To some fans, country music was meant to be played one way—unfiltered, unplugged, and entirely acoustic. This is a purist school of thought, and one that mainly applies to bluegrass and folk music.

The acoustic guitar has long been at the center of country music. In the early days of the genre, it was the only kind of guitar available. Even after the introduction of electric guitars, many ...

Singer Kelli Belles wrote a song about Jolene's son — the famed character from Dolly Parton's 1973 hit — on a whim. Then Parton heard it and not only signed off, she sang harmonies on the song. "It is ...