International Country Music Day is an unofficial holiday that falls on the 17th of September and is used as a day to commemorate one of the most popular genres in the world: country music. This day was first founded in 2003 and has been faithfully observed ever since. It was conceived as a way to bring not only fans together with one another but also to bring together fans and their favorite musicians. It’s a day for people to play their favorite country songs or visit one of the many country concerts or music parties that are held on this day.

The History of International Country Music Day

International Country Music Day was officially created in 2003 to bring together fans of country music with some of the popular country music artists at the time. Ever since its founding, this holiday has continued to grow in size and scope and is now actively enjoyed by millions of people all around the world. It’s a great way for people to share their love of country music or to listen to artists they haven’t previously been exposed to.

Facts About Country Music

Country music is a storied genre with years of history behind it, so we feel that it could use just a little bit more of the spotlight shone on it. And we’re going to do that by listing some facts about this music genre in an easy-to-digest format that everyone can appreciate. Let’s get started.

• Country music arose from a blending of folk music, Irish fiddle music, African-American blues, English ballads, and cowboy folk songs.
• Bristol, Tennessee, is considered by many to be the birthplace of country music because it’s there that Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family were initially recorded.
• By the end of the 1920s, the Carter family had sold more than 300,000 country music records.
• The Carters’ biggest hits were “Poor Orphan Child” and “The Storms Are on the Ocean.”
• The Grand Ole Opry began in 1925.
• During the 1930s, modern country and jazz were fused with Celtic fiddle styles and “lonesome” vocals to create a country subgenre known as “Bluegrass.”
• Hank Williams is known for songs such as “Hey, Good Lookin'” and “I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry.”
• Hank Williams’ greatest hit, “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” was recorded in September of 1952.

Observing International Country Music Day

The best way to observe this holiday is by connecting with other fans of this genre—either in person or online using the hashtag #InternationalCountryMusicDay on your social media accounts. Another way to celebrate this holiday is by attending one of the concerts, fairs, or events that are thrown in observance of this holiday. And finally, if you’re a person who has never listened to country music, then this holiday might be the day on which you give it a shot.