INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY

INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY - Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Music

International Country Music Day, September 17, is a day of festivals, concerts, dances, and all kinds of other events that celebrate country music, to honor this distinctly American genre.

Today is about the music. It’s popular to joke about country songs being all about losing your dog, your truck, your job, and your girlfriend, but in reality, the breadth and depth of the genre offer something for everyone, from Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin’,” to “New Country” songs like Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup.” On International Country Music Day, dip into the wellspring and take a sip.

Country music is one of the most popular types of music in the world and this special type of music originated in the USA. International Country Music Day was established in the 1950s and is held each year on September 17th. On this special day, country music festivals are held at various venues around the world. Lovers of country music gather to listen to live music acts while drinking and dancing. Line dancing is popular during International Country Music Day and competitions are often held to determine the best dancers.

Learn about International Country Music Day

International Country Music Day is a day that has been designed so that we can pay tribute to some of the world’s best country artists. Whether you are a huge fan of the genre or not, you are encouraged to listen to some country music on this date. You could even break out the fiddle or banjo and get involved yourself.

Country music, which can sometimes be referred to as country and western, is a form of music that has been popular for many years now. Its roots come from old-time music and blues, as well as a number of different types of American folk music. This includes Tejano, Texas country, New Mexico country, Red Dirt country, Cajun, and Appalachian. Country music tends to consist of both dance tunes and ballads, which have harmonies, folk lyrics, and simple forms. 

History of International Country Music Day

International Country Music Day has been going strong since 2003. It was created as a day so that fans of country music and country music artists were brought together. The date was chosen because it is also the birthday of Hank Williams, who is one of the most famous and influential country music artists. 

Hank Williams was born on the 17th of September in 1923, and he died 29 years later. He is deemed one of the most influential and significant American songwriters and singers of the 20th century. Although he was taken from the world too soon, his impact was undeniable. He recorded 35 singles, with all of them reaching the top ten in the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart. In fact, 11 of them hit the top spot. Many people deem him the King of Country Music. So, what better way to celebrate International Country Music Day than to listen to some of his most songs? This includes the likes of Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hey, Good Looking, Why Don’t You Love Me, and Lovesick Blues. 

How to celebrate International Country Music Day

This is a vibrant event that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In order to fully embrace the fun of International Country Music Day, it is important to look the part. Dress to impress in a pair of jeans or denim skirt teamed with a gingham shirt and, of course, a pair of cowboy boots and a cowboy hat to complete the look.

If you are not a massive fan of country music, International Country Music Day is the perfect opportunity for you to find out more about this genre of music. There are some truly incredible country artists, and with YouTube and music listening apps available today, it is easier than ever before to listen to some of their creations. Some of the best artists to start your country music listening experience with include Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Dolly Parton. You may want to listen to some of the more modern-day country music stars, such as Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, or Shania Twain. 

Another way to celebrate International Country Music Day is to learn a country music instrument. There are many different types of instruments that are used in country music. This includes the acoustic guitar, fiddle, drums, dobro, bass, banjo, and autoharp. The accordion and harmonica are also widely used. We’re sure the guitar may be one of the first instruments that spring to mind for many people reading this. You can probably envision someone on the stage, with their cowboy hat and boots, and a guitar in hand. 

The good news is that you can find online music lessons for any instrument today, so you should have no problem learning the instrument of your choice. The best way to find a good website for online learning is to read reviews that have been left, both by previous users as well as experts in the music industry. This will give you a great insight into the website and whether it is right for you. Needless to say, if you come across a lot of negative comments, you know it is not worth checking out.

The next thing you need to look at is the way the lessons are presented. Are they in written format? Or, are demonstration videos available? A lot of people prefer the latter as it gives them the ability to see how the instrument should be played visually. You will also want to make sure that there is plenty of learning material available so that you never get bored or run out of lessons to enjoy. You should also look for a website that is fun and keeps you motivated. Finally, value for money is a must. There are free resources available, but you will probably need to pay if you want something that has everything you need to learn the instrument in question effectively.

It is also worth doing a quick search online to see if there are any events that are going on in your area on International Country Music Day. You will often find that there are a number of festivals that take place on this date around the world. Plus, a lot of restaurants and clubs will pay tribute to country music with a special setlist. If you can’t find a country music event going on in your area, why not host your own party for family and friends?

There are also a number of great movies that we would suggest watching on International Country Music Day if you are looking for more of a laidback way to celebrate this day. This includes Coal Miner’s Daughter, which is a film about one of the world’s most loved country singers and songwriters; Loretta Lynn. Another great film to watch is Tender Mercies.

This film is not based on anyone famous. Instead, it is about a character called Mac Sledge, who is played by Robert Duvall. Mac is a recovering albeit washed-up alcoholic and country singer who wants to make a new start in a small town in Texas. The film truly is a spectacular one, with Duvall winning a Best Actor award at the 1984 Academy Awards for his performance. Other films that are worth a mention include Honkytonk Man, Crazy Heart, Pure Country, Honeysuckle Rose, Walk the Line, Songwriter, The Thing Called Love, and Songcatcher. So, get the popcorn in, and spend the day binging on the best country music-inspired films from over the years!

