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Music / Genres / Country

Genre

Country music

Country music spans from blues and gospel to American folk and western swing. Think ballads and banjos! Discover our high-quality, diverse catalog. Filter by mood, vocals, length, or BPM to find the perfect country track. Always protected against copyright claims with a subscription.

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  • What is country music?

    Country music is a genre rooted in the folk and roots traditions of the American South, built around storytelling lyrics and guitar, banjo, and fiddle-driven instrumentation. It spans a wide stylistic range, from traditional acoustic ballads to modern country-pop and country rock, but consistently centers on melody, twang, and narrative songwriting about everyday life.

  • Where did country music originate?

    Country music originated in the southern Appalachian region of the United States, particularly eastern Tennessee and southwest Virginia, in the late 1920s. It grew out of a mix of African American musical traditions, European English, Scottish, and Irish folk songs, and Celtic fiddle music, later absorbing blues and jazz influences as the genre spread commercially.

  • What instruments are used in country music?

    Classic country instrumentation centers on acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, and upright or electric bass, often joined by pedal steel or lap steel guitar for the genre's signature twang. Modern productions frequently add drums, keyboards, and mandolin, especially in country-pop and country rock styles.

  • What kind of country music is available for royalty-free use?

    Epidemic Sound's royalty-free country catalog spans traditional and modern styles, including Americana, Bluegrass, Contemporary Country, Country Pop, and Country Rock. Filter by mood, vocals, length, or BPM to match a track to your project, from classic acoustic ballads to upbeat, radio-ready country-pop.

  • How can I ensure my use of royalty-free country music is legal and cleared for commercial use?

    An Epidemic Sound subscription clears every country track in the catalog for commercial use, including monetized platforms like YouTube. Tracks stay cleared for content published while your subscription is active, even after you cancel, so there's no separate rights clearance or royalty payment to arrange.

  • What is the difference between country and Americana music?

    The main difference is scope. Country is the broader genre, encompassing overlapping styles like Americana, bluegrass, and country pop under one umbrella. Americana is a specific subgenre within country music that blends traditional country, folk, and roots-rock instrumentation for a more organic, singer-songwriter feel.

    If you're after that raw, storytelling, roots-rock character rather than country's broader range, browse our Americana tracks.