Women At Forefront of Country Music Evolution
“Country must evolve” is the way it is sold to the country music public when pop and hip-hop influences are invited into the country music fold. What these folks fail to point out is that country has been trying to evolve for 30 some odd years right under their noses, and instead of incorporating this creativity and innovation into country that could spurn a broadening of the country music tent, these artist who’ve crafted ways to both respect the roots of country yet push them forward have been excommunicated for years to alt-country, and are now being gobbled up by the all-encompassing “Americana” term, robbing country of some of the most premium talent the roots world has to offer.
And when you look at the gaggle of artists that are combining the country roots of the past with the present and future, it tends to be strong, beautiful, and talented women leading that charge. Where the trend started may depend on who you ask. I would point to Emmylou Harris‘s Wrecking Ball era with the atmospheric approach, but I’m sure some other jumping off points could be found. Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Neko Case, and Iris Dement certainly deserve some credit as well. The men of progressive country, like Béla Fleck and the current-era Punch Brothers are impressive specimens of musical aptitude no doubt, but tend to lack the accessibility the women are able to display without compromising artistic expression or prowess.
Many of these women started out as young promising talents, many specifically as musicians, before being forced out by the mainstream country genre that seems to be obsessed with male machismo and the women that pander to it. There are strong women in country no doubt, but in the progressive country world, strong women rule the roost.
Are you looking for true progress and evolution in country music? Look no further than the list of women below.
Sara Watkins
The former fiddle player with Chris Thile (The Punch Brothers) in Nickel Creek, Sara put out an excellent progressive country album in 2012 called Sun Midnight Sun that showcased progressive elements mixed with classic country roots influences, maybe best displayed in the opening instrumental track, “The Foothills.” Sara shined amongst the boys, but away from them, she bloomed.
Amanda Shires
As the gentler half of the Americana super couple with Jason Isbell (I think they also secretly fight crime in their free time), Amanda Shires was a country music fiddle prodigy that veered toward Americana as she matured. Amanda has become a major influence of how to integrate a true love and passion for country’s roots with a new-school, progressive understanding of where roots music is going. You couldn’t take the country out of her voice if you tried, and integrating it with an atmospheric approach to music stimulates sheer wonder.
Kacey Musgraves
With her song “Merry Go ‘Round” stuck in the Billboard charts for what seems like an eternity, and a summer tour coming up with Kenny Chesney, Kacey Musgraves proves that progressive country can be commercially viable if it is only given a chance. Kacey Musgraves gives you hope for country music, and the non-conforminst, non-formulaic music that she composes.
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First Aid Kit
This sister duo from Sweden is an example of how country is missing out on a lot of commercial potential and the possibility of creating beach heads in other countries and cultures. Seen as pop stars in Scandinavia, their ability to conjure up the close harmonic bliss of The Carter Family in songs that still communicate new-school, relevant sensibilities, First Aid Kit can appeal to country fans of all ages.
Rachel Brooke
The “Queen of Underground Country” whose risen with her last album A Killer’s Dream to become one of Americana’s most promising upcoming women, Rachel’s timeless voice could be a tireless resource for country music on her own music, and as a contributor to the music of others. Influenced just as much by Hank Williams and The Carter Family as Tom Waits and The Beach Boys, Rachel Brooke proves there’s still many avenues under the “country” umbrella still left to explore.
Caitlin Rose
Coming from a strong songwriting pedigree (hit maker Liz Rose is her mother), Caitlin Rose and her singular voice is capable of stunning the listener, while their heart is captured by Caitlin’s sincere stories. Steel guitar and a strong country background mixed with influences from the indie rock world create Caitlin’s unique approach that is only limited in commercial success by the power brokers on Music Row letting it through.
Abigail Washburn
Like Amanda Shires and Sara Watkins, Abigail Washburn is a musician first; a master of the clawhammer banjo discipline who steered toward the more progressive side of country as she came up through the ranks. Starting off in the all-girl quartet Uncle Earl on Rounder Records, and then releasing her first solo album Song of the Traveling Daughter produced by Béla Fleck, Washburn is an example of how country instrumentation and a more reserved, intelligent approach can intermix into a sustainable future for country music that integrates more refined listeners.
