Music Banter - Is American Country Music really a big deal outside of the U.S.?

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Is American Country Music really a big deal outside of the U.S.?

Howdy y'all!
As the owner and program director of an online radio station, I find it curious at our huge International listeners base.

How popular is classic and mainstream American Country outside of the continental U.S?

What are your thoughts?

If American country is big outside the US (not counting **** like Toby Keith), I'm going to assume it's because Europe has become more culturally homogenized than the US has been, being a giant land mass without the same buildup. All you need for country/folk music to flourish is country folk to make it. America is big, countrified, and has had only a few hundred years to build up an entire continent.

Appreciate that perspective....makes sense. And no Luke Bryan zone here!

Both American Folk music and Country music has roots from the British Isles, Scandinavia and Europe. Well for who influences who (is Europe influence by American Country or vice a versa), I would say there is a bit back and forth. There are some influence I don't know much about the music scene in Europe.I've came across an Austrian Country singer, so there must be some Country fans there. Benny Andersson from Abba has an orchrestra, BAO. The band does song that I would consider sounding like American Country music but not with as a typical guitar band. I thinkthe music of BAO probably be considered as Schlager and Folk. Then there is First Aid Kit which has a nice old time Country style to them.

Will need to look them up! Sounds Interesting

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan (Post 1668343)

Of course it all comes down to Abba with you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Crossroads (Post 1668345)

Will need to look them up! Sounds Interesting

If you wanna check out American country that isn't just pop nonsense, then I will always suggest Townes Van Zandt, the absolute master of old school folk country. I don't even listen to much country, but Townes transcends taste.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord (Post 1668353)

Of course it all comes down to Abba with you.

My recommendation was Benny Anderssons Orkester not ABBA. Found them trying to figure out the difference between BoA and Bôa. A simple typographical error lead me to this wonderful band.

BAO & Helen Sjöholm - Du Är Min Man (Live Allsång På Skansen 2008)

Country music is actually rather popular over in China. I actually don't know why that is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSymmetry (Post 1670606)

Country music is actually rather popular over in China. I actually don't know why that is.

Believe it or not... yodeling is very popular in Korea - as amazing as that might sound.