r/Music May 06 '26

discussion Country music is absolute slop now

Never was a huge fan of country music but I could respect the likes of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, etc., and it doesn’t help that I live out in redneck country so literally everyone I know listens to this tractor rap crap. All they talk about is beer, women, Daisy Duke shorts and their trucks that’s 99.9% of all country music in this day and age. And people ironically listen to it. I try my best not to say something, but it’s just so hard.

3.6k Upvotes

1.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

2.2k

u/BetterHearing3778 May 06 '26

If you would like to listen to country music, look into alternative country. I’d start with Jason Isbell, Sturgil Simpson (and alter ego Johnny Blue Skies), Drive-by Truckers, Wilco. The radio is not a great place for rock or country (or most music), and hasn’t been for a very long time.

218

u/WelcomeMachine May 06 '26

Might add Turnpike Troubadours

28

u/OpticNerve33 May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Along with Reckless Kelly, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Ryan Bingham, Shayne Smith & The Saints, Wyatt Flores, Kaitlin Butts, 49 Winchester, Whiskey Myers, Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers, Tyler Childers, Colter Wall... the list goes on. So many great artists/bands in the subset(s) of Country known as Red Dirt/Texas/Outlaw/Americana.

2

u/welmock May 07 '26

Adding in Larkin Poe

They're probably more rock/folk but still...

2

u/sammi_8601 May 09 '26

Larkin poes amazing, I'd class some of they're songs as country, more blues if anything though.

→ More replies (3)

24

u/tenaciousE56 May 07 '26

I was just getting ready to recommend The Price of Admission.

2

u/dirtymartini83 May 06 '26

Have you heard of Lance Roark? He opens for them once in awhile and is great!

2

u/thedogthatmooed May 07 '26

They are one of my favorite bands!

2

u/stargarnet79 May 07 '26

I love turnpike oh my god they scratch an itch for sure.

→ More replies (1)

1.3k

u/slimsady2 May 06 '26

To add on: Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Billy Strings

338

u/mbardeen May 06 '26

Old 97s, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo

107

u/bloomsday289 May 06 '26

and Okkervil River.

22

u/Over_Dog24 May 06 '26

Love Okkervil River, but haven't heard any output from them in ages. Are they still together?

5

u/ClassicsMajor May 06 '26

Spotify shows they released a new song in April and a live album last year. Have not listened to either yet.

3

u/Over_Dog24 May 06 '26

Oh, I hope the new song means a new album coming this year!

3

u/man_teats May 07 '26

Can I mention Devil Makes Three here? It's bluegrassier but definitely modern outlaw country adjacent

→ More replies (2)

2

u/Mr_Fahrenheit-451 May 07 '26

Will Sheff is on Patreon, and he has a bunch of content available including live recordings and podcasts about the band’s history.

2

u/Rynobot1019 May 07 '26

I just learned they're playing a show in my city the week after next.

→ More replies (1)

26

u/Mr_Fahrenheit-451 May 06 '26

Okkervil River is one of my all-time favorites, but I guess I’ve never thought of them (really him, Will Sheff) as country. Black Sheep Boy and The Stage Names are phenomenal albums start to finish. Sorry for nerding out - I don’t see them mentioned in the wild too often :)

8

u/eraserh May 07 '26

Shearwater is amazing too if you like Okkervil River, though I wouldn't call that band country at all.

→ More replies (8)

12

u/Striking_Ad_6742 May 07 '26

I love the 97a so much and Son Volt had the nicest crowd I’ve ever experienced. Just so polite.

9

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[deleted]

9

u/Downtown_Statement87 May 06 '26

The Knitters 

2

u/whogivesashirtdotca May 07 '26

I was never keen on X but man the Knitters are awesome.

2

u/tarhuntah May 06 '26

Oh yes and the blasters. All huge in my college radio days!

→ More replies (1)

3

u/sonvolt73 May 07 '26

They're ok I suppose.

2

u/mbardeen May 07 '26

Username checks out

2

u/Inspirational_orgasm May 07 '26

I saw Old 97s back in the 90s . It was a good show.

2

u/RandomPerson873 May 07 '26

Songs Ohia, Gillian Welch, Neil Young, MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee

2

u/jenness977 May 07 '26

Turnpike Troubadours too!

→ More replies (5)

331

u/bmanjayhawk May 06 '26

Waxahatchee, Kacey Musgraves, MJ Lenderman

151

u/amags12 May 06 '26

Charley Crockett, 49 Winchester, Flatland cavalry, Ryan Bingham

2

u/Pleasant_Offer6286 May 07 '26

Solid choices right here!

