I have heard recent claims that Americana was firtst tried by KFAT, a tiny FM station in central California.

Although basically a Country station, they might play Hank Williams, Leo Kottke, Carl Perkins, Kate Wolf, the Grateful Dead, Merle Haggard followed by Gabby Pahinui doing "Hawaiian Cowboy" and Utah Phillips doing "Moose Turd Pie".

You always knew that a bunch long-haired hippies were in there spinning the discs.

The station made little money and lasted from 1975-83, but re-broadcasts can be found on the KPIG website.

I first heard of "Ramblin' Jack" Elliot, Utah Phillips, Mary McCaslin, Jill Crosston* and a few others by way of KFAT.

No, I think Old Time (aka Old-Timey) means about the same as it did when the New Lost City Ramblers were doing it.

*now known as Lacy J. Dalton