I say this without any real knowledge but it seems to me it's the glitzy glamour stuff originating out of Nashville that puts me right off country music. However, the "alternate" country music scene (I think thats the term) is great and, to me, is almost like a link to folk music.

Here in Australia we have some great country artists, the ladies, especially, such as Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Jane Saunders, Shanley Dell, et al.

Allan