Country music history has its roots in the folk and traditional music played by the first colonists to reach America.The British sang songs about the supernatural and hard times.Their music became entwined with folk music from the New World,which cut down on the violent themes and lyrics that were typical of British folk songs.Gospel and spiritual music from the South helped to influence country,as did the folk music of Irish immigrants in the 19th century.Country music was mostly played and sung in the rural heartland of America until the late part of the 20th century.
