It is no secret that in recent decades of country music couple has had problems with identity more than any other genre in the industry of the ITA. At this point, no one can really claim to be a country music fan without being questioned what kind of country fan? The answers are apparently endless IÂ've broken down into a few main categories (but really, there could be many more).

Country Pop

This category may actually be viewed as a "Nashville Country.Â" houses probably about 90% of country music around. We often find people who do not want to admit in conversation that fans theyÂ're this category. They like to talk about how they love Willie Nelson and the mouth of the words to the songs of Merle Haggard, but clearly his ita faking. Then, alone in their cars and rest by driving down the highway, blasting Shania Twain on the radio and singing at the top of their lungs. Let me say, nothing wrong with it, like what you like thereÂ's. Nashville Record Labels selecting talented, often attractive singers who performed with some great bands. They also have some of the top songwriters and composers in the industry working for them.

One criticism I would have against this category … In recent years there has been a rebellion of any kind against music of musicians in Nashville Rebel, both Texas sub categories (see below) with songs praising boos Nashville and veterans. Occasionally, this popularity to profits and become so popular that the land a big contract with a Nashville record company and for some reason everybody is perfectly comfortable with this phenomenon. This is what I will refer to a "Pat Green SyndromeÂ.

Rebel / Rock Country

Very liberals are the ones who tend find in this category. These artists just do whatever they want to do, and therefore there are not many of them, or at least not many of them that remain popular after that their initial shock value is gone. They are usually independent and like letting all hang out. A good example currently in the spotlight is Gretchen Wilson. Others havenÂ't everything came to a level of popularity, but have been around for a while are Ray Wylie Hubbard and Todd Snider.

Sometimes, children in this category derive some of their rebelness of incorporating rock into their music. Good examples of this are Robert Earl Keen and James McMurty (I recommend both).

Texas Country

This category has become something of a cult music, and extends throughout the United States. (Note, this last month there was a massive three-day Texas Music Festival in Colorado). ItÂ's popularity began with the likes of Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker and Gary P. Nunn. What really sent him over the past years was the popularity of Robert Earl Keen, Cory Morrow, Pat Green and Jack Ingram. It performs well in fraternity houses across the Lone Star State. While the types mentioned above have taken off in a different direction, new artists like Max Stalling, Mark David Manders, Ed Burleson and have begun to take its place. If you ever see the development, ita is easy to see that the music industry in Texas is growing so fast that it probably will soon be as big as NashvilleÂ's.

Old Country

If you can sing the words to three or more Willie Nelson, George Jones, Johnny Cash, and songs Please come if you can sing along to Patsy Cline, Charlie Rich, and Hank Williams, please take a seat. If you can croon all night with Bob Wills please leave me a beer, IÂ'm glad we have known. Welcome to the age category of countries, unfortunately many people find it boring here.

Real Old Country

Most of people in this category know Yodel. TheyÂ've probably witnessed someone play the bones, if you know how to play themselves. People in this category refer to them as "folks" and recognize that the roots of country A is derived from popular music. This category requires to enjoy sitting on a porch, sipping iced tea in the middle of summer, while some old plays a "Streets of LaredoÂ" in an old Gibson. Indulging in campfire banjo playing helps as well.

If youÂ're like me, you probably have your favorite category and then, as some things from each. There really is no way to define country music, and thus be a constantly changing industry probably never will be. One thing that does not change however, no matter what category, you can still dust boots and take almost any country song ballroom with you.

Sarah Francis

This article, written by Sarah Francis, was first published at MusicShopper.info [http://www.MusicShopper.info] – a great resource for music lovers. Providing information and resources about music shopping, it also has an extensive range of music reviews, music competitions and giveaways, and a popular discussion forum. It is also an important music reference source with a music website directory of more then 1,000 hand-picked sites listed. MusicShopper forum and newsletters subscribers are entered into monthly draws for Amazon voucher.

Yodeling – Kerry Christensen – Yodeler