Ruby Jane
Yet another young female fiddle prodigy who was the youngest invited fiddle player ever on the Grand Ole Opry, she grew up sharing the stage with Willie Nelson, Asleep At The Wheel, and Dale Watson. Ruby has now moved to the more progressive side of the roots world as possibly one of the one of the most-talented violin players in the world. Her potential is endless.
Jolie Holland
The smoky, jazzy, Houston, TX native with a unique voice has an impressive catalog of songs that illustrate the heavy handed, yet spatial mark of progressive country. A founding member of the Be Good Tanya’s, Jolie Holland is the artist other progressive country artists listen to, winning the praises of many of her peers, including fellow ANTI label mate, Tom Waits.
Paige Anderson
Another young, up-and-coming artist whose worth watching, Paige has played for years in her family band Anderson Family Bluegrass as a front person and a flat-picking guitar maestro. Her latest project with her brother and sister called The Fearless Kin just released a new EP. Having played the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and on Chuck Ragan’s “Revival Tour,” Paige Anderson is versatile if nothing else, and when it comes to writing songs, she pulls from a varying tapestry of influences–the mark of the progressive country approach.
Sarah Jarosz
The Austin, TX native has already signed to Sugar Hill Records and been nominated for a Grammy at only 21. A superb talent on the mandolin that can also handle the banjo, guitar, and just about anything with strings, her debut album Song Up In Her Head featured Chris Thile, Stuart Duncan, Darrell Scoot, and Jerry Douglas. Béla Fleck appeared on her follow up, Follow Me Down. An excellent songwriter, Sarah has a bright future in the realm of progressive country.
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Other women helping to evolve country music: Zoe Muth, Lydia Loveless, Lindi Ortega, The Trishas, Kasey Chambers, Brandi Carlile, Star Anna, The Secret Sisters, Those Darlins….
Who are some other women leading the evolution of country?
February 4, 2013 @ 2:58 pm
A few of these singers I haven’t heard before, and will need to give a listen to, but I just haven’t been able to get into Rachel Brooke, Paige Anderson, and Catlin Rose–who seem to be the female singers promoted most on this website.
In the past, you would need to add Cowboy Junkies and Linda Ronstadt to the list of women who helped country evolve. And while I think she is a bit overrated by the NPR crowd, Gillian Welch has certainly made some solid contributions.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:09 pm
Cowboy Junkies is a good one.
I understand there’s a lot of music here some folks may not get into. There’s some of it that I cannot get into. For example I know a lot of people whose opinions I respect greatly who tell me Jolie Holland is the best thing going in music right now. I like a lot of her songs, but some of it is just too fey for me. The point is that if you say that country music needs to “evolve,” I can eliminate one entire gender and give you a dozen examples of country music evolving, and how that evolution is being ignored by the mainstream.
February 4, 2013 @ 2:58 pm
I’d be interested in a review of Lynda Kay. Sure seems like she would fit right in here.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:03 pm
Thanks for the name. I have heard it before but need to get familiar with the music.
February 5, 2013 @ 5:53 pm
Love the Lonesome Spurs album her and Danny B. Harvey put out a couple years ago. I saw them live one even. She’s a good singer.
February 5, 2013 @ 7:29 pm
I’ll have to admit I did not listen to the entire Lonesome Spurs album after your reply, so the following could be off base… It pales in comparison to her album, Dream My Darling.. Filled with real country music tracks like “A World Without You” , “Fly Fly Away”, “Ain’t Good Enough” and “Graveyard Shift” , the entire piece is luxuriously smooth. My personal favorite is “I Don’t Know Why”, chilling.. One of the top female voices in country music.
The Billy Bob Thornton duet is terrible….
February 4, 2013 @ 3:01 pm
“Who are some other women leading the evolution of country?”
