Country music was developed in rural southern Appalachia. Country music's roots include old time, bluegrass, gospel, folk and Celtic music.

As country music became popular, a large music industry was developed and much of it was concentrated in the city of Nashville (Tennessee). Nashville productions became very elaborate. In the 1970s and 1980s, producers added pop and rock elements. By the 1990s, most country music produced in Nashville was essentially pop music.

Country music is sometimes called Country and Western, although some critics and musicians consider Western a separate style.

Other world music genres