Country blues began in the first years of the twentieth century and remained an important genre through the 1940s. It is characterized by haunting melodies that are sung to an accompaniment of acoustic guitar. The genre is very broad based and includes many regional styles that had a strong influence on the country music to follow. Big Bill Broonzy, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Lead Belly are among the genre's most important early figures and John Lee Hooker is the most famous of its artists in modern times.
Genre Guide 2000 · Country