Music

Plenty of decent country before the 1990s. Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Ray Charles, the Statler Brothers, Mel Tillis, Roy Clark, John Denver, Willie Nelson. Later country artists with pop sensibilities like Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Reba McIntire.

I'd argue that Roy Clark ranks as one of the most talented American guitarists/banjoists of the 20th century, easily in the same class as Jimi Hendrix or Prince.

Today, look for specific types of country music (e.g. Bluegrass) to find more authentic stuff, or just bite the bullet and listen to stuff with different genre labels like "Americana" and "Folk". A lot of good modern country music ends up in those genre classifications because the marketers can't figure out how to fit it into the stadium country ecosystem.

John Prine

Not much of a country music listener but I've really liked Townes van Zandt, namely because of a tribute album made by various members of sludge/post-metal bands like Scott Kelly, Steve von Til and John Baizley. It's more on the introspective and melancholic side but I think it's also a bit different from a lot of other recommended artists/bands on this thread.

Ween has 12 Golden Country Greats.

Chris Stapleton, Whiskey Myers, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, The Highwomen, Sierra Farrell, Turnpike Troubadours, Trampled By Turtles

Some of the classics beyond cash and dolly, I'll exclude the more countrypolitan stuff, these are mostly more honky tonk, also some modern people

Hank williams (all three of 'em) merle haggard, willy nelson, waylon jennings, kris Kristofferson, Buck Owens, wayne hancock, Orville peck, marty robbins, nick shoulders

Bluegrass earl scruggs, osborne brothers, ricky skaggs, billy strings

Gothic? Bridge City sinners, rhiannon Giddens, Amigo the Devil, Shawn James

I will always love Willie Nelson. A great human being, and amazing singer and guitar player, and one of the best country songwriters ever.

Red Headed Stranger is just such an amazing album. I’d recommend that first. It’s a concept album, and it’s really beautiful and sad.

I also recommend Townes Van Zandt as others have here. A really haunting singer. Waiting Around To Die is amazing. Maybe the first song about lean ever.

I'll second Sturgill Simpson and add some others, some of which are definitely more country-adjacent: The Cactus Blossoms, Jason Isbell, Orville Peck, Shakey Graves, Punch Brothers, and The Milk Carton Kids.

The Petersons a very wholsome and talented family blue grass band. They are one of Bransons biggest attractions going. They do their own music , but cover many popular songs across all genres of music on thier youtube channel.

The Girls are all lead vocals, and their brother matt sings lead ocasionally Katy (fiddle), Ellen (banjo), Julianne (mandolin), Matt (guitar, Emmet (dobro), Karen "mom" (Bass).

They are obviously a christain family and sing gospel blue grass, but it was their Cover of The Beatles - Here comes the sun sung by Julianne the youngest daughter that really got me into them. Their music is diverse and targets a wide audience.

Heres a couple of my favs but their entire channel is one of those you'll be compelled to keep clicking through

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF5emO1X0HA Here Comes the Sun- (Beatles cover)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skWKV8VzLUA Mamma Mia (ABBA cover)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUwy8lpvP0 LandSlide - (Fleetwood Mac Cover)

Sierra Ferrell

https://youtu.be/c8c6BTVMP64

https://youtu.be/rV7y38wVTv0

Kassi Valazza

https://youtu.be/qzjflwmZUto

https://youtu.be/jqurNAmFCtQ

YouTube channels

Western Af and GemsOnVHS

Also

Rev peyton's big damn band

https://youtu.be/A5jRmiK1D3M

https://youtu.be/7qkjbQBEhvg

Since you mentioned bluegrass, I'm particular to Trampled by Turtles but you also can't go wrong with Union Station.

The Highwaymen

the ultimate country supergroup: Johnny, Willie, Waylon, and Kris. Highly recommend their live album, American Outlaws .

John R. Miller

his newest album, Heat Comes Down, is maybe a little less straight-up country, but it is excellent songwriting.

Colter Wall

Western Swing & Waltzes; Little Songs

Wilco - in the early years, they had some more "traditional" country sounds A.M.

As others have said, you can't go wrong with John Prine or Townes van Zandt.

Bonus NRPS, Gram Parsons, and Merle Haggard

Reba McEntire! Love me some Reba
Alabama are another favorite of mine

Mary Chapin Carpenter is great too
The Judds
Loretta Lynn
Hank Williams Sr.
Kenny Rogers
Rosanne Cash
Waylon & Willie, baby (Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson)
Brooks & Dunn
Charlie Daniels Band

In a more modern iteration, I've been really enjoying The Dead South recently

Sons Of Perdition is a good dark/gothic county. https://youtu.be/dltCg75ZumI?si=UkVMcB906b1ajF3Z I also like Nick 13, he is the lead singer/songwriter and guitarist of the psychobilly band Tiger Army. He did some solo country stuff. https://youtu.be/HtYGegYvGZg?si=CvdkxAbqIbNq5fzG

Robbie Fulks is great.

• Rhiannon Giddens
• Neko Case's earlier albums (Furnace Room Lullaby, Blacklisted) -Steve Earle