Boy am I enjoying this.

If you're looking for artists that are keeping the tradition of the Louvins, Hank Williams, and such alive there are a few who are doing quite well. I think Dwight Yoakam knows the territory and stays home most of the time. I also think that Marty Stuart knows and respects his roots. Unfortunately, both of these guys have flirted with POPularity and have done some pandering to the least common denominater. Dwight tends to ladle on the twang at times.

There are a lot of Austin songwriters who also build on the roots of American rural music and early country. There was a band called the O'Kanes (Keiran Kane and Jamie O'Hara, I believe) who did two terrific recordings together that really capture the close harmony singing of the Everly's or Louvin's. Both discs have been cut-out; I actually bought them for $1.00 each from a bargain bin at a place called Rock Records in Chicago. The best $2.00 I have spent in a long time.

Jim Lauderdale and Robert Earl Keen are also excellent. Lauderdale just released an album with Ralph Stanley that is excellent, from what I understand.

Art - It's funny you mention Don Gibson. I met him once out in Reno, Nevada. At the time when I was pushing (or pulling) a five piece country band around the country trying to get recorded, we would occasionally get hired to back fading Nashville singers. One such engagement was with Billy Walker (The Tall Texan), who was an Opry regular in the 60's and was the first to record Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away". We were rehearsing at the hotel/casino (waiting for the star to show up), when in walks **Don Gibson**. Big as life. Just like he looked on the album jacket. We introduced ourselves and had a nice pleasant little conversation about the business. He was doing a show up the street, but he promised to try to catch our act if he got the chance (he didn't). He also told us to remember the fans; that they were the ones who determined your success or failure. He was one of the humblest guys I ever met. All I kept thinking was "this is the guy that wrote 'Oh Lonesome Me' and 'I Can't Stop Loving You' in the same afternoon. What a thrill.