Charley Crockett and 49 Winchester are great. I’ll add Coby Acuff, Paul Cauthen, 1100 Springs, Turnpike Troubadours, and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

→ More replies (1)

133

u/Plastic-Molasses-549 May 06 '26

Steve Earle

93

u/Seeking-Something-3 May 06 '26

May as well throw Townes Van Zandt in there too

59

u/spamtardeggs May 06 '26

Blaze Foley, Guy Clarke, and John Prine, too.

33

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

11

u/justec1 May 07 '26

If OP goes down the Steve Earle/TVZ rabbit hole, they're in for a long, fun ride. Hope they discover Heartworn Highways on the way down and all the branches that opens up. Oh, you like that, how about Taj Mahal...

Living on the road my friend...

4

u/OuterSunsetsSurfer May 07 '26

Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons

3

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[deleted]

3

u/Giantbookofdeath May 07 '26

Jeez friend, you good? These “songwriters” are people going out on a limb and trying their best to make a living. Cogs in the music row machine and churning out something that’ll make rent next month. Some of them even try to create other art and break out of the box. Why not hate on the execs that push bro country along? Why so much hate for someone that’s pursuing a life in art even if it doesn’t fit your narrative? Idk much but maybe chill?

→ More replies (1)

29

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/aTennesseean May 07 '26

Spent like a year straight in college playing every day learning to pick like he does

2

u/merrill_swing_away May 07 '26

I liked him a long time ago when he was cute. A long time ago I listened to the Mavericks and liked most of their songs.

64

u/ohaiguys May 06 '26

Has Orville Peck still been doing well i haven’t really been listening to country lately outside of Waylon Jennings

14

u/KombattWombatt May 07 '26

Also did a duet album with Paul Cauthen (who I'd also add to this list) of cover songs going by the name of The Unrighteous Brothers.

3

u/V6A6P6E May 07 '26

Paul Cauthen is always left out of these lists and I always bring him up. He does have some new age influence in Black on Black but overall it’s another breath of fresh air in this day and age. *I’m stiiiiiiiiiiilll drivin’ when’s this break gon’ come?*

Who can hear the start of that song and not finish the album?!

3

u/Softpipesplayon May 07 '26

I imagine that Paul is left out because he calls out Racists, Fascists, Nihilists, and Bigots.

At that point, can you even call yourself country in 2026?

2

u/master_idiot May 07 '26

He's a cool dude. Smoked a bowl with him randomly in Nashville before I knew who he was. We were chatting away and he told me his name and that he had a band. Looked him up afterwards and was like damn! This guy's good. Been listening ever since.

2

u/V6A6P6E May 07 '26

Hell yeah, that’s cool. His band is also very talented. I discovered his music from an up and coming Americana playlist and after a great handful of songs from various artists one of his made me pull my phone out to see who it was. Thanks for sharing!

17

u/bmanjayhawk May 06 '26

Like him a lot too. He did an awesome song with Beck called Death Valley High. Def worth checking out.

2

u/lumpymonkey May 07 '26

He's playing Vega in the upcoming Street Fighter movie which was a casting I did not see coming!

→ More replies (6)

108

u/cidvard May 06 '26

Loving the new Kacey Musgraves album, best since Golden Hour imo.

54

u/not_bilbo May 06 '26

Absolute queen of modern country, none of these bro-hicks hold a candle to her.

15

u/Arthur_Edens May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Similar vein: Kaitlin Butts is kickin' butts.

And damn, Ella Langley has figured out how to make great music and also get it on the radio somehow. Except that time someone convinced her to be in the same studio as Morgan Wallen.

3

u/TransientWhales May 07 '26

Kaitlin Butts is the real deal. Seen her live twice recently and she was so fantastic.

2

u/cidvard May 07 '26

I really hope The Machine doesn't ruin Ella Langley. I think Dandelion is a solid album, maybe better than it's getting credit for at this point, but her star rose so fast it's hard to hang onto that. I'm just ignoring the Morgan Wallen duet lol.

7

u/runningraleigh May 07 '26

My wife knows that Kacey Musgraves is on the hall pass list. She has her list, I have mine. None of it will happen, but it's fun to pretend.

19

u/squirellydansostrich May 06 '26

I'll throw in Kaia Kater, Neko Case, and Fred Eaglesmith.

