why do you folks always forget country

Jimmie Dale Gilmore was part of the Texas dustbowl kids, I think they were called the Flatlanders, along with Joe Ely and Butch Hancock. Gilmore is the most artsy of the bunch, I think--he has impeccable taste in covers, but his voice is an acquired taste. Along with Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt and others, he formed the Austin/western sound to a certain extent.

i like will oldham too.

and as for non-alt country, i love johnny cash and hank williams. and (moment of confession) i like some of leeann rimes' songs.