I would also give credit to folks like Brigitte London aka Highway Woman and Outlaw Magazine. Brigitte contributes her own talents and she is relentless in getting the word out for all the good musicians/artists.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:06 pm
I would characterize Brigitte London more as an Outlaw, honky-tonk, or traditional country artist, where this list is more about women who’ve taken traditional country and combined it with other influences outside the genre to “evolve” country as some claim needs to happen. At the same time I totally agree that off the stage, Brigitte is doing lots to make sure the music evolves.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:12 pm
I’d add Gillian Welch and Sarah Jarosz to the list.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:15 pm
Gillian Welch is on there at the top as one of the women that influenced this movement. Sarah Jarosz is an EXCELLENT name and I’m kicking myself so hard for not remembering her I think I will add her up there right now.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:17 pm
Sorry Trigg, I stonered away your Gillian Welch mention. I really shouldn’t smoke weed this early in the day.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:12 pm
I’m not sure she fits into this definition, as she’s more of a force of nature than a genre, but Molly Gene One Whoaman Band http://mollygene.org is fantastic, and puts on one of the most powerful live shows I’ve ever seen.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:26 pm
Molly Gene is great, but she’s more blues than country, and more traditional than progressive. She just doesn’t really fit the point I’m trying to prove here.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:28 pm
I had the pleasure of seeing Amanda Shires play live and wow was she excellent. From a more tradtional country approach. Amber Digby has some good stuff out there in the market place.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
Great list.. Gonna have to check out a few of these I haven’t heard yet. What about Lindi Ortega? Your thoughts on her? Also, despite their crossover appeal, I think the Pistol Annies make some great music.
February 4, 2013 @ 4:52 pm
Love Lindi Ortega but I would consider her more of a traditional or neo-traditional artist than a progressive artist.
What I was trying to do here was give examples of artists who take new, fresh approaches to what could still be considered “country” music. When people like Blake Shelton say that kids don’t want to hear “old” music, it implies a number of things. What I wanted to prove is that you don’t have to write a song with a hip-hop beat just to make it “evolve,” that there are more creative ways of doing this, and that it has been going on in country for years, it’s just been ignored by the mainstream that believes this music can’t be marketed to the masses.
Lindi Ortega would be an example of an artist who is purposely trying to make her music sound old, which you and I might appreciate, but to someone saying the music can’t sound like it did 50 years ago, it only gives more fuel to the fire.
Here’s my review of her last album: https://savingcountrymusic.com/lindi-ortega-breaks-out-with-cigarettes-truckstops
February 4, 2013 @ 8:08 pm
I understand what you mean. Although Lindi does try to make her music sound old, I think there are some elements in her music that would qualify her for this list… maybe not as much as those mentioned above though. Anyway, I love this site man. Keep up the great work..I’ve learned about so many artists on here.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:36 pm
Another woman that would fit well on this list is Lydia Loveless.
http://lydialoveless.com/
February 4, 2013 @ 5:01 pm
In my opinion, Lydia is a little too edgy, sort of more punk gone country then what I was getting at, but I can see her on the bubble so I will add her at the bottom. Thanks for the suggestion!
February 4, 2013 @ 9:05 pm
Lydia Loveless is my personal favorite female artist. Not really punk sounding at all to my ears.
July 18, 2015 @ 7:52 am
I saw Lydia Loveless once in a small club and was bored to tears. She played half a set with her band then sang some more lousy nothing songs solo with her out of tune guitar. When she was done she just stopped and walked away. What a waste of cover charge!
If this is “edgy”, then I worry about Country music.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:48 pm
I played some Caitlin Rose for a friend who, in her own words, “hates country music” and my friend didn’t seem to mind it too much. A few weeks later she asked me who the singer was that did the Cigarettes song was and she ended up buying the album for herself. Caitlin could get so huge with the right exposure. Bringing in people who don’t even think they like country music.