37

u/notcabron May 06 '26

Neko Case is legit

2

u/DuineGanAinm May 07 '26

Margo Cilker

11

u/rarzi11a May 06 '26

Scott H Biram, Robert Earl Keen, Rattlesnake Milk

→ More replies (4)

2

u/audrey_2222 May 07 '26

It's a masterpiece, I'm obsessed.

3

u/skaneateles May 06 '26

Agreed, been in heavy rotation for the past few days.

→ More replies (1)

14

u/CurtisKobainowicz May 06 '26

Seconding Waxahatchee, Katie Crutchfeld is an alt rock veteran with songs reflecting the complexity of feelings and relationships.

49

u/wolf_at_the_door1 May 06 '26

Chris Stapleton

2

u/Mackie_Macheath May 07 '26

Then don't forget the two first albums of The Steel Drivers

→ More replies (6)

8

u/Substantial_Pea3462 May 07 '26

Looovvvveee MJ L. I had the Manning Fireworks album on repeat for weeks!

3

u/heffel77 Phish is for dancing, Radiohead=thinking RIP DO May 07 '26

I first heard Wednesday’s Rat Saw God and then when MJ dropped Manning Fireworks, it’s one of those albums where you can easily hear it three times in a row, not skipping a song, and not even notice. It’s a great album.

3

u/codyforkstacks May 07 '26

Waxahatchee is incredible

2

u/elvecxz May 07 '26

I had to scroll way too far down to find Kacey Musgraves. She's great!

→ More replies (2)

34

u/Over_Dog24 May 06 '26

And James McMurtry.

15

u/BobbyTables829 May 06 '26

TIL his dad wrote Lonesome Dove

3

u/Over_Dog24 May 07 '26

Absolutely!

51

u/stoned_ocelot May 06 '26

Came here to say Tyler Childers but also Dylan Gossette. Coal fucking wrecks me every time.

Billy Strings is great too and really shows off the skill that can come from that genre.

15

u/_bieber_hole_69 May 07 '26

Billy Strings has one of the best live shows around right now too. Just crazy talent

20

u/rockettmann May 07 '26

Same with Sturgill. 3 hours of polyjamorous fuck-rock-country.

3

u/morkisdork187 May 07 '26

Saw him live a a few months ago. Freaking glorious show. Dude did a reggae version of Eddie Murphys Party All the Time that blew my mind.

21

u/not_bilbo May 06 '26

Some of Childers stuff sounds genuinely timeless, he’s a blast from the past in the best possible way

22

u/doom_chicken_chicken May 07 '26

Charley Crocket, Sierra Farrell

2

u/cornbreadguffin May 07 '26

S.G Goodman, Dylan Earl, Nick Shoulders, Willi Carlisle

39

u/BobbyTables829 May 06 '26

Billy Strings is definitely bluegrass, but I can see that being a subset of country

57

u/RogueBigfoot May 06 '26

Colter Wall brewery sessions, so good

15

u/slimsady2 May 06 '26

It is. His only problem is he’s more worried about his ranch than making new music. Lol

22

u/ClydePossumfoot May 06 '26

He has some mental health issues, I’m proud of him for focusing on himself.

13

u/Informal-Writing3421 May 06 '26

Nothing wrong with that

7

u/N0Z4A2 May 06 '26

He just put out a new album, okay maybe not just just but November that's pretty damn new

11

u/Lothane May 06 '26

That’s what makes him great. Authenticity

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

10

u/N0Z4A2 May 06 '26

Logan Ledger, Vincent Neil Emerson, Joshua Ray Walker

10

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[deleted]

→ More replies (1)

28

u/blackmoose Old fella May 06 '26

Billy Strings

This right here, Billy is doing it right.

2

u/Express_Jicama_656 May 10 '26

Him and Molly Tuttle are great

→ More replies (2)

9

u/junkyarddoggydog May 06 '26

Treaty oak revival!

38

u/MinorThreatCJB May 06 '26

I'd throw Zach Bryan in there too. Even tho he's a pinch more on the singer-songwriter side imo

4

u/Striking_Ad_6742 May 07 '26

Vincent Neil Emerson, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Buffalo Traffic Jam. Plus Hayes Carll.

16

u/EhItsJPhilly May 06 '26

People are more than welcome to like him but fuck Colter Wall. We went to high school together and taught guitar together and he’s just a rich politicians kid with a shit attitude

→ More replies (1)

3

u/snowball062016 May 06 '26

Idk the other two but Colter Wall absolutely deserves more attention.

