Country music was originally known as “old-time music” and began in the southern Appalachian Mountains with musicians playing and recording fiddle tunes. The origins of country music can be found in the recordings of Jimmie Rodgers (the “singing brakeman”) and the Carter family. The fiddle, mandolin, and banjo were the dominant instruments in the early days, but the guitar gradually became more accepted by string band musicians in the early 1900s. There are many heroes of country guitar; here are some of the most influential.