With Canadian country artists making their way in Nashville more and more often, the industry in Canada shows no signs of slowing down. In fact the future of country music looks bright and fans can't wait to see what's going to come next.

Canadian Country's Early Days

Canadian country music has gained most of its popularity within the past 20-30 years, however, artists from Canada were making country music in America in the early days of country music itself. One of the first Canadian artists to make a splash in Nashville was Wilf Carter, who is often thought of as the father of Canadian country music and whose career spanned three decades.

A few years after the beginning of Wilf's career, another Canadian talent emerged, Hank Snow, the Singing Ranger began his illustrious career in 1936 and once even persuaded the Grand Ole Opry to allow Elvis Presley on the stage. These two country icons inspired an entire generation of Canadian artists including Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Caroll Baker, Stompin' Tom Connors, Dick Damron, Stu Davis, Tommy Hunter, Gordon Lightfoot, Rita McNeil, Bob Nolan (founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers), Ronnie Prophet and Gordie Tapp.