Most of what passes for "Country Music" out of the Nashville machine today is really just pop and rock music with a pedal steel thrown in, sung by somebody who needs to wear a stetson, a big belt buckle and a pair of boots to bolster his cred.

The Nashville labels have a studio of songwriters who churn out most of this plastic dross, producers who can replicate the sound while not in the room and pretty boy singers who are interchangeable.

Austin is the crucible of the Real Deal Country and Western music and more good music is coming out of Austin, and other none-Nashville locales, than ever before.

Americana/Outlaw music is where the soul of country music now resides, not on "country radio" and not on the major labels.

These singer/songwriters (most write their own material) know, appreciate, and have cultivated the true spirit of C&W.

Give these a listen:

Buddy Miller
Jim Lauderdale
Larry Campbell and Theresa Williams
Lucinda Williams
Steve Earle
Milk Carton Kids
Gillian Welch