If you guys like the older country, give a listen to Roy Drusky's "Jody and the Kid". It was the very first song written by Kris Kristofferson, while he was a janitor at the record company next door.
I always liked Ronnie Milsap, though he was a crossover artist with a lot of his music.
We can't forget Charlie Pride either. He really broke a lot of new ground. Ahhh... Kiss An Angel Good Morning, Crystal Chandeliers, Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger, I Wonder Could I Live There Anymore... now that's country music...
As for bluegrass, now we're talkin'! Probably my favorite bluegrass group is IIIrd Tyme Out (pronounced as Third Time Out). They can do the real oldies as well as the "newgrass" sound. The reason for the strange sounding name is the three original members of the band each have been a part of two other big bluegrass bands, and were already famous.
Hence, it's their 3rd time out...
Some of my favorites of theirs include, Across The Miles, Raining In L.A., Grandpa's Mandolin, The Letter To Home, and, A Cold Summer Day In Georgia, just to name a few...
Of course, no true topic of country music would be complete without mentioning the ties to Gospel music. I think every country or bluegrass singer that has ever been, has put out at least one Gospel album... Some really close ties...
Good topic guys...