The history of country music starts in the early 1920’s; when the first recording of “country music” was done in 1922, by fiddler A.C. Robertson. However; according to Roughstock the most important date in the history of country music is August 1, 1927 which is the day the first contracts were signed with Victor Records in Bristol, Tennessee by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Jimmie Rodgers is now known as the “Father of Country Music,” while the Carter Family has earned the name of "The First Family of Country Music." http://www.roughstock.com/history/the-beginnings

Roughstock reports there are nine different sounds to country music they are; The Grand Ole Opry, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Cowboy Music, Honky Tonk Music, The Nashville Sound, Outlaw Country, Urban Cowboy and New Country.http://www.roughstock.com/history/

The Grand Ole Opry which was first broadcast in 1925 on WSM Radio from Nashville, Tennessee. To this day The Grand Ole Opry continues to broadcast live every Saturday night, and it remains the greatest ambition of country music stars to one day be on the show. Roy Acuff also known as “The King of Country Music” brought professionalism to the opry and the show. Acuff became the first living inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962. He made his first appearance on the opry in 1938 and continued making appearances until his death November 23, 1992.http://www.roughstock.com/history/acuff-and-the-grand-ole-opry

Western Swing developed in the 1920’s and 1930’s and can be defined simply as a mix of big band, blues, Dixieland, jazz and other genres. Western Swing brought along with it the use of drums and the steel guitar. Originally called western music the name changed after Duke Ellington recorded It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)http://www.roughstock.com/history/western-swing

Bluegrass is a mixture of ballads and dance music brought over with immigrants from Ireland, Scotland and England, along with the gospel music and blues of African Americans. African Americans are credited for the introduction of the banjo which is one instrument that is known in the sound of Bluegrass.http://www.ibma.org/about.bluegrass/history/index.asp

Cowboy Music comes from the music from artists such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers, some say they put the word western in Country and Western Music. Roy Rogers came to be known as the "King of the Cowboys" and was given the honor of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Gene Autry was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969 and is considered the most successful singing cowboy.http://www.roughstock.com/history/cowboy-music<ref>

Honky Tonk Music is reportedly the style that has had the biggest influence on today’s artists of country music. Honky Tonk is that style that mixes dance with drinking and loving and losing. Hank Williams Senior is the one artist that stands out when talking about this type of country music. His appearance on the Grand Ole Opry June 11, 1949]] when he performed Lovesick Blues stands out in the memory of all who have seen or heard it to this day.<ref>http://www.roughstock.com/history/honky-tonk-music

The Nashville Sound is a mixture of 1950’s pop and country. Patsy Cline is one of three artists that were involved in making this type of music popular. Cline became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1961, her career continued to prosper throughout the early years of the 1960’s. It all came to a tragic end when on March 5 1963 she was killed in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. In 1973 she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.http://www.roughstock.com/history/the-nashville-sound

Outlaw Country primarily comes of a group of four men that called themselves The Outlaws. These four men were Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.http://www.roughstock.com/history/outlaw-country

Urban Cowboy began the crossover from country music to pop in the early 1980’s with songs like Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton and Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys. John Conlee is reportedly one of the biggest crossover stars of this time with songs like Rose Colored Glasses and Common Man.http://www.roughstock.com/history/urban-cowboy

New Country is the final style of country music to date; it is the accomplished sound of the crossover into pop music. Reportedly the most accomplished country star for this style is Garth Brooks with songs like The Thunder Rolls, Standing Outside The Fire and The Dance.http://www.roughstock.com/history/garth-and-new-country