How did rhythm and blues influence country music? Rhythm and blues revolutionized country music as they helped create a new "twang" sound. Through research we discovered that rhythm and blues may have even saved country music from extinction. Because the soulful sounds made by rhythm and blues artists are constantly changing, attracting new, younger audiences is not a problem of the rhythm and blues industry. Therefore modern country music is attempting to diversify by incorporating rhythm and blues elements into its traditional mix so that the sounds remain fresh, the music can reach a wider audience, and so that people can understand the similarities that the two genres share. music is facing is that it can't keep up with the frenetic pace of the music industry. Country songs have always consisted of a lone cowboy singing sad songs. For a long time, country artists' expectations went no further than slow guitar melodies. When a young white artist Marty Stuart decided it was time to write and play his own way, the country music industry was realizing that the urban cowboy fad with all its easy sales had passed. They were also realizing that too much country music sounded the same and that it needed fresh blood and a fresh sound. He needed to evolve (Clendinen 13). Stuart noticed the decline of country music when it came to newer sounds and took it upon himself to fix the problem by trading in the porch fiddle for the electrifying electric guitar. Stuart's electric guitar not only created fresher sounds, but also helped open the ears of a younger generation of country music listeners. Attracting young listeners is the main objective of quasi e...... middle of paper...... - School edition. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011. "Chuck Berry." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition (2011): 1. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011.Cronin, Peter. “Country and R&B artists unite for MCA duets set.” Billboard 106.4 (1994): 1. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011.DUDLEY CLENDINEN, Special to the New York Times. “Country music courts new listeners.” New York Times August 4, 1986: 13. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011. Sturma, Michael. "The Politics of Dance: When Rock 'n' Roll Came to Australia." Journal of Popular Culture 25.4 (1992): 123-142. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. 26 October 2011. "INSIDE THE TRACK." Billboard 119.21 (2007): 66. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011.Shults, Lynn. "Corner of the countryside." Billboard 106.35 (1994): 36. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. October 26. 2011.