Alternative country

Alternative country can refer to several ideas. Most generally, any musician that plays a sound unlike the dominant trends in country music at the time plays "alternative country". By this standard, the Bakersfield sound was alternative in the 1950s, for example. More specifically, however, "alternative country" refers to a group of socially aware country singers, often with a strong punk- and hard rock-influenced sound. The roots of alternative country are in 1970s and 80s artists like Steve Earle and Billy Bragg. The genre began in earnest with Uncle Tupelo[?]'s 1990 LP No Depression[?].

Alternative country refers to country bands that play traditional country but bend the rules slightly. They don't conform to Nashville's hitmaking traditions, nor do they follow the accepted "outlaw" route to notoriety. Instead, alternative country bands work outside of the country industry's spotlight, frequently subverting musical traditions with singer/songwriter and rock & roll lyrical (and musical) aesthetics.

Alternative country musicians

• Ryan Adams
• Dave Alvin[?]
• Billy Bragg
• Blood Oranges[?]
• The Cowboy Junkies[?]
• Steve Earle
• Joe Ely[?]
• Geraldine Fibbers[?]
• Freakwater[?]
• Jimmie Dale Gilmore
• Go to Blazes[?]
• Butch Hancock[?]
• Joe Henry[?]
• Jayhawks
• Alison Krauss & Union Station[?]
• Lambchop
• k.d. lang
• Lost Dogs
• Will Oldham[?]
• Palace Brothers[?]
• Scud Mountain Boys[?]
• Shaver[?]
• Son Volt[?]
• Souled American[?]
• Uncle Tupelo[?]
• Townes Van Zandt[?]
• Waco Brothers[?]
• Dale Watson[?]
• Lucinda Williams[?]
• Wilco