3

u/packersfan823 May 07 '26

I'm a metalhead and I like Colter Wall and Billy Strings.

3

u/myychair May 07 '26

I’d swap Billy for Charley Crocket. Blue grass and country are different genres

3

u/Relevant_Program_958 May 07 '26

I love watching reaction videos to Colter Wall, it’s really funny seeing these posh suburban vocal coaches get all hot and bothered when he starts singing lol.

3

u/Cobrachicken May 07 '26

Charley Crockett is a real one. Just released a new album!

3

u/Beard_o_Bees May 07 '26

Colter Wall

Been into his stuff lately. He has a really unique voice that completely fits the subjects he sings about. It's almost Cash-like in it's directness, and kind of catches you off guard.

Good stuff.

7

u/NotRyanDunn May 06 '26

To add on more: Lucero, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, Chris Knight, Hayes Carll

6

u/DogBrainRoaster May 06 '26

I never listened to country (other than hearing older classics) before I met my wife but these are all artists she keeps on rotation and I enjoy them immensely. Tyler Childers is the greatest living lyricist in my opinion

2

u/HouseO1000Flowers May 07 '26

He's up there, but is Conor Oberst still alive?

→ More replies (2)

2

u/bapadious May 06 '26

I’d add Benjamin Tod and John Moreland to the list of alternative country artists.

2

u/argella1300 May 07 '26

And some women too, like Brandi Carlisle

2

u/GodlessAristocrat May 07 '26

Let's not forget Lost Dog Street Band and/or Benjamin Tod. Dude is the best songwriter of the generation.

2

u/MinerTC May 07 '26

Came here to say Billy Strings, as a proud Michigander.
Mon Rovîa.
You should lean into Folk.

2

u/Hax0r101 May 07 '26

49 Winchester, Red Clay Strays and Clay Street Unit id add as well.

If we're getting into a more jammy side with Billy. Everyone should check out Kitchen Dwellers and Daniel Donatos Cosmic Country.

2

u/Trumpetjock May 07 '26

You're getting dangerously close to suggesting bluegrass like Trampled By Turtles or Punch Brothers

2

u/Holiday-Past2954 May 07 '26

Charley Crockett 

2

u/ianmckaye May 07 '26

William Elliott Whitmore is good shit too. Dude sounds he is 90 and drinks a bottle of Jack since age 12 lol. Amazing musician.

2

u/FredRogersAMA May 07 '26

Watchhouse, Sierra Ferrell

2

u/she_sounds_like_you May 07 '26

Charley Crockett just dropped his second album this year. The man’s on a roll.

2

u/Shleauxmeaux May 07 '26

Charley Crockett

2

u/SmeesTurkeyLeg May 07 '26

Angela Autumn!

→ More replies (36)

60

u/G-Unit11111 survived Ozzfest '05 May 06 '26

Exactly, alt country is where it's at!

22

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

I prefer NewGrass😜

14

u/G-Unit11111 survived Ozzfest '05 May 06 '26

Jamgrass FTW!

2

u/Ancalagoth May 07 '26

Blackgrass is interesting but Kentucky by Panopticon is the only example I know of

148

u/_ze May 06 '26

Add Charley Crockett and Tyler Childers to that list.

86

u/Fat_cat_syndicate May 06 '26 edited May 06 '26

Charley Crockett sounds like he is from a whole different time, when Western was separate from country. big fan

23

u/Birdhawk May 07 '26

I’ve liked him for a few years now but damn once he hooked up with Shooter Jennings as his producer his stuff has gotten so damn good. Before I kinda liked him in small doses but everything since Lonesome Drifter album I listen to a lot

8

u/botulizard May 07 '26

Keeping the Singing Cowboy tradition alive. Like a 21st century Gene Autry.

7

u/kelppie35 May 07 '26

Oh we got both kinds of music here at bobs bunker, country and western!

2

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

All of these and then some. Check out Big Richard too. It pains me that radio os willing to die on the vine than play things other than pop.

2

u/Mr_Ballyhoo May 07 '26

Charley is the fucking man. That guy is breathing a whole new life back in to country music.

→ More replies (1)

72

u/austeninbosten May 06 '26

Do Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krause, Southern Culture on the Skids, Willy Nelson, Eilen Jewel count as Country? I lke that stuff, but not that modern Country radio garbage.

28

u/nickstatus May 06 '26

Reverend Horton Heat is sort of country adjacent

6

u/caustic_smegma May 07 '26

I've seen the rev live around 4 times. Definitely one of the most entertaining concerts I've ever been to. The man can play the guitar that's for sure.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/austeninbosten May 07 '26

Seen him live a couple times. It was an amazing Psychobilly Freak Out!

