<P> During the fifth generation (1990s), country music became a worldwide phenomenon . Two types of artists enjoyed mainstream popularity: neotraditionalists such as Alan Jackson, and the more broadly popular stadium country acts, in particular Garth Brooks . The Dixie Chicks became one of the most popular country bands in the 1990s and early 2000s . </P> <P> The sixth generation (2000s--present) has seen a certain amount of diversification in regard to country music styles . The influence of rock music in country has become more overt during the late 2000s and early 2010s . Hip - hop also made its mark on country music with the emergence of country rap . Most of the best - selling country songs of this era were in the country pop genre, such as those by Lady Antebellum, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift . </P> <P> The first commercial recordings of what was considered instrumental music in the traditional country style were "Arkansas Traveler" and "Turkey in the Straw" by fiddlers Henry Gilliland & A.C. (Eck) Robertson on June 30, 1922, for Victor Records and released in April 1923 . Columbia Records began issuing records with "hillbilly" music (series 15000D "Old Familiar Tunes") as early as 1924 . </P> <P> The first commercial recording of what is widely considered to be the first country song featuring vocals and lyrics was Fiddlin' John Carson with "Little Log Cabin in the Lane" for Okeh Records in June 14, 1923 . </P>

Which of these is not a style of country music