| If you are just starting out listening to Country Music, | | | | Dolly Parton |
| you may not know where to start, or who to listen | | | | Love her or hate her, Dolly should be listened to, if |
| to, choose the wrong artist and risk being put off | | | | only to decide where you stand on the love/hate |
| country forever. And with the diverse genre that is | | | | border, she is after all one of the most successful |
| Country Music, it's best to start with the best. So | | | | female Country artist of all time. With 25 number one |
| here's a list of some essential c. music to aid a | | | | hits and she wrote "I will always love you," which |
| smooth initiation into the country genre. Enjoy. | | | | was covered by Whitney Houston," With the |
| Hank Williams | | | | success she has managed and the songs she has |
| Start with a bit of traditional. Country how you would | | | | written, Dolly Parton will always be remembered, for |
| expect it to be - Hank Williams: Hank is considered to | | | | better or for worse. |
| be the backbone of country and the pioneer of | | | | The Carter Family |
| Honky-tonk a subgenre of country. Hank was born | | | | The Carter Family were early pioneers and the first |
| Hiram King in 1923 and tragically died in 1953 at just | | | | proper Country vocal group; they recorded in the |
| 29. He recorded greats such as "Your Cheatin' Heart," | | | | late 1920's up until the late 1950's. Much of their music |
| and "Hey Good Looking," he had 11 number 1 hits and | | | | has been covered by other Country and non Country |
| his influence on this genre was widespread and is still | | | | artists, and they wrote the well known "Keeping on |
| felt even today. | | | | the Sunny Side," for their influence on the world of |
| Johnny Cash | | | | Country they will always be remembered, and are |
| Johnny Cash was a well known and well loved | | | | essential listening for those who are complete |
| country music artist, his work is frequently seen to | | | | beginners this. |
| be very commercial in comparison to some other | | | | Once traditional Country Music, such as these listed |
| singers and he managed to live a long and lucrative | | | | here, have been explored, then modern is likely to |
| career. His work has spanned many other genres, | | | | tempt you. The world of modern C. Music is wide and |
| perhaps with some controversy for those who | | | | varied, with sub genres leading off into the pop |
| prefer 'pure country', but with success in rock and | | | | world, so it can take some time to find what you |
| roll, blues and even gospel, he truly must be | | | | like, don't be put off however by one or two artists |
| considered a multi-talented artist. There is a great | | | | that you don't like or find annoying, because just like |
| sense of grief and redemption in his songs and with | | | | in any genre of music, there are many more artists |
| hits such as "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire" under | | | | to explore. |
| his belt, Johnny Cash is likely to never be forgotten. | | | | |