Jimellow

All my life, I have pretty much been into rock and rap, and classical to a much lighter degree. Living in the Northeast, I was never really exposed to country, and it always seemed to be a music genre that was "distant" to me, so I never really pursued listening to it.

However, I would like that change that, and expose myself to country music to see if I enjoy it or not.

I'd really appreciate it if you all could recommend some good country singers/groups, as well as specific albums that stand out above the rest. I want to listen to the good stuff first, so I am able to give the genre the best shot I can.

If possible, I'd prefer newer recommendations, however "Classics" are also fine. Pretty much anything you consider to be good country music, and would recommend to others looking to expose themselves to the genre.

Thanks!

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guthmund

I don't listen to too much modern country, aside from the occasional twanging it sounds too much like generic pop for me.

That said...

Patsy Cline has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard and her singing "Walking After Midnight" is one of my absolute favorites.

On the other side of that coin, I like Don Williams voice as well. It's just so smooth and relaxed. I know that sounds stupid, but that's what I came up with.

Willie Nelson is also a favorite of mine, but his impromptu picking has a tendency to get annoying. Not that I don't appreciate fine improvisation, but sometimes it throws the song off.

If you want real deep from the hills country music, I like Ralph Stanley and to lesser extent Dan Tyminski, you might have heard his stuff in O' Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

There's a bit more, but I'll end with this.

This is kind of embarassing, but from the modern stuff, I kind of like Diamond Rio. The songs aren't that great and have a tendency to sound like the 'generic pop' I mentioned, but they can sing although they get a bit carried away a bit.

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martinguerre

sorta depends on if you want old school or not.

i'm a bluegrass, gospel, close harmony kind of country man...i listen to Ralph Stanely, The Louvin Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Allison Krause, and Johnny Cash and that sorta stuff.

newer...honestly, i'd watch the CMT charts, and get some Garth Brooks. Friends in Low Places may be one of the best ballads about being a failure ever written.

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yatzr

i've listened to plenty of country in my life
my favorite singers/groups:
Alan Jackson
Big & Rich - more modern pop country, but I still like it
Brad Paisley
Brooks & Dunn
Clint Black
Diamond Rio
Dierks Bentley
Garth Brooks - nobody can NOT like Garth Brooks
George Strait - I garauntee you've heard at least 5 of his songs and don't know it
Joe Diffie
John Michael Montgomery
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney - more on pop sid of country
Mark Chesnutt
Montgomery Gentry
Rascal Flatts - newer pop country
Tim McGraw
Toby Keith - he's got both older (what I consider regular) country and newer pop country
Travis Tritt

and of course some of the older guys
Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr.

Although they're all considered country, there's still different groups of common sounds though. The older guys sound nothing like the new stuff. I personally like a lot of the country from the early-mid 90's...but that could just be because I grew up listening to it with my dad.

Almost all of those people have greatest hits albums you can check out. If you're having trouble finding some "samplers" , pm me.

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Daniel_

Johnny Cash, American Recordinngs 1-4

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djtestudo

Couple suggestions from a big country fan.

First, start with music that sounds more like what your used to. Go with people/groups like Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Pat Green, Brooks & Dunn, and Big & Rich to start. That's what happened to me; my sister hooked me on Garth Brooks and I never looked back.

Try listening to it on the radio first. A lot of it will be crap, but there's some good stuff out there, and it will let you find people you like before you spend money.

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Lockjaw

Cross Canadian Ragweed,Cooder Graw, Waylon Jennings are my faves.