Folk music stands as one of the oldest and enduring genres in today's musical landscape. Originating from humble beginnings, this genre has evolved from its minimalist roots while preserving the inherent lyricism that forms the heart of folk music, allowing its vivid stories to flourish as it expanded across the world, catalyzing a cultural shift and producing some of the most groundbreaking musical compositions to date.

A foundational pillar of modern music, the folk genre first emerged in the mid-1840s as a means of delivering memorable and rhythmic narratives. During this era, folk music heavily relied on its lyrics, often devoid of instrumental accompaniments. These stories endowed each folk singer with a distinct voice, providing a platform for diverse cultures to shine. From European laborers and families in the 1800s to the recorded and fully developed musicians of the 1900s, folk music demonstrated its adaptability by incorporating minimalistic arrangements while preserving the essence of each storytelling tradition.

American folk music found its roots in work songs and spirituals created by enslaved people during the Civil War period. By the 1920s and 1930s, guitars and harmonicas found their place as folk music diversified into regional sub-genres across areas like Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Southern states.

Each region infused subtle variations in instrumentation, with Southern folk music drawing from country and bluegrass influences, while Western folk music reflected more of a Spanish origin. Regardless of the instrumental nuances, the stories conveyed through lyrics and the sincerity of the vocalists remained constant throughout the nation. This led to a revival of the genre in the 1950s and 1960s, giving rise to some of folk music's most iconic figures. Artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez used the genre as a platform to create commercially successful music characterized by memorable instrumentation and poignant commentary on significant events in the United States, particularly the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. These singer-songwriters achieved stardom, propelling folk music to the zenith of its popularity during this period. While the genre continued to attract listeners and maintain its tradition of lyrical social commentary over the years, it eventually evolved into a more niche category.

Booking folk acts today can start at a fee of $7,500, with prices for folk groups reaching over $1,000,000.

In the contemporary music landscape, folk music has taken on an indie sensibility, with artists like Bon Iver and The Decemberists pushing the genre's boundaries, exploring new territories, and reshaping the genre for the modern age.