Rulers of Country Music

12" Wooden Ruler made in U.S.A. of American-grown basswood. American Country Music is a genre of popular music that has its roots in Appalachian folk music, Western cowboy music, the folk music of Northern Mexico, and the blues. Both Appalachian and Western music are derived from the folk music of England, Ireland, and Scotland. It is a rich mix. The earliest protagonists of this genre came from Eastern Tennessee, particularly the Carter Family and Roy Acuff. A few years later we also see country music coming from further west, represented on our ruler by the “singing cowboys” Gene Autry and Bob Wills, both originally from Texas. The "traditional" country music that followed, especially that of Hank Williams, would have widespread influence on the pioneers of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Nashville became the center of Country Music by the mid-1950’s, with Patsy Cline its biggest early star. The best-known African-American country star would have to be Charley Pride. During the peak years of his rec