"Country is a state of mind," sang Tom T. Hall, and right now, it's as hot as jalapeños on Long Island. There are two local country radio stations (103.1, — The Wolf (WWWF/103.1 FM) and My Country ...

NORFOLK — It was around 8:30 p.m. on a recent Friday at The Banque when things began pulsing. The house lights had dimmed and hip-hop baselines were infusing The Banque’s country and western playlist.

Thirty years ago, when John Travolta was dazzling movie audiences as a rhinestone-clad “Urban Cowboy”, the D.C. area had plenty of dance halls promoting line dancing and two-step struts.“This area was ...