All rhythm is pretty much chord based. You need to get good at chording first. Like Bryan Adams says in The Summer of 69 "Played until my fingers bled" he aint kiddin. That's what it takes. What I would recommend is what you may not like. Learn some simple 3 chord country first. C, D and G. That will really get you started.
I already know c and g, can I learn d and call it quits? I told myself along time ago that the eagles, colt ford and blue on black will be the only country music this redneck ever produces.
Southern rock (skynyrd or molly hatchet etc) is OK.