021, women are played on country radio as little as 10 percent of the time, but they’re still selling out arenas, as Kacey Musgraves does, and becoming infinitely bigger live draws than most of their male counterparts, creating massive pop crossover hits like Maren Morris’s “The Middle,” pushing the industry to confront its racial biases with Mickey Guyton’s “Black Like Me,” and winning heaps of Grammy nominations. Her Country is the story of how in the past two decades, country’s women fought back against systems designed to keep them down and created entirely new pathways to success. It’s the behind-the-scenes story of how women like Kacey, Mickey, Maren, Miranda Lambert, Rissi Palmer, Brandi Carlile, and many more have reinvented their place in an industry stacked against them. When the rules stopped working for these women, they threw them out, made their own, and took control—changing the genre forever, and for the better.

Country music icon, army veteran, father, outdoorsman—Craig Morgan shares all aspects of his life, revealing stories even his most avid fans don’t know. Written with Jim DeFelice, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller American Sniper In 1989, as US news outlets declared an end to Operation Just Cause, Craig Morgan was part of an elite group of military operatives jumping into the jungle along the Panamanian border on a covert operation. Fans know the country music star from his hit songs and acclaimed albums, but there’s a lot more to him—a soldier who worked with the CIA in Panama, an undercover agent who fought sex traffickers in Thailand, and a dedicated family man who lives the values he sings. Craig details these many facets of his life and more in God, Family, Country. An on-stage appearance with his father’s band at age ten may have planted the seeds for life as a country star, but first he trained as a paratrooper in the army. After earning numerous distinctions, his path to sergeant major was all but assured. Then came a momentous decision: he left the active military to pursue music. With unwavering support from his wife and a pack of part-time jobs, he toughed out the lean years and achieved his first big success with the poignant ballad “Almost Home.” Other hits soon followed, from party songs like “Redneck Yacht Club” to the soul-rending “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Born from the anguish of his son Jerry’s passing, the song’s tribute has consoled and inspired millions across the world. Duty to country has been a constant throughout his life and globe-spanning career. In 2006, as “That’s What I Love about Sunday” topped country radio charts, Craig was riding in a convoy of Humvees in Iraq. An avid outdoorsman, a former sheriff’s deputy who’s still a member of the auxiliary, and always a husband and father first, Craig Morgan will inspire you with his life lived by the deepest values: God, family, country.

Introduction: Dolly mythology -- "Backwoods Barbie": Dolly Parton's gender performance -- My Tennessee mountain home: early Parton and authenticity narratives -- Parton's crossover and film stardom: the "hillbilly Mae West"--Hungry again: reclaiming country authenticity narratives -- "Digital Dolly" and new media fandoms -- Conclusion: brand evolution and Dollywood

In "Echoes of Country: The Life and Music of MORGAN WALLEN," embark on an intimate and enthralling journey through the life, struggles, and rise of one of country music's most enigmatic and impactful artists. Delve beyond the chart-topping hits and sold-out arenas to uncover the untold story behind the man who redefined the genre. From the rolling hills of Sneedville, Tennessee, to the pinnacle of musical stardom, witness Morgan Wallen's evolution from a small-town dreamer to a cultural icon. Explore the echoes of his past that resonate within his music, shaping each heartfelt lyric and soul-stirring melody. Discover the roots that grounded him, the influences that shaped him, and the unwavering determination that propelled him forward against all odds. Unveil the chapters of his life that remain unseen-his humble beginnings, personal triumphs, and the intimate struggles that shaped the artist behind the spotlight. Through candid storytelling and authentic revelations, explore the depths of Wallen's emotional journey, revealing the vulnerabilities that breathed life into his music. Explore the pivotal moments-the collaborations that defined his sound, the hurdles that tested his resolve, and the breakthroughs that catapulted him into the echelons of country music royalty. Experience the impact of his resonating voice, raw storytelling, and his ability to turn life's experiences into anthems that echo within the hearts of fans worldwide. More than a musician, Morgan Wallen's story echoes resilience, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to the power of storytelling through music. "Echoes of Country" paints a vivid portrait of an artist whose melodies transcend boundaries, connecting souls and leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of country music and the lives of those who listen. Benefits of reading this book: 1. Gain intimate insights into Morgan Wallen's life and music. 2. Understand the journey behind his chart-topping hits. 3. Discover the influences shaping his impactful career. 4. Explore the untold stories behind the artist. 5. Connect deeply with the emotional resonance of his music. 6. Witness the evolution of a small-town dreamer to a cultural icon. 7. Uncover the struggles that shaped his authenticity and resilience. 8. Gain inspiration from his unwavering commitment to his craft. 9. Explore the impact of his music beyond the charts. 10. Connect with the heartfelt stories that define his artistry.

A look at today's hottest country music stars by geographical region visits the places in the country that influenced such singers as Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, and others. Original.

Immediately upon publication in 1998, the Encyclopedia of Country Music became a much-loved reference source, prized for the wealth of information it contained on that most American of musical genres. Countless fans have used it as the source for answers to questions about everything from country's first commercially successful recording, to the genre's pioneering music videos, to what conjunto music is. This thoroughly revised new edition includes more than 1,200 A-Z entries covering nine decades of history and artistry, from the Carter Family recordings of the 1920s to the reign of Taylor Swift in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Compiled by a team of experts at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the encyclopedia has been brought completely up-to-date, with new entries on the artists who have profoundly influenced country music in recent years, such as the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban. The new edition also explores the latest and most critical trends within the industry, shedding light on such topics as the digital revolution, the shifting politics of country music, and the impact of American Idol (reflected in the stardom of Carrie Underwood). Other essays cover the literature of country music, the importance of Nashville as a music center, and the colorful outfits that have long been a staple of the genre. The volume features hundreds of images, including a photo essay of album covers; a foreword by country music superstar Vince Gill (the winner of twenty Grammy Awards); and twelve fascinating appendices, ranging from lists of awards to the best-selling country albums of all time. Winner of the Best Reference Award from the Popular Culture Association "Any serious country music fan will treasure this authoritative book." --The Seattle Times "A long-awaited, major accomplishment, which educators, historians and students, broadcasters and music writers, artists and fans alike, will welcome and enjoy." --The Nashville Musician "Should prove a valuable resource to those who work in the country music business. But it's also an entertaining read for the music's true fans." --Houston Chronicle "This big, handsome volume spans the history of country music, listing not only artists and groups but also important individuals and institutions." --San Francisco Examiner "Promises to be the definitive historical and biographical work on the past eight decades of country music. Well written and heavily illustratedan unparalleled work, worth its price and highly recommended." --Library Journal

In this book based on new interviews, some of country music's greatest stars share personal moments of redemption, inspiration, and heartache related to the music that shaped their lives. Brenda Lee explains how her childhood singing gift raised her entire family out of dire poverty, and Pat Boone speaks about the spiritual influence of his father-in-law, Red Foley. Barbara Pittman talks about her childhood friendship with Elvis Presley, while Little Jimmy Dickens divulges how Hank Williams came to write a song for him and why he never recorded it. Mickey Gilley talks about gladly living in, then gladly escaping, the shadow of his cousin Jerry Lee Lewis, and Hank Thompson reveals how his background in electrical engineering helped revolutionize country music. More stories from Glen Campbell, Don Williams, Johnny Legend, Chris Hillman, and many others explain the inspiration and effect of country music in their lives.