Final answer:
Country music is the genre most closely associated with gospel music, as both genres share deep historical roots and emphasis on vocal harmony and storytelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genre closely associated with gospel music is Country music. Gospel has had a profound influence on many music genres, among them Country. The combination of electric instruments with the sounds of gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B gave birth to rock and roll.
Nonetheless, gospel's roots are deeply entwined with the sounds and themes commonly found in Country music, exemplified by strong storytelling and emotive expression.
Gospel music, which originated from work songs and spiritual tunes crafted by slaves and free blacks in the South, has long been an integral component of the American musical landscape. This musical style evolved into well-known genres such as jazz, blues, and indeed, gospel itself.
Gospel's powerful emphasis on vocal harmony, resonant with Country music's similar focus, solidifies their close association.