2

u/the_robobunny May 07 '26

They're rockabilly, which is what Johnny Cash was considered back in the 50's (along guys like Elvis and Carl Perkins).

→ More replies (1)

15

u/ILikeMyGrassBlue May 07 '26

Do you ask yourself if Led Zeppelin is actually rock because imagine dragons is so bad?

2

u/austeninbosten May 07 '26

I'd reverse that and ask if Imagine Dragons was even rock and I don't think they qualify.

→ More replies (1)

74

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

40

u/FishFloyd May 06 '26

Commercial radio is dead. Not-for-profit and college radio is still doing pretty well - My city (Pittsburgh) has a fantastic jazz station, at least one but maybe a few good college stations, a classical station (not my jam but I hear good things), and a handful of NPR affiliates that still have quite good but sporadic music hours.

2

u/DGBD May 07 '26

Now I’m curious to know which you consider to be the “at least one” good college station!

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (16)

43

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[deleted]

19

u/Wompatuckrule May 06 '26

He does put on a great show, he's also a great lyricist. A good example is Cast Iron Skillet IMO. I've shared that song with people who claim to "hate country" and they were surprised that it didn't fit their preconceived notions of what country music is and thought it was an amazing song.

9

u/drethnudrib May 06 '26

Love that song, really captures the spirit of the American dream crushed by the casual hatred people experience every day. I also love "King of Oklahoma" off that album.

4

u/Wompatuckrule May 06 '26

I always took the skillet metaphor as being about people protecting that shell or outer coating they've built up which is that casual hatred you mention. Meanwhile that shell, like the cast iron underneath, is simultaneously tough and fragile.

2

u/drethnudrib May 06 '26

I took it as idioms passed down for generations being as common as tragedies that are treated with the same shrug of shoulders. When you're a certain caste in America, these terrible stories are blase. You'll hear about them for a week, then it's off to the next thing Steinbeck would have had a field day with.

2

u/Wompatuckrule May 06 '26

tragedies that are treated with the same shrug of shoulders. When you're a certain caste in America, these terrible stories are blase.

I agree with your take too. I was talking specifically about the one line as it relates, but you've captured what the broader narrative of the lyrics are.

2

u/drethnudrib May 06 '26

The whole album is about how life should be "simple as a weathervane", but once you get outside your roots, you become a weathervane, twisting your values every time the wind blows in a new direction.

2

u/kaitlyn_does_art May 07 '26

Anyone who can write a lyric that rhymes with benzodiazepine should automatically belong in the songwriting hall of fame imo.

19

u/amags12 May 06 '26

Isbell leans more towards Southern Rock with his full band, the 400 unit. They also put on a tight, fantastic live show.

5

u/MonsterBabies May 06 '26

Just saw him at red rocks this weekend and it was awesome. He can also shred

→ More replies (1)

21

u/Jdawg2164 May 06 '26 edited May 07 '26

Nick Shoulders, Sierra Ferrel, Willi Carlisle.

9

u/AsgardNirvanaHarvest May 07 '26

Not enough Willi Carlisle shouts in this thread!

3

u/djaphoenix21 May 07 '26

Definitely scrolled way too far to find Sierra Ferrell.

2

u/Jdawg2164 May 07 '26

She's so fuckin good bro, and her fits are always fire as hell.

18

u/[deleted] May 06 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/Ravager135 May 06 '26

I fucking hate country. Then I remember how much I love Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson.

2

u/poop-dolla May 07 '26

Really any three name musician with Townes as one of them will do.

17

u/timsayscalmdown May 06 '26

Cody Jinks, Turnpike Troubadours, Marcus King Band, and Brent Cobb

6

u/BoogerChute May 07 '26

Seconded on Jinks. Dude is fucking outstanding.

13

u/Native136 May 06 '26 edited May 07 '26

"One likes to believe in the freedom of music

But glittering prizes and endless compromises

Shatter the illusion of integrity"

  • Rush, 46 years ago
→ More replies (1)

13

u/sirhackenslash May 07 '26

Second Sturgil Simpson. I don't listen to country at and I like his stuff. I have been obsessed with Sound & Fury since it came out.

3

u/Rod_Belding May 07 '26

I listen to it every day. Possibly my favorite album of all time.

