Country music, originating in the Southern United States, blends British folk traditions with African-American, Mexican, and Hawaiian influences, typically featuring instruments like banjos, fiddles, and steel guitars. Originally known as "hillbilly music," the genre gained mainstream popularity in the 1920s with the advent of radio, highlighted by the launch of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1925. The historic Bristol recording sessions of 1927 in Tennessee are officially recognized as the genre's "birthplace," cementing the region's foundational role. After evolving through cowboy ballads and blues, the genre has seen a recent revitalization, with 45% of Americans reporting listening to it in 2023. This enduring appeal keeps it a vital part of the American music scene, blending traditional harmonies with modern production.