This week we are donning our stetsons and grabbing a cold one, as we discuss the most rootin’ tootin’ American music genre of them all. From Dolly Parton to Taylor Swift with a little bit of Footloose, country has come to epitomise the US, but as the genre’s popularity booms internationally, does its Americanness still endure? So in this episode I’m asking… what makes country music so American? ... Special guest for this episode: John Collins, Head of Radio Operations at CountryLine Radio and, conveniently a huge fan of both country music and American culture. ... Highlights from this episode: (03:10) A Brit and a Scot talking about country music... (05:07) Breaking down the stigma (08:41) Is country music still a white person genre? (12:20) Earning your country chops (15:43) US vs international appeal of country music (20:06) Southern representations (22:43) The biggest threat to the genre (25:18) How to keep the country in country (28:31) Women empowering women ... Additional Resources: CountryLine Radio The Country Music Association Cowboy Carter by Beyonce  Charley Pride discography Country to Country ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Makes Country Music so American? Are the Oscars Still Relevant? Why Does Everyone Love Disney? Could Friends BE Any Bigger? How Accurate is Forrest Gump? ... Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help: Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated! Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.