![10 Essential Albums for Your Country Music Education](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2011/08/country-music-education.jpg?w=980&q=75)
10 Essential Albums for Your Country Music Education
Whether you're a lifelong fan or a country music newbie, there's always something to learn and someone new to discover.
From A(mericana) to Z(ydeco), country music has influenced -- and been influenced by -- a wide variety of genres. "Modern country music," since the age of sound recordings, is represented by thousands of worthwhile artists and their best albums, which makes whittling a list down to a mere 10 something of a herculean task. But you've got to start somewhere, and we believe that each of these distinctive collections will teach you something invaluable about country music.
With that in mind, school is in session: Flip through the gallery below to see our picks for 10 albums that will kick-start your country music education. Better take notes!
This list was originally compiled by Stephen L. Betts, and revised by Christina Vinson.
More From KIX 105.7
![Top 10 Country Songs About Dogs](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2015/09/top-country-albums-october-2015.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![74 Years Ago: Hank Williams Debuts on the Grand Ole Opry](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2014/10/Hank-Williams.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lights, Camera, Action! 7 Iconic Moments From the 1960s’ Country Music Variety Shows](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2018/07/Johnny-Cash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Top 10 Country Songs About Nature](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2017/04/johnny-cash-brad-paisley.png?w=980&q=75)
![Watch Ricky Skaggs Surprise Carly Pearce and Michael Ray During Opry Duet](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2018/12/Carly-Michael.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Keith Urban Subbed in for Hospitalized Vince Gill During 2018 CMA Ricky Skaggs Tribute](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2018/11/vince-gill1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![6 Take-Your-Breath-Away Moments From the 2018 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductions](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2018/10/ricky-skaggs.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![50 Country Albums Everyone Must Hear Before They Die](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2018/07/50-Albums-Edit.png?w=980&q=75)
![Stars Who’ve Suffered Unthinkable Tragedies](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2018/06/George-Strait.jpg?w=980&q=75)