History of INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY

Though International Country Music Day has only been a worldwide phenomenon since 2003, country music itself evolved during the 1920s in the U.S. The music form is the result of a mix of Delta blues, Appalachian folk, Cajun music, Creole Zydeco, and others. Today, people often think of the genre as “Old Country,” which has been wildly popular since the 1950s.

Artists during this golden period such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and of course Hank Williams, gave fans unforgettable stories and glimpses into the struggles of a hardscrabble life. Speaking of Hank Williams, the day chosen for this holiday, September 17, is Williams’ birthday. It’s easy to guess the country music icon left a wealth of quality country songs as his legacy, such as “Cold Cold Heart” and “Lost Highway.”

As a matter of fact, all 35 of the singles Williams recorded made the top ten on the Billboard Country & Western Bestsellers chart, with 11 of them reaching the number one spot. Mention the phrase country music, and don’t be surprised if the name Hank Williams is in the first sentence of the response. We believe he’d be honored at the association of his birth date with International Country Music Day.

New country, on the other hand, is a subgenre represented by a similarly talented pool of singers and songwriters, including Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and many more, with a younger generation of country musicians taking up the mantle more and more as time goes by. Country music shows no signs of slowing down or going away, so take International Country Music Day as a chance to discover why so many people around the world love country music.

INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY timeline

2017

Hard to knockdown

Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” spends 34 weeks at number one on the country charts.

2003

Synchronicity

The first official International Country Music Day is kicked off, coordinating hundreds of concerts and festivals worldwide to occur on the same day, September 17.

1963

Can you name three other songs by him?

Johnny Cash records “Ring of Fire,” capturing the attention of a huge number of radio listeners who may not have ventured into the world of country music.

1923

Birth of a legend

Hank Williams is born, eventually to personify country music for millions of fans.

INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY FAQs

Is country music popular outside the US?

While the bulk of country listening takes place in the U.S., there has been a 21 percent increase in the share of country music streaming outside America since 2015.

What does country music represent?

Country music is defined as “a style and genre of largely string-accompanied American popular music having roots in the folk music of the Southeast and cowboy music of the West, usually vocalized, generally simple in form and harmony, and typified by romantic or melancholy ballads accompanied by acoustic or electric.

Outside the States, where is country music the most popular?

Perhaps partly because of the shared language, the U.K, Australia, and Canada boast the largest numbers of faithful country music fans outside the U.S.

5 Amazing Facts About Johnny Cash

  1. Put it on “shuffle”

    Asked what albums he’d have with him if stranded on a desert island, Cash listed a roster that includes Emmylou Harris, Beethoven, and Bob Dylan.

  2. Lucky seven?

    Despite having been arrested a total of seven times — some of them on drug charges — Cash only ever spent one night behind bars.

  3. An apt alias

    Before reaching his fame, Cash only ever went by the first name “J.R.” with the initials remaining ambiguous in terms of what they stood for, and only adopted the name “John” when an Air Force recruiter would not accept initials for a first name.

  4. “You may now kiss …”

    In the 1970s, Cash spent two years studying divinity and became an ordained minister in time to preside over his daughter’s marriage.

  5. Not just a songwriter

    In 1986, Cash published a novel called “Man In White,” a fictional account of a period in the life of the apostle Paul.

INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY Activities

  1. Attend a concert or festival

    After 2020’s pandemic, you’ll once again be able to join the crowd at a country music performance, have an adult beverage, and give line dancing a shot. If you want to get to the heart of country music and really experience it first-hand, a trip to Nashville, Tennessee — considered the epicenter of country music — wouldn’t be a bad idea.

  2. Pick up a musical instrument

    There are many to choose from other than the usual guitar. Decide to learn a new skill and try out the fiddle, the dobro, the steel guitar, the banjo, the harmonica — the list goes on. There’s no better way to show you love country music than to play some yourself.

  3. Listen at home

    If you’re like us, the accessibility of all types of music at a click is one of our favorite reasons to love the internet. On International Country Music Day, go on a surfing journey and listen to the old country standards and the new country hits. If you’re normally a listener of “everything except country,” make an exception. We’ll bet you do find something you like.

Why We Love INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC DAY

  1. Lots of country songs are fun and funny

    Stories are indeed at the heart of country songs, but not all of them are about heartbreak. Take a look at the song “Ticks” by Brad Paisley. “I’d like to see you out in the moonlight / I’d like to kiss you way back in the sticks / I’d like to walk you through a field of wildflowers / And I’d like to check you for ticks.” And that’s just one example. Listened to with an open mind, country music can often make you smile.

  2. There’s nothing like a live concert

    You can be the owner of an artist’s entire discography and have a dozen songs memorized to sing along with, but to truly experience a country musician’s personality and heart, at least one live concert is de rigeur. We love to feel that electric charge in the air!

  3. It’s truly American

    The U.S. may have the right to claim that rock and roll originated within its borders, but country & western, also quintessentially American, predates rock by some twenty years. To celebrate country music is to celebrate American history.

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