February 4, 2013 @ 4:57 pm
I see people talk about music as gateway drugs all the time, like if teenage girls listen to Taylor Swift then all of a sudden they may get into Hank Williams because they like listening to “country.” This theory rarely pans out, but with this group of artists, it can because there music usually doesn’t have that hard twang or the Southern accents that tend to turn some folks off on country. That’s what makes them so important to support. I don’t think even Caitlin Rose considers herself country, but she’s more country than most of what you will find on the radio.
February 5, 2013 @ 5:58 pm
Caitlin Rose is pretty awesome. I’ve never heard lyrics like hers. They are so unbelievable. Her song For The Rabbits amazes me in the way that I can’t figure out how someone would write such good true lyrics. It’s crazy.
February 4, 2013 @ 3:51 pm
i’ve only heard one of their albums and i don’t even know if they’re still together, but crooked still (Aoife O’Donovan on vocals) are AMAZING. their “still crooked” record is a haunting, blugrass/americana masterwork
February 4, 2013 @ 4:58 pm
Thanks, we’ll check them out!
February 4, 2013 @ 4:19 pm
you forgot me on your list, jackass
February 4, 2013 @ 4:42 pm
Well uh, “Lindi” I did remember to include you on this one:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/2012-saving-country-music-album-of-the-year-nominees
And the reason I didn’t include “you” here is because I would consider you much more of a traditional or neo-traditional artist than a progressive one. Nonetheless, if you can explain to me how you’re currently touring the east coast but your comment originated in California, maybe I will consider a revision. 😉
February 5, 2013 @ 1:09 am
dang it, I scrolled all the way down to say something about not seeing you on the list..but you beat me to it!
oh well, I recently introduced my band and a bunch of my friends to your music, and they’re all really loving it! thanks for making the music you do!
February 4, 2013 @ 4:20 pm
Although not *pure* Country, Stacie Collins is worth a listen….MEAN MEAN Harmonica player….real Jason & The Scorchers type sound…probably due to the fact her husband, All Collins, is the bassist for Jason & The Scorchers….I’ve tried to book her for Night Of Honky-Tonk Angels and she’s willing but always seems to be on tour elsewhere, so the planets haven’t aligned for that
February 4, 2013 @ 4:42 pm
I would add Elizabeth Cook, Cary Ann Hearst, Megan Mullins, Lydia Loveless, Valerie June in here somewhere also. Maybe not all prodigies, but all have that combination of old and new.
February 4, 2013 @ 5:11 pm
I almost included Elizabeth Cook here, but the question I asked myself with each artist is if they were more traditional, or more progressive. Since the charge is that this music “sounds old” I wanted to find artists that sound new, that still play “old” instruments or still incorporate “old” modes into their music, but would not immediately sound old to new ears. For me, Elizabeth Cook is more of a traditionalist.
Cary Ann Hearst is interesting. She exists now in the Americana world, but sonically she really belongs in the underground. I mention Shovels & Rope to underground folks and they look at me funny, when the only thing keeping her out of their music world is that she isn’t in their “scene” so they’ve never heard of her.
I need to check out Megan Mullins.
February 4, 2013 @ 8:18 pm
I think Megan Mullins would be awesome if she would quit playing for everyone else and come out with more of her own music.
February 4, 2013 @ 4:51 pm
This is a great list and makes me feel good for the future, these are also all young artists that have a good future ahead of them.
Could see adding Eilen Jewell, Kristen Scott Benson, Sierra Hull and Kelly Willis to the list.
February 4, 2013 @ 5:13 pm
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check them out!
February 4, 2013 @ 8:27 pm
Big ups to Eilen Jewell. She’s awesome, but not really country.
February 4, 2013 @ 4:52 pm
Surprised by Jolie Holland being on this list. I must have the wrong album by her then because the one I have is most definitely not country in any way, but a good artist none the less.
I was hoping to see Tift Merritt on this list, for someone that reminds me so much of Emmylou, she never seems to get any love anywhere.
February 4, 2013 @ 7:37 pm
Tift Merritt is at the top of my list to check out.
