Lesson Six: Different Types of Country

Alt Country

More of this Feature • New Country • Alt Country • On to Lesson Seven Related Resources • Lesson 1: What Type of Country Is For You? • Lesson 1: Roots of Country: Carter Family & Jimmie Rodgers • Lesson 1: WSM Barn Dance: Roy Acuff • Lesson 1: Cowboy Sound: Gene Autry & Roy Rogers • Lesson 2: Bob Wills: King of Western Swing • Lesson 2: The Birth of Bluegrass: Bill Monroe • Lesson 3: Hank Williams and Honky Tonk • Lesson 3: Elvis and Rockabilly • Lesson 4: Nashville Sound • Lesson 4: Country Rocks • Lesson 5: Outlaw Country • Lesson 5: New Traditionalists • Lesson 6: New Country • Lesson 6: Alt Country • Lesson 7: Glossary A-H • Lesson 7: Glossary I-K • Lesson 7: Glossary L-R • Lesson 7: Glossary S-Z • Lesson 8: Country Tour Dates • Lesson 8: Where To Buy Tickets & Fan Club Info • Lesson 8: Country Video Channels • Lesson 9: Merchandise A-F • Lesson 9: Merchandise G-M • Lesson 9: Merchandise N-S • Lesson 9: Merchandise T-Z • Lesson 10: Free Country DL - Clipart, Wallpaper, Winamp Skins, Screensavers • Lesson 10: Free Country Downloads - Themes, Gift Tags, Bookmarks Elsewhere On The Web • No Depression • Insurgent Country

Daring to be different

There will always be artists that don't confirm to the norm. Such is the case with artists considered to be alt country or alternative country. They aren't contemporary, but more traditional, for the most part. Some even have a variety of influences. We'll break it down into sub-categories.

No Depression

This sub-category was based on country rock, and is filled with an edgier sound of electric guitars. Most bands release their music on small independent labels.

No Depression Music Suggestions:

The Jayhawks:

• Rainy Day Music
• Blue Earth

Wilco:

• A.M.
• Summer Teeth

Call it Retro

Retro Country has lots of twang, and hails back to the pre-Nashville Sound days.

Retro Country Music Suggestions:

Junior Brown:

• Guit With It
• Mixed Bag

Big Sandy and his Fly Rite Boys

• Jumping from 6 To 6
• Swingin' West

They sing, and they write

These singer/songwriters are very traditional sounding. They have a more acoustic sound.

Singer/Songwriter Music Suggestions:

Lyle Lovett:

• My Baby Don't Tolerate
• Anthology Vol. 1: Cowboy Man

Steve Earle:

• Transcendental Blues
• Copperhead Road

Bruce Robison:

• Wrapped
• Country Sunshine

Charlie Robison:

• Life of the Party
• Step Right Up

Kevin Welch:

• Kevin Welch
• Don't Cheat Life Down Here On Earth

Add a dose of culture

Some of the smaller sub-genres include Cajun, Conjunto, Tejano, and Zydeco music. Cajun music is the high-spirited, syncopated music of French-speaking Acadian people from the bayou region of southwest Louisiana. Conjunto originated in the Rio Grande Valley during the late 1800s, and blends Mexican folk music with polka and waltz rhythms. Tejano is based on traditional Mexican music. Zydeco is a hard-driving electric music that is part of both Cajun and Creole cultures. It is sung in French, and has a mixture of blues and African influences.

Cajun Music Suggestions:

Jimmy C. Newman:

• The Happy Cajun
• Whatever Boils Your Crawfish

Doug Kershaw:

• Best of Doug Kershaw
• The Crazy Cajun Recordings

Eddy Raven:

• Greatest Country Hits
• Cookin' Cajun

Conjunto Music Suggestions:

Flaco Jimenez:

• Partners
• Best of Flaco Jimenez

Texas Tornadoes:

• The Texas Tornados
• Hangin' by a Thread

Tejano Music Suggestions:

Emilio:

• Life is Good

Los Super Seven:

• Los Super Seven

Zydeco Music Suggestions:

C.J. Chenier:

• Too Much Fun
• The Big Squeeze

Buckwheat Zydeco:

• Menagerie: The Essential Zydeco Collection
• The Buckwheat Zydeco Story: A 20 Year Party

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