I think we can all agree that country music is the most exciting genre in music these days. Lots of good new stuff coming out all the time from such greats as Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell etc. Plus an amazing library of classics from such greats as Willie, Merle, Waylan etc.


I just discovered country in May 2015 so my library and knowledge is still in its infancy. Bought everything from Simpson, Stapleton and Isbell and am now trying to get into some older stuff. Just downloaded about 40 Lucinda Williams songs last week, she's pretty awesome. Bought George Jones greatest hits as well.

Looking to keep going down this path. Probably gonna invest in some Merle and Waylan and Hank. Been looking at essential country music albums and might pick a few off that.

So what are some country singers or albums you recommend? Or let's just talk about country music in general.


I know some of you are too ignorant to give country a legit shot and I would tell you I feel sorry for you, but that would require me to have empathy for my fellow man, which I am either incapable of or unwilling to do.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Chris Stapleton just played here and from what I heard, it was a hell of a show. Also kicking myself for not going to Jason Isbell when he was in Bloomington.

Blackberry Smoke is playing here and I think I'm gonna check them out. I'm not a modern county fan and this sounds a little heavier than that pop country garbage.

Waylon Jennings -

I'm a Ramblin' Man
Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way
Good Hearted Woman
Luckenbach, Texas
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
I've Always Been Crazy
Amanda
Dukes of Hazzard (not my favorite...but gotta have it)
Honky Tonk Heroes
Lonesome, On'ry and Mean

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You know me like that.

My older sister always had the Waylon and Willie albums playing. Good stuff.

Blackberry Smoke is definitely not in the pop category, they're more of a country rock from the songs I've heard. I bet its a great show.

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Thanks, Waylan is definitely on my short list.

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JORR introduced me to him.....I'm a fan.

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My cousin Kendall from Indiana, he got high once. And, you know, he started eating, like, really weird foods. Then he felt like he didn't belong anywhere.

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-- source

I love Honky Tonk Heroes.

Even though my wife and I both love Good Hearted Woman and it's a pretty good description of our marriage, the DJ at our wedding refused to play it because he said it would alter the mood he was developing.

I said I'm paying you, motherfucker. He still wouldn't play it.

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You know me like that.

yea he's fantastic. Saw him in June at the Riv, amazing.

If there's someone out there these days in any genre making better music than Sturgill I'd be surprised.


Check out Stapleton and Isbell, they're in that same category as Sturgill IMO. Isbell is a little on the softer side, but his song writing is at a different level.

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key is avoid nashville country. it's become hot garbage.

try:
wade bowen
stoney larue
randy rogers band
bart crow band
cross canadian ragweed
whiskey myers
turnpike troubadours
casey donahew (getting a tad close to girly nashville stuff with this guy)
aaron watson - good honky tonk
american acquarium
max stalling - love this dude

a lot of those guys listed are more of alt-country (red dirt country). it's a style i really like. music is a bit more modern than traditional country music.

Interesting, I don't think I've heard of any of those except turnpike troubadours. I'll put them on my radar.

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I count Kix Brooks "New to this town" one of my all-time favorite tunes.

I also have some Glen Campbell music,Little Texas,Big & Rich and a lot of other country acts. A lot of it though is cheesy sounding pop rock that now has found a new home in Nashville. It's sad how many "rock acts" make their way to Nashville in their later years.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Gentle on My Mind is a cool tune.

Dean Martin does a great version of it also.

Wichita Lineman, also great.

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You know me like that.

His album he made with new music before the Alzheimer's kicked in was excellent.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Townes Van Zandt is outstanding, especially his first two albums. "For the Sake of the Song," "Sixteen Summers, Fifteen Falls," "Waitin' Around to Die," "Kathleen," all great.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ7np3ZiMgw

John Hartford - Gentle on My Mind

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

A typical "pasta" response:

Townes Van Zandt your ass!

WTF is a Townes Van Zandt?



A polite response:

Gee,never heard of him. Please tell me more.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Out of the New guys I really like Chris Cagle.

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

I prefer "What's is this hippie shit?". That was beautiful.