Everyone loves listening to music, whether they are happy or sad. People dance to hip-hop tunes and sing along love songs. There are not one or a dozen but hundreds of different genres of music. Some of the popular music styles are rock, pop, dance, indie, blues, country, hip-hop, folk, and electronic.

What is Country Music, and why is it so Popular?

A music genre that first originated from the southern and western states of the United States is commonly known as ‘country music.’ However, music played in rural parts of the world is called country music. There is a heavy influence of folk and blues on ‘country music, and it is evident as most songs include light instrumentation of guitar, banjos, fiddles, and drums.

The emphasis in the country songs is mostly on the vocals along with acoustic instruments such as guitars, violin, harmonica, and banjo. Some of the contemporary country music artists are

  • Johnny Cash

  • Tim McGraw

  • Garth Brooks

  • Brad Paisley

  • Taylor Swift

  • Patsy Cline

  • Carrie Underwood

  • Keith Urban

  • Sam Hunt

The cowboys in the west were the first to sing melodic tunes while on campfires or out on cattle drives. Later, the style of songs was named ‘folk music. Country music was popular not only in the US but across the continent in the UK as well. Many radio stations play country music 24/7.

The Role of Radio Show in Promoting Country Music

Country music has a happy vibe to it, and you can dance, laugh, and sing along with it. Surveys report that country music album sales were estimated at $1.9 in 2017 in the UK. There are numerous live gigs and music festivals that are increasing the listenership of country music.

The trend of country music radio shows UK is another indication of growing country music popularity among music enthusiasts. Radio stations are a favorite medium for music fans to listen to and discover country music. The trend of listening from conventional radios is not common anymore, but many adults still prefer tuning in to a radio.

The modern form is digital or online radio which you can connect through a smartphone and stable internet connection. A few decades back, many country music artists relied on radio appearances to play and promote their music. In recent years the digital music streaming service is bringing back that trend.

Today, many young and even adults tune in to digital radio and listen to their favorite genre or music artists. The country music radio shows include a wide range of segments, from playing the classic country songs to new chart-toppers.

One major segment was inviting country singers and asking for a live session. However, due to Covid-19, most upcoming country music artists are requested to join online through a digital platform. The fans and listeners can also participate in the live program and ask questions or request songs.

There are some new digital music streaming platforms that allow upcoming country music artists to perform a live gig. The live performance is vital for young musicians to showcase their talent and inspire people with their songs. Online radio reaches a wide audience, and data is quite valuable in compiling top music charts for country music.

What is Folk Music?

You may come across many individuals who have a favorite genre they like to listen to. Some may like dance and hip-hop songs, while some may want to hear rock music. But one genre that is not much talked about and considered music for adults is ‘folk music.’

The common elements of folk music are soft and melodic tunes. The folk genre is rural and traditional music passed from one generation to the next. The folk songs mostly depict ancient folklores and contemporary stories from the past. The classic folk music was all about Irish, Scottish, and Appalachian ballads.

There is a certain nostalgic feel and legacy in folk songs that are not common in other genres of music. Folk music itself includes different other styles of music such as patriotic, cultural, and spiritual. Traditional folk music consists of many unknown artists and musicians, but the work has been passed down for generations. On the other hand, modern folk music talks about social, cultural, and political changes and how people can relate to them.

Where can one listen to Folk Music?

Folk songs usually have simple, memorable lyrics, and music also consists of easy instrumentation of guitars, drums, and pianos. Suppose you are passionate about music and want to discover folk music, then one of the best sources is radio. The folk music radio shows the UK is the best to listen to folk songs that teach us a lot about history and culture.

The beauty of folk music is that folk songs from one country may sound entirely different from that of another country. The folk genre is widening and now includes a distinct range from indie folk to indie atmos. Folk artists and bands mostly play at modest-sized festivals and events. But music streaming platforms can allow folk artists to perform for a wider audience.

The music streaming service has various options within its network, and one such is an online radio service. The airtime that folk music is getting nowadays will help this genre to become more popular and acceptable to a wider audience. The radio stations that play folk music are few. But digital radio and streaming services are making an effort to let people know about folk music.

Conclusion

We live in a time where digital technology and information significantly influence most of our likes and dislikes. When it comes to music, there are many genres that people do not know about. However, digital music streaming networks are playing their part in promoting both known and forgotten music styles. Jam24 Global is one such digital platform that is acting as a bridge between music artists and fans. The online music network consists of live concerts, gigs, and digital radio that promotes new artists and songs.

You can hear most of the music streaming services for free, and for some, you can subscribe and listen to exclusive content. The best thing is that you can hear country and folk radio shows on your smartphone, whether at home or traveling from one place to another.