I thought I would be the first to mention Suzy Bogguss, but I see pdq beat me to the punch way back in August. As pdq said, the Simpatico album she did with Chet Atkins was terrific - I especially liked their recording of "He's in the Jailhouse Now."

Well, Suzy now has an album out called American Folk Songbook. It's good.

Give her a listen.

I'm also partial to Nanci Griffith, and really liked her two Other Voices, Other Rooms albums. Another is Kathy Mattea, who did a nice collection of mining songs titled Coal.

Tops on my list are Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills, and Cindy Mangsen; along with Sally Rogers. Oh, and Iris Dement - they don't get much better than Iris Dement.

-Joe-