I agree Jolie Holland is sort of a stretch, but you see her name associated so much with the others, I felt it was appropriate to include her here.
February 4, 2013 @ 5:17 pm
Among the slightly older generation – Julie Miller. Her health has kept her from performing for several years (I believe she has a degenerative or autoimmune disease of some sort), but her songwriting deserves more recognition beyond being Buddy’s wife.
Great list , including a couple I need to check out. I second the mention of Elizabeth Cook, though like Ortega maybe she is more traditional?
February 4, 2013 @ 5:48 pm
In love with Caitlin Rose. So insanely talented.
February 4, 2013 @ 6:08 pm
All good ones. Some of these probably push the limits of “progressive,” but I’d include Lydia Loveless, Eilen Jewell, Zoe Muth, Neko Case (could argue this started with her, too), Kathleen Edwards, and hey how bout the Dixie Chicks?
February 4, 2013 @ 8:01 pm
Neko definitely was a beginning influence. I though about he last night but forgot to add her name.
February 4, 2013 @ 11:13 pm
I can’t say enough about Neko Cases two great albums blacklisted and Furnace room Lullaby. i was instantly attracted to everything about these two albums: the tip-top musicianship, evocative and compelling lyrics and of course superb singing. Even the album covers were thought provoking. I discovered Neko while still living in Phoenix during a time when I was still into rock. later I would move here to Casper Wyo and in a quest to find music we could all stand at my job i began to look deeper into country. If it had not been for Neko i would not have started that journey because my opinion of country was what i had heard on the radio , which was crap. Neko gave me hope that there were other true “artists” out there that were making great music,… in a country flavor. without her i would have missed out on some of my favorite music of the last 6 years. Some of that I owe to this site as well, willie tea, PPJ , JB Bev an others have all been treasures.
February 5, 2013 @ 5:56 pm
From that same era, I would put Shelby Lynne’s I Am Shelby Lynne (one of my all time favorites) and Identity Crisis right in there, too. I don’t care what kind of music people claim to like, they’ll probably enjoy these albums.
February 4, 2013 @ 6:44 pm
One of my favorites is Zoe Muth (with her band The Lost Highrollers). She might be more traditional than progressive but if you haven’t heard her she is an amazing song writer. Her most recent EP is mostly cover songs but her first two albums are great. She’s apparently moving to Austin now so I hope she starts to get more recognition.
February 4, 2013 @ 9:03 pm
Zoe Muth is a good one.
February 4, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
I seen somewhere today Miranda Lambert saying she wants to do duets with Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift because women need to stick together and the young females are non-existent right now in country music..I guess she hasn’t heard of these ladies.
btw,how about Lilly Hiatt,Bonnie Bishop,Kasey Chambers and maybe even The Trisha’s?
February 4, 2013 @ 9:04 pm
Kasey Chambers is a good one! I’m also giving into peer pressure and adding The Trisha’s though I think they’re pretty traditional. I need to check out Lilly Hiatt,Bonnie Bishop, and Lilly Mae Rische. I see Bonnie Bishop’s name a lot.
February 4, 2013 @ 8:17 pm
I’d add The Trishas and Brandy Zdan out of Austin and Sarah Pirkle out of E. Tennessee.
February 4, 2013 @ 8:25 pm
Also anyone familiar with Lilly Mae Rische formely of “Jypsi”? Hell of a singer/fiddler.Haven’t heard much about her since they dis-banded though
February 4, 2013 @ 9:01 pm
Um.. Well, ya, I somewhat agree.. Alot of the GOOD music you hear on CMT is just amazing. Taylor Swift, Reba mcentire, Carrie Underwood, and all the other woman. their sound is WAY more polished and perfect. Like, I try to get into all these other singers, or writers, but how can i say this.\: thier music is dull or something. isnt polished. and people WANT POP country! why cfix something that isnt broken?? just say’n-
February 4, 2013 @ 10:32 pm
You’re entitled to your perspective, and it is just that. Where you say, “polished” others might say, “sterile”. Where most of the dissatisfaction stems from, in my opinion, is the unwillingness on the part of Nashville to risk giving other talented artists a shot. Very few, if any of the major labels seem interested in taking a chance in anything other than what sells. It’s that view point that sucks any real artistry out of the entire endeavor. Again, this is just a view point of a very vocal minority.