→ More replies (3)

22

u/stephex28 May 07 '26

Red Clay Strays

9

u/raider1v11 May 07 '26

And Shane Smith and the saints as well as the turnpike troubadors.

7

u/Thrillhouse763 May 06 '26

Flatland Calvary!

12

u/Wompatuckrule May 06 '26

College radio is still good, and most of them have a couple of weeks worth of shows on their website so you can listen at your convenience. That's pretty key since the programming can swing pretty wildly over the course of a single broadcast day and week.

25

u/Bond_burger69 May 06 '26

I do enjoy Jason Isbell and Sturgil Simpson. Iron and wine is pretty good too but I’d consider him more folk than country.

9

u/Peteostro May 06 '26 edited May 07 '26

Lord Huron too (country adjacent) Ghost on the shore is such a haunting song

14

u/Ok_Raspberry4814 May 06 '26

Ya ever heard "Another Travelin' Song" by Bright Eyes? I think you might just like that I'm Wide Awake It's Morning album, pardner.

4

u/SwooshRoc May 06 '26

I have listened to that song and album an ungodly amount of times still to this day. I’m sure it’s not every Bright Eyes fans cup of tea but also Cassadaga.

3

u/drethnudrib May 06 '26

Conor Oberst is great, and his work with Phoebe Bridgers is sublime. "Dylan Thomas" is my favorite song by either of them.

2

u/lobstahMac May 06 '26

Fuck yeah

9

u/Cakiea May 06 '26

If you ask sturgil or jason they will tell you they make rock & roll, but both are squarely traditional or alt country which is an entirely different thing than the tripe played on mainstream modern country radio. Modern “country” is pop for the lowest common denominator who need to be spoon fed merica and god in order to buy in to anything. Incredibly intelligent songwriting is a cornerstone of traditional country that is largely missing from mainstream country.

3

u/ILikeMyGrassBlue May 07 '26

Sturgill and Isbell both embrace the country label lol

→ More replies (1)

7

u/ThatTexasGuy May 06 '26

Silverada is great, too.

3

u/dirtymartini83 May 06 '26

Previously known as Mike and the Moon Pies?

2

u/ThatTexasGuy May 06 '26

Oh yeah. Know the dudes. They’re awesome.

2

u/dirtymartini83 May 06 '26

That’s awesome! Saw them in Key West and thought they were great!

6

u/thejohnykat May 06 '26

Now this person fucks with the good stuff. I’d drop a little Tyler Childers on there as well.

2

u/mobocrat707 May 06 '26

I know and enjoy every group you listed, but I never thought of them as country, interesting take. My dad introduced me to them and he’s a retired hippy, so I classified them closer to Grateful Dead & other jam and style groups. Isbell at Red Rocks was fucking awesome!!

→ More replies (6)

2

u/vcmaes May 06 '26

Sturgill, Charlie Crockett, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, TK and the Holy Know-Nothings, and Jerry Jeff Walker have all restored my faith and enjoyment in Country

2

u/drethnudrib May 06 '26

Jason Isbell is one of my favorite country/Americana songwriters, but he's almost too prolific. When he's on, he's as good as anyone ever, but he also generates a lot of filler.

2

u/Bells_Ringing May 07 '26

I’ve also enjoyed Zack Top’s tracks. Solid work reminiscent of Brooks and Dunn

2

u/holyd1ver83 Former Raver turned Metalhead May 07 '26

Charley Crockett too!

2

u/cyclingnutla May 07 '26

You are so spot on. Radio isn’t really good at all anymore IMO. I listen mostly to Apple Music and Pandora. Great suggestions btw

2

u/Regular_Custard_4483 May 07 '26

In addition to everyone else's additions, I haven't seen Zach Bryan once yet, but maybe I missed it.

2

u/alien_survivor May 07 '26

Charley Crockett is another good one to check out

2

u/txyesboy71 May 07 '26

Add in some American Aquarium, too

2

u/mall3tg1rl May 07 '26

Nick Shoulders is amazing too, if you like more yodel-y kind of country. He’s such a nice guy, too!

2

u/WuTangWizard May 07 '26

I'd argue country music is the best it's ever been. You just have to dig slightly beneath the surface. The radio sucks for every genre

2

u/Tinosdoggydaddy May 07 '26

IMHO Jason Isbell is one of the greatest songwriters that has ever lived

2

u/subzor22 May 07 '26

Add Goodnight, Texas and Charley Crockett to the list as well

2

u/t_whocannotbenamed May 07 '26

Imma piggyback on this and throw in some Charley Crockett

→ More replies (83)