There is a movement afoot in Nashville to bring together artists that don’t fit the new pop profile of country. It is being called Americana and it takes me back to old country, with a measure of blues/folk mixed in. I saw a show on PBS called Nashville 2.0 and was greatly encouraged.
Some of the artists: Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Shovels & Rope, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, The Milk Carton Kids, Old Crow Medicine Show, Holly Williams, Dr. John with Dan Auerbach, Duane Eddy, John Fullbright, Stephen Stills with Richie Furay and Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale, Alabama Shakes, The Avett Brothers, Billy Bragg, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rosanne Cash, The Civil Wars,The Mavericks and Dwight Yoakam.
Good stuff.
Thanks for the reply and info!!
I’ve enjoyed Old Crow Medicine Show for years. Carolina Chocolate Drops, I wouldn’t qualify as country. They’re local to, it’s bluegrass that they’re playing. Not too many black folks get into bluegrass, but these guys do a fine job of it.
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Cornbread And Butterbeans
Truth is there’s tons of great stuff being produced. It just doesn’t get on the radio. Blame the rise of media conglomerates homogenizing everything to a lowest common denominator they can program everywhere.
Check out Sons of Bill, Lucero, Jason Isbell (Southeastern was the best album written in 2013). Older alt-country such as Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Whiskeytown, Wilco, and Ryan Adams.
Billy Bragg??? He’s a hard core socialist folk singer from the U.K.! *spit*