Country music has evolved dramatically over the past decade.  You may say it has “grown up,” even with a younger audience and younger artists.

This country is in love with country.

Even though it doesn’t sell as well as rock and pop, country music dominates the radio.

It’s the nation’s top radio format, with News/Talk in second place and Top 40 in third, and its audience has increased by 17 percent in almost a decade.

Country made a strong showing in a recent Pollstar ranking of the Top 20 global concert tours, based on the average box office gross per city. Kenny Chesney was in second place, Jason Aldean in 11th, Miranda Lambert in 12th and Eric Church in 13.

Country artists account for one of three stadium tours this summer. Chesney and Aldean are scheduled to do 10 shows together. The only other performers betting they can fill stadiums at the moment are the Rolling Stones and country-to-pop crossover Taylor Swift.

Those are not numbers or statistics to sneeze at.  Country music has created a niche for itself and will not be denied. And its appeal is widespread.

Country “has always been loyal to the market, and not to a sound,” said Don Cusic, a country music historian at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. “It has always moved in the direction of pop music, but about 15 to 20 years behind.”

A big reason for that, he said, is pop and rock fans tend to be between 15 and 22 years old, while country fans tend to be 30 and older.

“Having said that, it used to be about 12 percent of country fans were in their teens,” according to Cusic. “Now, it’s pushing 20 percent.

Country was traditionally considered “not cool,” he said. The cool performers were in rock and pop.

Now, however, country music is “cool.”  It may have been late to the dance, but it showed up and is not leaving.

The success of young people in country music is a big reason behind that change.

Taylor Swift established herself as a country star as a teenager.

Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery launched their careers on “American Idol,” and other young contestants have given country music a presence on the show as well, along with singers on “The Voice,” where country star Blake Shelton is a judge.

Another big part of country music's appeal is there doesn't seem to be a generational “snobbery” among fans, as may be the case with metal, rock or jazz.  Country music is very accepting.  You can be 14 or 60 and no one will blink an eye if you go to a concert.

Are you a newer fan to country music or an oldie?

This Article Was Adapted From: The Florida Times-Union