February 5, 2013 @ 8:43 am
Hey Critique,
Their music is more polished and ‘perfect’ because it’s all tracts and pre recordings, auto tuned and lip syncing. Someone like Zoe Muth can actually sing live in a normal voice instead of belting or screaming and play live and sing on pitch without all the flashing lights and dozens of background musicians to cover up the fact that they can’t really sing or play. And, the lyrics, WOW. None of the repetitive mind numbing “ah oh, ah oh’ junk. Maybe you think that edited, recorded tracks with shiny sexy dresses and flipping hair mean better music. Maybe all you’ve ever heard is music on TV and think that American Idol is a real talent show. To each their own.
February 5, 2013 @ 4:43 pm
How is performing live not a real talent show? The artist who made the best country album of 2012 competed on American Idol. Like any talent show, some contestants have more talent than others.
February 6, 2013 @ 2:10 pm
Well, ya, I think Lionel Richie won some “country” award too.
February 6, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
That wouldn’t surprise me but I agree with Trigger’s reviews of 100 Proof and Tuskegee. And it stinks that a R&B/pop/AC artist can get so much time on country award shows and the best country album(s) of the year can’t get any.
February 5, 2013 @ 4:39 pm
Well there’s polished and there’s too polished = overproduced, pop production. I expect overproduction in pop music and can’t stand it in country. I like raw, live sound and don’t like vocal effects, alterations or synth. Take the artists you mentioned, I strongly prefer their least polished songs and albums. For example country fans hated Taylor’s WANEGBTA, then her next single with far less polish or pop production hit #1 on the country radio polls. Real music critics complain about pop overproduction on country albums. When you try to fix what ain’t broke you break it.
February 4, 2013 @ 10:26 pm
I already like some of these gals (particularly Kacey Musgraves, Ruby Jane, and Paige Anderson); I’ll have to check some more of your other picks, too… 🙂
Though she’s not a young artist like the ones you listed, my favorite artist in country right now is Laura Cantrell.
I’ve already mentioned her 2011 Kitty Wells tribute at least once or twice on this site. But I think her three preceding LPs (2000’s ‘Not the Tremblin’ Kind,’ 2002’s ‘When the Roses Bloom Again’ and 2005’s ‘Humming By the Flowered Vine’) probably do a better job of demonstrating what you’re talking about — both respect for country’s past and a willingness to progress the genre. You can check out some rarities and choice album tracks here:
http://www.lauracantrell.com/downloads.asp
I especially recommend “Cellar Door” (from her 1996 debut EP), “Churches Off the Interstate,” her cover of Joe Flood’s “All the Same to You,” and her cover of Lucinda Williams’ “Letters.”
February 4, 2013 @ 10:39 pm
you are WRONG!!! Ok.. MAYBE you are somewhat right.. If you were to recomend me ONE of these woman “Musicians” mentioned in this article, who should I check out. ?
February 5, 2013 @ 6:38 am
caitlin rose
February 5, 2013 @ 12:20 am
I checked them out. Some I liked, some I did not. I want to hear some ladies bring back the carter family style stuff. The guitarist in my band is always blasting the carter family and I love it. I love iris dement I will say. I’m a big John prine fan and they’ve done a lot of performing together.
February 5, 2013 @ 1:03 am
I was really surprised not to see Lindi Ortega on here, but these other artists are phenomenal… I’d really liked the Anderson Family Bluegrass music you’d talked about before, but the song on here just blew that out of the water in my personal opinion.
also, the First Aid Kit song was just great.
thanks again trig!
February 5, 2013 @ 1:03 am
I was really surprised not to see Lindi Ortega on here, but these other artists are phenomenal… I’d really liked the Anderson Family Bluegrass music you’d talked about before, but the song on here just blew that out of the water in my personal opinion.
also, the First Aid Kit song was just great.
thanks again trig!
