A sub genre of rock
music originated in the Midwest. Characterized by light and semi-twangy guitar riffs, this genre is dedicated to mostly blue-collar workers and average folks from Middle America (Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Indiana, ...)
ex: Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Tom Petty,...
Heartland rock is probably the most easy-listening sub genre of rock
music, and it is also the epitome of American pride and small town pride, which is similar to Country
music and Southern Rock.
Bob: I live and die in the heartland, and ain't nothing beat the
music where I'm from.
Bill: what type of music do your folks listen to?
Bob: my folks only listen to one thing, and it is heartland rock.