Country and Western Sub-Genres

• Although the majority of the public believe Country and Western to be a very stereotypical Cowboy image, there are deeper more meaningful connotations to the genre.
• Country and Western also breaks down into many influential Sub-Genres, which need to be considered whilst creating an album cover, as they all had great influence on the main Country and Western genre. 

Hillbilly boogie 

• Hillbilly boogie began in 1939, consisting of more 'pop' country music, and including the frequent use of banjo's. The sub-genre started to become incredibly popular, achieving top ten US country chart success. Hillbilly boogie then went on to be named Country boogie, which became a flood in 1945. One notable release from this period was the Delmore Brothers, "Freight Train Boogie," considered to be part of the combined evolution of country music and blues towards rockabilly. The Sub-genre of music lasted in the 1950's and remains one of many sub-genres of Country and Western in the 21st Century.

Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel

• By the end of World War II, "mountaineer" string band music known as bluegrass had emerged when Bill Monroe joined with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, introduced by Roy Acuff at the Grand Ole Opry. Gospel music, too, remained a popular component of country music. Red Foley, the biggest country star following World War II, had one of the first million-selling gospel hits ("Peace In The Valley") and also sang boogie, blues and rockabilly.

• In the post-war period, country music was called "folk" in the trades, and "hillbilly" within the industry. In 1944, The Billboard replaced the term "hillbilly" with "folk songs and blues," and switched to "country" or "country and Western" in 1949. This shows me that I need to be aware that Album Covers previous to 1949, will be considered as "country" rather than the current genre of "country and western."

Honky Tonk

• Another type of stripped down and raw music with a variety of moods and a basic ensemble of guitar, bass, dobro or steel guitar (and later) drums became popular, especially among poor whites in Texas and Oklahoma. It became known as honky tonk and had its roots in Western swing and the ranchera music of Mexico and the border states, particularly Texas, together with the blues of the American South. Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys personified this music. Honky Tonk music was more up-beat and known to be the start of real liberation and freedom regarding the country and western music genre.