Country Gospel Folk

tagStarted 1920sPeak 1927–1965Last big hit still active

Located in 2 routes

Folk / Americana / Roots → Country-Folk / Alt-Country / Roots Country Folk / Americana / Roots → Gospel / Sacred Roots

Country gospel folk carries sacred lyrics through rural string-band sonics: acoustic guitar, autoharp, mandolin, fiddle, close family harmony, and a plain devotional delivery.

History

The style formed at the crossroads of Southern hymnody, mountain gospel, shape-note practice, early country, and folk repertory.

Defining artists

The Carter FamilySpotify YouTube
The Louvin BrothersSpotify YouTube
Ralph StanleySpotify YouTube
Johnny CashSpotify YouTube
Doc WatsonSpotify YouTube
Emmylou HarrisSpotify YouTube

Essential listening

Keep on the Sunny Side — The Carter FamilySpotify YouTube
Satan Is Real — The Louvin BrothersSpotify YouTube
Angel Band — Ralph StanleySpotify YouTube
The Old Account — Johnny CashSpotify YouTube
I Am a Pilgrim — Doc WatsonSpotify YouTube
Farther Along — Emmylou HarrisSpotify YouTube

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Sources

Britannica
Library of Congress
Smithsonian Folkways
PBS/AMA. citeturn6search22turn5search5turn11search17