Who Are The Top Five Unsung Heroes of Americana Music?

So large is the field of Americana as a genre, it's hard even to define what this music actually is.....I have my own ideas and I believe a lot of people do also. I'd love to hear your thoughts on who were the key innovators in the establishment of what we've come to call Americana.  I have a list of five, but I'd like to read yours first!  

Views: 4014

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Arlene on August 10, 2011 at 1:59pm
In my view, the names of "the top five unsung heroes of Americana music" are different from the names of the "key innovators in the establishment of what we've come to call Americana." For example, Buddy Miller is a key innovator, but he's hardly "unsung."
Permalink Reply by Terry Roland on August 10, 2011 at 2:46pm
Good point. My assumption is that the 'unsung heroes' are also 'key innovators.'  For example, Yank Rachell, the blues mando player, may be considered a key innovator in bringing the instrument to a different style. He's also unsung or unknown in the mainstream Americana world. So, maybe we define or what I'm looking for as five people who made a huge difference(instrumentalists or singer-songwriters) who are unsung/unknown to the majority. You're right, Buddy Miller is much appreciated. But, there are others who aren't....Tut Taylor also comes to mind.
Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on August 10, 2011 at 2:50pm

Jeff Finlin

Bob Delevante

Stephen Simmons

Donal Hinely

Josh Ritter

 

Permalink Reply by Unkle Sherman on August 11, 2011 at 6:27am
KPIG radio
Permalink Reply by wipster on August 13, 2011 at 1:13pm
10-4 on that Unk! I'd have to say KPIG basically invented the formula!
Permalink Reply by wipster on August 13, 2011 at 4:09pm
And of course, it's pre-web predecessor, KFAT... that was truly the start of the genre that would be coined Americana.
Permalink Reply by Dennis Self on August 11, 2011 at 1:33pm
It's a hard choice. Since they are singers none of them is unsung. However, right now these five voices count: Hayes Carll, Jason Isbell, Patterson Hood, Ryan Bingham and Unknown Hinson.
Permalink Reply by Terry Roland on August 11, 2011 at 1:39pm
I probably should clarify...by, 'unsung' I'm thinking metaphorically for underappreciated or more directly, unacknowledged.    
Permalink Reply by Hal Bogerd on August 11, 2011 at 1:58pm

Roger Miller

Buddy Miller

Buddy Ebsen

Kiki Ebsen

Kiki Dee

Jon Dee Graham

Okay, that's nonsense but it was kind of a fun way to add Jon Dee Graham to the list.

 

Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on August 11, 2011 at 2:34pm

Buddy Ebsen 'oil that is'?

 

Kiki Dee ? unusual that one

Permalink Reply by Hal Bogerd on August 11, 2011 at 4:14pm

Fair enough Andy but I challenge you to connect Buddy Ebsen with Jon Dee Graham in a purer Americanacentric Kiki-free method! 

 

Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on August 11, 2011 at 10:54pm
Buddy played vibes and some vocals on 'Hooray For The Moon'

RSS

Sponsors


If you enjoy this site please consider helping us with a small donation!

Don't like PayPal? Mail a check to: No Depression, PO Box 31332, Seattle, WA 98103

When you shop at Amazon please enter through this search box and No Depression receives a referral fee

Notes

FAQ

Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by No Depression Sep 24, 2012.