Country Music Goes Global From Nashville Roots

Country music is having a global moment, and the world capital of twang is showing everyone how it happened.

Nashville, Tennessee, has always been the beating heart of country music. But what started in the hills of Appalachia and honky-tonk bars has transformed into a worldwide phenomenon that crosses borders and languages.

France 24's new documentary series "Arts24 in Nashville" traces this remarkable journey. Host Eve Jackson explores how a genre once linked solely to rural American life now resonates with audiences from Madrid to São Paulo.

The secret? Country music never abandoned what made it special in the first place.

Radio hosts Big D & Bubba explain how the genre has evolved with changing tastes while keeping its soul intact. The music still celebrates authenticity, emotion, and real human stories that anyone can connect with.

Paul Kingsbury from the Country Music Hall of Fame walks viewers through the genre's deep roots. Meanwhile, singers Irene Kelley and Justyna Kelley share how they're carrying forward a musical legacy built on honesty and lived experience.

Their stripped-down performances reveal something powerful. Country music's themes of love, loss, identity and belonging aren't just American stories. They're human stories that translate across cultures.

The Ripple Effect

Country music's global rise proves that authentic storytelling knows no borders. European festivals now feature country lineups, Latin American artists are blending the genre with their own traditions, and streaming numbers show explosive growth worldwide.

The genre's renaissance comes from staying true to its core while welcoming new voices and perspectives. It turns out that when you tell honest stories about resilience, family and the human experience, people everywhere want to listen.

Nashville may be the world capital of country music, but the genre's passport now covers the entire globe.