The New Generation of Country Music Stars : Biographies of 50 Artists Born After 1940

This book highlights 50 of the most important entertainers in contemporary country music, providing a brief biography of each artist with special emphasis on experiences that influenced their musical careers. The artists are divided into five categories: "The New Traditionalists" (artists such as George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Clint Black who established the mainstream country sound in the 1980s); "Alternative Country" (artists such as Steve Earle and Bela Fleck who made country music on their own terms); "Groups" (ensemble acts such as Alabama, the Dixie Chicks, and Rascal Flatts that have carried on the traditions of the Carter Family and other prominent groups of the 1920s and 1930s); "Country-Pop" (artists such as Garth Brooks and Shania Twain who firmly established the "countrypolitan" sound as the cash cow of Nashville); and "New Country" (the next generation of country-pop artists, with particular attention paid to international megastars such as Keith Urban, and teen sensations, including LeAnn Rimes and Taylor Swift). This Book Features Biographies Of 50 Country Music Artists Who Have Kept The Tradition Of The Genre Alive In A Contemporary Setting. Chapters Cover The New Traditionalists, Alternative Country, Country-pop, And New Country--provided By Publisher. Part One: The New Traditionalists. George Strait -- Ricky Skaggs -- Reba Mcentire -- Keith Whitley -- Vince Gill -- Alan Jackson -- Randy Travis -- Toby Keith -- Clint Black -- Travis Tritt. Part Two: Alternative Country: Jimmie Dale Gillmore -- Emmylou Harris -- Joe Ely -- Hank Williams, Jr. -- Steve Earle -- Dwight Yoakam -- Lyle Lovette -- Mary Chapin Carpenter -- Béla Fleck -- K.d. Lang. Part Three: Groups. Asleep At The Wheel -- Alabama -- The Judds -- The Mavericks -- Dixie Chicks -- Brooks & Dunn -- Rascal Flatts -- Sugarland. Part Four: Country-pop. Tammy Wynette -- Ronnie Milsap -- Dolly Parton -- Barbara Mandrell -- Crystal Gayle -- Tanya Tucker -- Garth Brooks -- Trisha Yearwood -- Shania Twain -- Martina Mcbride -- Tim Mcgraw -- Faith Hill. Part Five: Contemporary Country. Keith Urban -- Kenny Chesney -- Terri Clark -- Jo Dee Messina -- Alison Krauss -- Leann Rimes -- Carrie Underwood -- Miranda Lambert -- Catherine Britt -- Taylor Swift. David Dicaire. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 251-253) And Index. Includes Discographies. Focuses on 50 of the most important entertainers in contemporary country music, providing a brief biography of each artist with special emphasis on experiences that influenced their musical careers.