What is the best country music?

Vanity

[GSWarrior]

I always get in on music threads after about 100 posts so I thought I'd start my own.

What is the best country music...old and new? Here's mine.

Buddy Miller
Kieran Kane
Billy Joe Shaver
Slaid Cleaves
Hayes Carll
LeeAnn Womack
Charlie Rich
Paul Burch
Thad Cockrell

[Liberty Valance]

“Tennessee Stud” played by Doc Watson and Jack Lawrence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5c1k949Zn4&feature=related

[GSWarrior]

There's alot of fuzziness out there, with lines blurring...

By that criteria I would have to add Lambchop. Kurt Wagner is a genius, IMO.

[andy58-in-nh]

Pretty good list you've got there for starters. I'd add:

Robert Earl Keen
Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Ray Wylie Hubbard
John Prine
Chris Knight
Fred Eaglesmith
Pat Green

[Ghengis]

I like more old country than the new stuff. I will listen to Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Clint Black and few others. Most of it now is recycled early '70s pop.

If you want a few chuckles by some talented guys, give Hayseed Dixie a listen.

[GSWarrior]

Larry Cordle....great singer.

[dead]

That was awesome! They are both brilliant.

In NYC, you get to see some country greats who play smaller venues then they would out there in the real world.

One of the best concerts I ever saw was the night before the Grammy’s were being presented in the city. All the country nominees were in town, and some gave a show at the dumpy little Bottom Line. I sat right next to the stage, while all of them sat up there together and took turns talking about songs and playing them in various combinations. The line up that night included Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, along with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, John Hiatt, Raul Malo, Matraca Berg and Trisha Yearwood.

Really a great night.

[TADSLOS]

Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakum. Definitely.

[Liberty Valance]

You are a lucky one. Sounds like a wonderful night!

[BnBlFlag]

Great list, especially George Jones, the best Country Singer in History. I’d also add Patti Loveless and Vince Gill as well as Dolly.
Since Country’s not Country anymore, I’ve gravitated more over to Bluegrass and Country Gospel.

[dirtstiff]

QUIETLY and FAR AWAY

[OldEagle]

Nothing wrong there Not with her singing or her looks.

[OldEagle]

" And no list could be complete without an extra special nod to the late, great Roger Miller."

Absolutely true. But was he country?

[GSWarrior]

But was he country?

Absolutely.

[Big Red Clay]

Whats on the ipod right now? hmmm
Alabama
George Strait
David Allen Coe
Willie Nelson
Waylon Jennings
Merle Haggard
Hank Jr and Hank Sr
Jerry Reed
Alan Jackson
I have to confess that I like some of the new guys. Kenny Chesney has some really catchy songs as does Toby Keith. Also enjoy Garth Brooks quite a bit as well.

[OldEagle]

Probably true. I remember My Elusive Dreams as being my favorite serious song of his. Hard to beat.

I also think Emmyloy Harris belongs on any Best Country Music list.

[OldEagle]

Make that Emmylou Harris.

[CougarGA7]

For me it’s:

Tim McGraw
Charlie Daniels
Lonestar
Toby Keith
Merle Haggard
Alabama
Juice Newton

[Mr. Mojo]

Hank Williams (Sr.)

Johnny Cash

Willie Nelson

Merle Haggard

[allmendream]

Good one from a Great movie.

To me the best country music is that which is being played out of earshot. But that is only applicable to modern “pop” country.

I like....

Patsy Cline
Hank Williams
Loretta Lynn
Emylou Harris
Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson

and a few others. Love me some “Somebody done somebody wrong songs.”

[TexasNative2000]

Allison Kraus & Union Station
Joe Ely
Buck Owens
The Derailers
The Mavericks
Dwight Yoakum
George Strait
Vince Gill
Patsy Cline
Asleep at the Wheel
Johnny Cash & June Carter (Just watched 'Walk the Line' again - amazing performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon)
Merle Haggard

That's enough to get me through the weekend.........