Country Music - A Definition?

There has been regular discussion over the years relating to what is and is not 'Country Music', leading to arguments over what is acceptable and unacceptable music for linedancing. Not all of this discussion has been productive with the result that Dancers are beginning to feel unnecessarily forced to choose between two extremes - Country music and Pop music.
How difficult is it to find a definition of 'Country Music' amongst the many books & articles on the subject?
Firstly a general definition followed by three questions.

"If it sounds country, then that's what it is!"

Please consider your answers to the following questions:
1. Is the singer wearing a cowboy hat & boots?
2. Do you hear the word 'country' more than five times in the song?
3. Does the sign above the rack in the music store say 'Country'?
If the answer to all three questions is 'YES' then there is no argument, you are listening to a Country Song.

But it's not as simple as that!!!

Country Music has its origins in the folk and religious music of Europe as America's first immigrants expanded across the new world. As times changed so did the music. By the late 19th Century, stringed instruments such as the banjo from Africa and the guitar from Europe were in regular use during travelling 'Medicine Shows' and particularly the 'minstrel show music' included in the Shows. This established its roots firmly in pure commerce. The 'country' style has been nurtured by commercialism through recording companies and radio stations right up to modern times.
The use of the mandolin and the steel guitar followed. By 1925 the art form had been laid down by artists such as Will Hays, John Carson, Eck Robertson, Henry Gilliland, Vernon Dalhart, but the format was termed 'Hillbilly'. Within a few years, as The Grand Ole Opry began its radio broadcasts 'Hillbilly' became 'Country' with a mix of south eastern folk music and western cowboy music, enjoyed mainly at the then popular Radio Barn Dances. By the 1940's, western swing and honky tonk music had developed as an integral part of 'Country'. The 1950's saw the emergence of 'Rock & Roll' as a separate entity to 'Country' and in direct competition with it. 'Country' began to lose ground against the emerging genres. There was only one strategy left by the early 1960's, if 'Country' was to survive - produce country music that 'crossed over' and made it acceptable for listeners to pop music and rock & roll music. And so the image of 'Country' began to blur.
In 1980 the film 'Urban Cowboy' rekindled interest in 'Country' music and at the end of the 20th Century 'Country' is one of America's most popular music formats.
Country Music has survived over the decades because it has the unique ability to absorb many different music styles that are in demand at that time. There are country songs for people who want to sleep; who want to day dream; who are in love; who want to be in love; who want to forget their problems.
Then there's the Country Song that gets the feet moving and the pulse racing, that gets into your head and won't let your brain concentrate on anything else; this is known as the 'Toe Tappin', Boot Stompin', Yeeehaaaain', Screamin', Country Song'.
But can 'Country Music' be defined?
Take 'T-R-O-U-B-L-E' by Travis Tritt. No song is more 'Country' than this! Or is it? In its original 1975 version as sung by Elvis Presley, it was considered pure 'Rock & Roll'. 'Baby Likes To Rock It' by The Tractors is a combination of 'Swing', 'Blues' & 'Rock & Roll' without a hint of 'Country'. This didn't prevent it becoming 'Country Dance Song Of The Year' in 1995. No self respecting Country Music DJ would dare be without that track today.
Indeed 'Rock & Roll' and 'Country' are now inextricably intertwined as in 'Rocky Top', 'Rock Your Body', 'Rockin' Pneumonia', 'Third Rock From The Sun', 'Rock My World', 'Rockin' Country ', 'Rock My Baby', 'Rock This Country', 'Don't Rock The Jukebox', 'Rock Me', 'Hillbilly Rock', 'Hillbilly Rock Hillbilly Roll', 'If The House Is Rockin', 'Rockin' Robin', 'She Wants to Rock', '7 Nights To Rock', 'Rock It Billy', 'Rock A Hula Baby', 'Rodeo Rock', 'Rock This Planet', 'Rocking The Country', 'Rockin' & Rollin' & Raisin' Hell', 'Gonna Rock You Baby', 'Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain', 'Rock & Roll Angel', 'Never Too Old To Rock & Roll', etc. Ask yourself "Is it 'Rock & Roll' or is it 'Country'"?
Initially 'Country' was termed 'White Man's Blues', so there's a similar, long standing relationship between 'Blues' and 'Country'. Alan Jackson, Eddie Cochrane, The Who and Blue Cheer have all recorded 'Summertimes Blues'. You'll only find Alan Jackson's under 'Country' - not the others. Consider songs like 'Four Wheel Cowboy Blues', 'Better Off With The Blues', 'Neon Blue', 'Deep River Blues', 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky', 'You Can't Buy Your Way Out Of The Blues', 'Cowboy Blues', 'Oh So Blue', 'Deja Blue', 'Blue Orleans', 'Singin' The Blues', 'Yodelin' Blues', 'I'm Blue I'm Lonesome', 'Redneck Rhythm & Blues', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Daddy Laid The Blues', 'Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues', 'Blue Boy', 'Salty Dog Blues', 'Mercury Blues', 'Baby's Gone Blues', 'Honky Tonk Blues', 'Am I Blue', 'No Vacation From The Blues', 'Crash Course In The Blues', 'Honky Tonk Blues', etc., and ask yourself if the gap between 'Country' and 'Blues' isn't getting narrower and harder to define?
'Country Music' has encompassed, and continues to encompass, many sounds. There have been 'Cowboy Songs', 'Bluegrass', 'Country Gospel', 'Comedy & Novelty', 'Western Swing', 'Honky Tonk', 'The Nashville Sound', 'Rockabilly', 'Country Dance', 'Instrumentals', 'Outlaw Country', 'Country Rock' and 'New Country'.
'Country Music' in some shape and form, albeit customised by and for the next generation, will survive into the future.
As for a strict definition of what 'Country' is.....................!?!
Has 'Country Music' now evolved past the point at which a strict definition is possible? On a worldwide basis, it is likely that a definition that suits America may not suit Europe or Australia.
Could the following be an accepted division:
1. Traditional Country - country songs written & performed in a 'traditional' style.
2. Young Country - country songs written in a 'traditional' style and performed using modern instruments & technologies.
3. Positive Country - contemporary country songs with a religious message.
4. Techno Country - country songs written about current themes and performed utilising some elements of 'pop techno' music whilst retaining a country style.
Then comes the big question - 'Which of these is/are acceptable to the Linedancer?'
I suspect that that question has to be answered at individual or group level as it would be impractical to inflict an opinion on others without getting a proper concensus.
If you have a clear definition of what 'Country Music' is, or have a constructive thought on what music is acceptable, then feel free to get in touch via E-Mail.