It's a little known tale of how the legendary label took an unsuccessful bucking bronco ride into the world of country music. 

"The little-known story of Melodyland — involving a titillating novelty song, an early rock & roll star who tried to go country, and a resolute evangelist who wouldn’t back down — telegraphs country’s crossover popularity. [Berry] Gordy, a titan of Black music, saw the appeal of the genre and leveraged his powerful label to take a shot at Nashville — only to come up with an empty beer glass."

When Motown Tried - And Failed - To Go Country