February 5, 2013 @ 3:50 am
No one has mentioned Amber Digby – The Queen of Texas Honky Tonk Music
February 5, 2013 @ 9:40 am
Love Amber Digby, but anyone known as the “Queen of Texas Honky Tonk” would not qualify as making music that sounds new. This is not a list of cool independent female artists, this is a list to attempt to prove that there are artists out there that DON’T sound like “grandaddy’s music” yet still respect the roots of country. Artists like Amber Digby, Lindi Ortega, Eilen Jewel, etc. etc. would prove the exact opposite and defeat the purpose. It doesn’t mean their music is not good, and as a whole I would rather listen to their music than to some of the artists listed above. The point is when someone like Blake Shelton says that country needs to “evolve,” to prove that country music IS trying to evolve, but that music just happens to not be getting any attention from the mainstream.
Not to pick on you Per Kammersgaard, but I’m a little frustrated that almost 60 comments in, and folks are still treating this post as a “Where’s Waldo” exercise looking for omitted names. I asked for folks to give some other examples and that’s great, but really any of the names of artists is secondary to the point that if we are to win the battle against people like Blake Shelton, we have to fight them on all fronts. If there are music fans out there that say, “I don’t want to listen to my grandaddy’s music,” and trust me, they are out there, then we have to make sure those people know that there’s an alternative to the mainstream out there for them as well, with music that still respects the roots, and does not insult their intelligence by being watered-down, formulaic crap. We must drive this point home. We must not let them lie to people by saying that everything not mainstream in country is “grandaddy’s music.” Unlike the mainstream of country, independent country offers choice. That is what this article was about. The names and the music are just secondary examples.
February 7, 2013 @ 5:53 am
I might be wrong, but I don’t see Amber Digby’s music as Grandfathers Music – her
newest album has several, new original songs, done with respect for the the way the pioneers did it. And Miss Leslie is another great female artist, that I don’t think was ever mentioned around here. She’ll soon release her second album of original songs.
Those two ladies are just doing what Justin Tubb asked them to – Let’s not make it different, let’s just make it better.
And by the way, when doing a search on SCM for Darrell McCall, Tony Booth and Curtis Potter, nothing came up – makes me wonder, if this is the right place to be….?
February 7, 2013 @ 11:30 am
Look, as I said before, I sort of picked on your comment to make a broader point. Nobody is saying Amber Digby doesn’t have some progressive songs, and I personally wasn’t calling her music “Grandfather’s Music.” I was making a point by trying to put myself in a different perspective. Furthermore, nobody ever said this article was meant to be a complete and unabridged list of independent female country artists. I was using female artists to make a specific point about the progression of country music, and honestly your comments are an example of why a prejudice against traditional and neo-traditional artists exists.
And Miss Leslie is another great female artist, that I don”™t think was ever mentioned around here.
I said this once, and I’ll say it again, this is note about “great female artists.” Read the first part of this article.
And by the way, when doing a search on SCM for Darrell McCall, Tony Booth and Curtis Potter, nothing came up ”“ makes me wonder, if this is the right place to be
And I could list dozens of names that have received coverage on this site that you have never heard of. Does that make you a bad fan? Of course not. That’s just the nature of the glutted music world we live in, and how we’re all limited by our reality tunnels. For 5 years I’ve been having my balls busted for never having heard of some local artist who it would be impossible to hear about otherwise. I work 50 hrs. a week on this site for no pay. If you see a hole in the coverage here, help me. Make suggestions, not stabs at my legitimacy by offering up fey names. Offer to send me these artist’s music. Reach out to the artists and tell them they should send me their stuff. Volunteer to write a review for one of them, and I’ll consider running it on the site. I get 15 albums sent to me every week from people taking the initiative to receive coverage. There were names in this article that had never been mentioned on this site before. I am doing the best I can. If you don’t think it’s good enough, then give suggestions, offer help. But if you think you’ll find a better site covering this type of music, best of luck.
