The Golden Age of Country Music

Singer-songwriters of country's golden age are still celebrated today, being the most widely covered songs in the business. Madame Tussauds Hollywood set with country music legends (L) Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash. Rachel Murray/Getty Images

While country music of the 1940s was known for its honky-tonk ditties perfect for two-stepping, the 1950s ushered in a more polished, story-driven approach to the genre. This transformation paved the way for a new kind of country, a style focused on relatable, poignant cowboy tales and classic romance pieces. The genre’s modernized songwriting focus and updated production brought it into the mainstream.

The Honky-Tonk Craze

Hank Williams publicity photo for WSM Radio in Nashville, 1951. Public Domain