Three thousand country radio stations are beaming into America's heartland as you read this. The format has been growing steadily since the 1980s, and dwarfs all competition. Country is the deep mainstream of white America. Its recently retired king, Garth Brooks, has passed Elvis as the best-selling artist ever. But, ... Continue reading Far from the old country music (Independent) »

Gram Parsons "Gram existed on a different plane." Emmy Lou Harris For: If you like alt-country or the mainstream variety. Influenced by: Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Bob Wills, Hank Williams Sr., Roy Acuff, the Kingston Trio, Merle Haggard. Influenced: Wilco, contemporary country music artists, Neko Case, Elvis Costello. Continue reading Classic rock 101: why dad’s music matters (The Western Courier) »