The Wide and Changing World of Musical Genres
As the music business transformed over the past 15 years, recorded music became more pervasive and available through the global reach of digital media. No matter where you are on the planet, you can access millions of songs if you have a decent computer and an Internet connection. Streaming services have dedicated channels for very specific styles of music. And that means listeners can enjoy wide exposure to many different genres: pop, rock, rhythm & blues, folk, country, jazz, electronic, classical, ethnic and so on.
The result of this omnipresence and variety is an opportunity for individuals to immerse themselves in a veritable sonic ocean of whatever music they like, be it one particular style or many. Most of the aforementioned musical genres have long been relegated to compartmentalized labels or corporate divisions and broadcast over specific-format radio stations. For decades, Nashville, Tennessee has served as country music's Mecca, where musicians, producers, talent scouts and labels are based with the purpose of creating whatever sound constitutes country music at the time. And the results were and are played on country radio. But the times change, and the cross-breeding of genres -- an ongoing fact of popular music -- might be more widespread than ever due to the lightning-fast diffusion provided by the Web.
Contemporary country music is frequently infused with pop and rock strains. In fact, the swaggering sound of certain modern male country singers seems to be heavily influenced by the Los Angeles-spawned country-rock of the 1970s -- such as the music of the Eagles, which was a melding of styles itself. And the balladry of so-called country performers like Taylor Swift suggests a genuine awareness and affection for confessional folk singer-songwriters of the past.
When Swift turns around after becoming a country music chart-topper and award-winner and has a massive mainstream pop hit with the infectious electro-dance beats of "Shake It Off," she's just doing what comes naturally to many music fans today. In a world with near-countless options to hear songs via digital audio, you can still be a purist, and fixate on, say, '50s-type rockabilly as your personal soundtrack. Or you can embrace, mix or match any and all genres you like.