February 5, 2013 @ 3:56 am
…..and what about Miss Leslie Sloan and Dottie Jack……
February 5, 2013 @ 5:20 am
Crooked Still is another excellent band in the progressive vein. More folk than country but with bluegrass and jazz elements in their music, they are some of my favorite ear candy.
February 5, 2013 @ 7:46 am
Glad to see you at least mentioned Kasey Chambers.
February 5, 2013 @ 9:06 am
Trigger you forgot Brandi Carlisle, Her last album “Bear Creek” had alot of country influences in it. “Raise Hell” is amazing
February 5, 2013 @ 9:22 am
Brandi Carlile is a good one!
February 5, 2013 @ 12:23 pm
Do you guys think Shires and Isbell will eventually make a full-on duet album? I think it would be interesting as it might push Jason Isbell towards more of a traditional sound, i.e. Codeine. He’s always been more of a folksy southern-rocker while Amanda Shires comes more directly from country music, and I think the combination could turn out really well. Curious what everyone else thinks.
February 5, 2013 @ 1:27 pm
Star Anna is quite good as well.
February 5, 2013 @ 8:49 pm
Good one!
February 5, 2013 @ 2:30 pm
Music Critique showed her true colors. Why argue with these people, like seriously.
February 5, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
Yeah, saying country has to “evolve” is trying to justify making it pop. The accurate term would be exclude or destroy as in exclude or destroy country for pop and rock. If there’s little or no country in the music that ain’t evolving, that’s switching or selling out to other genres. George Strait should release “Twang” to pop radio and say pop music has to evolve.
February 5, 2013 @ 10:29 pm
I’m going give a holler for Bonnie Montgomery as a new female voice that I think is just swell.
And while more bluegrass than country I’ll also give a holler out for The Carolina Chocolate Drops, they are also swell.
And Abigail Washburn is divine.
Good stuff.
February 6, 2013 @ 11:11 pm
First Aid Kit’s song “Emmylou” was just featured on “Nashville”, along with another prominent song by Ashley Monroe, who should definitely be on this list.
February 12, 2013 @ 9:34 am
Great quote from Richard Thompson from a recent interview with Jewly Hight on CMTEdge.
“You have to love the tradition that you come from or the tradition that you decide to latch onto. I mean, these days, more and more people learn music from an iPod. You can grab music from anything anywhere in the world. But I think it”™s important to embrace the music of where you come from, and I come from English and Scottish traditional music. That”™s where you start, and that”™s the basis of what you do. Once you have a firm foundation in that, then you can go anywhere. You can be as contemporary as you like. You can bring other elements into your style. It”™s still built on this firm foundation that gives your music its own unique characteristics. I write contemporary songs because I live in the contemporary world, and I write about what I see and what I do. But the roots are still there.”
http://www.cmtedge.com/2013/02/08/richard-thompson-plugs-back-in-for-electric/
February 12, 2013 @ 11:50 am
I’ve been trying to convince myself otherwise, but I think Holly Williams’ new album The Highway might be awesome.
June 16, 2013 @ 4:54 pm
Dear Trigger..
There is a comment on this post that was supposedly written by me, I just want to say that it was not ME who posted that. I would never call you a jackass or be rude to someone who has been so supportive to me and music. I don’t know who posted that comment, but if I guess it doesn’t take much for someone to post my name here and pretend to be me. Anyways..please know this is indeed me posting here now and to whoever posted pretending to me be.. that’s pretty lame. If I have something to say, I will say it myself.
cheers
lindi
June 16, 2013 @ 10:52 pm
Lindi,
No worries whatsoever. I was pretty sure it wasn’t you, and decided instead of deleting it, letting the person know that I have ways of finding out if they are real or not in hopes of discouraging the practice in the future.
But since they were impersonating you, I have no problem taking the comment down if that is what you wish.
And even if you had called me a jackass, I’ve been called, much, much worse. I’d just take it in stride ;).