Countrypolitan: When Nashville Went Pop
Countrypolitan is a country music style that emerged in the 1960s, blending traditional country songwriting with orchestral strings, backing vocal choirs, and pop-style production to broaden the genre's mainstream appeal.
The 'Nashville Sound' Foundation
Countrypolitan grew out of the earlier 'Nashville Sound' movement of the late 1950s, which had already begun softening country's rougher edges to compete with rock and roll for radio audiences.
Key Figures Behind the Style
Producers such as Billy Sherrill are widely credited with pushing the countrypolitan sound further, layering strings and choral backing vocals onto recordings by artists like Tammy Wynette and Charlie Rich.
Why the Outlaw Movement Pushed Back Against It
Countrypolitan's polish is part of what the outlaw country movement of the 1970s deliberately rejected, favoring rawer, less orchestrated recordings — the two styles are often discussed as opposite ends of the same era's spectrum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is countrypolitan the same as the 'Nashville Sound'?
They're related but distinct — countrypolitan is generally considered a later, more heavily orchestrated evolution of the earlier Nashville Sound.
Which artists best represent countrypolitan?
Tammy Wynette and Charlie Rich are frequently cited as defining voices of the style.
Did countrypolitan help country music reach pop audiences?
Yes — its smoother production was specifically designed to make country music more accessible to mainstream pop radio.