A Walk in The COUNTRY

I heard Hank III's Cattle Callin on satelite radio and a following interview with him. Very interesting.

Plan on buying that cd soon. I have just recently listened to Outlaw Country and have enjoyed several artists.

Tom Russell. His early work with the Tom Russell Band is my favorite era but he continues to put out excellent cds.

Jerry Jeff Walker. I'd recommend only his early work, up through "Ridin' High".

I don't know if either sound like Jamey Johnson, though, because I've never heard him.

Some others worth looking into:
Joe Ely
early Steve Earle
Billy Joe Shaver, especially the band Shaver with his (now deceased) son Eddie on guitar
Dwight Yoakam
Ray Wylie Hubbard

and anyone with an interest in country music should get familiar with Emmylou Harris. I'm sure she doesn't sound like Jamey but man is she good.

There are many that fit the songsmith traits listed, but few can be classified as outlaw country.

Davis Allan Coe would fit the bill but be aware that his song content may be objectionable to some. I would start with 'Rides Again'.

Too many great Waylon records to list, but the one I have played the most is 'Live'.

Merle Haggard should also be at the top of the list. As genuine as it gets. Wrote a good chunk of his earlier stuff while in prison at San Quinton. Anything from the 60's through the 70's is a winner.

And the real-deal country outlaw without a doubt is Johnny Paycheck. Look past the "take this Job..." and delve deeper into his catalog. His songwriting came from real life experiences and sings em like he means it. Was convicted of shooting a guy in a bar fight and later pardoned by the governor. Anything up until about the mid-eighties. He cannot be beat in this category IMO.

One of the best things about DAC, Haggard, Paycheck is that they wrote a good portion of their own songs.

Hope this helps. Mike

gram parsons, butch hancock, jerry jeff walker, bobby bare, joe ely, early earl thomas conley.

Thanks--these are all great suggestions. I have a bunch of Merle, but many of the names you all mentioned are new to me. I liked Mofimadness's suggestion about Pandora. Just got a trial subscritpion to MOG, and I'm really digging it--listening to David Allan Coe Radio which is bringing up many of the above mentioned names! I'll go on a CD spree next weekend and let you know what I get!