Country Music Quiz

Question 1

Country music is closely associated with which US city, known as the heart of the industry?

Accepted Answer

Nashville

Answer

Memphis

Answer

New Orleans

Answer

Austin

Question 2

Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson collaborated as which country supergroup?

Accepted Answer

The Highwaymen

Answer

The Outlaws

Answer

The Roadmen

Answer

The Nashville Rebels

Question 3

Dolly Parton wrote 'I Will Always Love You' as a farewell to her mentor. Who was that mentor?

Accepted Answer

Porter Wagoner

Answer

Chet Atkins

Answer

Johnny Cash

Answer

Buck Owens

Question 4

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville first broadcast on radio in which year?

Accepted Answer

1925

Answer

1919

Answer

1931

Answer

1940

Question 5

Shania Twain's 'Come On Over' (1997) is the best-selling album by a female solo artist. How many copies has it sold?

Accepted Answer

40 million+

Answer

20 million

Answer

30 million

Answer

50 million+

Question 6

What is 'outlaw country' and which artists are most associated with it?

Accepted Answer

A 1970s movement of artists rejecting Nashville's polished sound for raw, personal music — Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson

Answer

Country music performed in prisons

Answer

Country music with heavy metal influences

Answer

An underground illegal concert circuit

Question 7

Garth Brooks is the best-selling solo music artist in US history, outselling even Elvis. True or false?

Accepted Answer

True — Garth Brooks has certified more US album sales than any other solo artist

Answer

False — Elvis has more US sales

Answer

False — Michael Jackson has more

Answer

True, but only when digital sales are excluded

Question 8

Taylor Swift began her career as a country artist. Which was her debut country single (2006)?

Accepted Answer

Tim McGraw

Answer

Love Story

Answer

Our Song

Answer

Teardrops on My Guitar

Question 9

Which country music legend is known as 'The Man in Black' and performed a famous concert at Folsom Prison in 1968?

Accepted Answer

Johnny Cash

Answer

Merle Haggard

Answer

Waylon Jennings

Answer

Hank Williams

Question 10

Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' caused controversy by being removed from the Billboard Country chart. Why?

Accepted Answer

Billboard ruled it didn't contain enough country elements despite its banjo sample and country aesthetics

Answer

The song wasn't popular enough to count

Answer

Lil Nas X requested its removal

Answer

Country radio stations refused to play it

Question 11

Hank Williams Sr. is considered the first great country star. He died at age 29 in what year?

Accepted Answer

1953

Answer

1949

Answer

1951

Answer

1955

Question 12

The Country Music Hall of Fame is located in which city?

Accepted Answer

Nashville, Tennessee

Answer

Austin, Texas

Answer

Memphis, Tennessee

Answer

Bakersfield, California

Question 13

What is 'bro-country' — a term coined in the early 2010s?

Accepted Answer

A subgenre of mainstream country heavy on trucks, beer, girls, and summer parties, criticised as formulaic

Answer

Country music made specifically for brothers performing together

Answer

Country music produced in Nashville vs. Austin (the 'bro' being Nashville producers)

Answer

Hip-hop influenced country music

Question 14

Patsy Cline's 'Crazy' (1961) is one of the most beloved country songs. Who wrote it?

Accepted Answer

Willie Nelson

Answer

Patsy Cline herself

Answer

Hank Williams Jr.

Answer

Roger Miller

Question 15

What is the 'Bakersfield Sound' in country music?

Accepted Answer

A raw, honky-tonk alternative to the polished Nashville Sound, developed in Bakersfield, California by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard

Answer

Country music produced in bakeries in Nashville

Answer

Electronic country music developed in California

Answer

Country music with Pacific Coast themes

Question 16

Carrie Underwood's breakthrough came after winning which TV competition?

Accepted Answer

American Idol Season 4

Answer

The Voice Season 1

Answer

X Factor USA Season 1

Answer

Nashville Star Season 3

Question 17

Kenny Rogers' biggest hit was 'The Gambler' (1978). What is the song's famous advice about life?

Accepted Answer

'You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run'

Answer

'Life is a gamble — never fold too early'

Answer

'The best hand is always the one you're dealt'

Answer

'Play every hand like it's your last'

Question 18

Which female country star was dubbed 'The Queen of Country Music'?

Accepted Answer

Both Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are given this title

Answer

Tammy Wynette

Answer

Loretta Lynn

Answer

Dolly Parton

Question 19

Morgan Wallen had his biggest commercial success despite being dropped by his label over a video of him using a racial slur. What album broke records?

Accepted Answer

Both Dangerous and One Thing at a Time broke records

Answer

Dangerous: The Double Album

Answer

One Thing at a Time

Answer

If I Know Me

Question 20

What makes the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards different from the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards?

Accepted Answer

The CMA is based in Nashville and voted by members; the ACM is LA-based and awards shows are held in Las Vegas

Answer

The CMA is voted by industry professionals; the ACM is fan-voted

Answer

They are the same organisation with different names

Answer

The ACM focuses on album sales; the CMA focuses on radio performance