List of alternative country musicians

This is a listing of bands and musicians in the alternative country genre.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Contents: 

• Top
• 0–9
• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

0–9

• 16 Horsepower ^[1]

A

• Ryan Adams ^[2]
• American Aquarium
• Jill Andrews ^[3]
• The Autumn Defense ^[4]

B

• Backyard Tire Fire ^[5]
• Del Barber ^[6]
• Eef Barzelay ^[7]
• Bear's Den ^[8]
• Rico Bell ^[9]
• Ryan Bingham ^{[10] [11] [12]}
• Blitzen Trapper ^[13]
• Blue Rodeo ^[14]
• Bosque Brown ^[15]
• The Bottle Rockets ^[16]
• BR549 ^{[17] [18]}
• Jim Bryson ^[19]
• Richard Buckner ^[20]

C

• Caitlin Cary ^[21]
• Neko Case ^[22]
• Rosanne Cash ^[23]
• Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen ^[24]
• Cross Canadian Ragweed ^[25]

D

• Jesse Dayton ^[26]
• The Deep Dark Woods ^[27]
• The Devil Makes Three ^[28]
• Tanya Donelly ^[29]
• Divorce (band)
• Drive-By Truckers ^[30]

E

• Steve Earle ^[31]
• Tim Easton ^[32]
• Carrie Elkin ^[33]
• Elliott Brood ^[34]
• Alejandro Escovedo ^[35]

F

• Jay Farrar ^[36]
• Fifth on the Floor ^[37]
• Rosie Flores ^[38]
• Paula Frazer ^[39]
• Freakwater ^[40]
• Kinky Friedman ^[41]
• Robbie Fulks ^[42]

G

• Mary Gauthier ^[43]
• Giant Sand ^[44]
• Golden Smog ^[45]
• The Gourds ^[46]
• Green on Red ^[47]
• Grievous Angels ^[48]
• Patty Griffin ^[49]
• Nanci Griffith ^[50]
• The Guthries ^[51]
• Sarah Lee Guthrie ^[52]

H

• Hacienda Brothers ^[53]
• Wayne Hancock ^[54]
• The Handsome Family ^[55]
• Thomas Hansen (aka Saint Thomas) ^[56]
• Hazeldine ^[57]
• Patterson Hood ^[58]

I

• I See Hawks In L.A. ^[59]
• Jason Isbell ^[60]

J

• The Jayhawks ^[61]
• Jolene ^[62]

L

• Legendary Shack Shakers ^[63]
• MJ Lenderman ^[64]
• Jenny Lewis ^{[65] [66]}
• Graham Lindsey ^[67]
• The Little Willies ^[68]
• Lucero ^[69]
• Lydia Loveless ^[70]
• Lyle Lovett ^[71]

M

• Carolyn Mark ^[72]
• The Mastersons ^[73]
• The Mavericks ^[74]
• Chris Mills ^[75]
• Milton Mapes ^[76]
• Elizabeth Mitchell ^[77]
• John Moreland ^[78]
• James McMurtry ^[79]

N

• Nick 13 ^[80]

O

• Old 97's ^[81]
• Old Crow Medicine Show ^[82]
• Mark Olson ^[83]
• Lindi Ortega ^[84]

P

• Gram Parsons ^[85]
• Joe Pernice ^[86]

R

• Rattlesnake Gunfight
• Reckless Kelly
• Richmond Fontaine ^[87]
• Jason Ringenberg ^[88]
• Bruce Robison ^[89]
• Carrie Rodriguez ^[90]
• Roman Candle ^[91]
• Justin Rutledge ^[92]
• Matthew Ryan ^[93]

S

• Scud Mountain Boys ^[94]
• Son Volt ^[95]
• Souled American ^[96]
• Split Lip Rayfield ^[97]
• Jesse Sykes ^[98]
• Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter ^{[99] [100]}

T

• Tarnation ^[101]
• Tim Gerard ^[102]
• Billy Bob Thornton ^[103]
• Three O'Clock Train ^[104]
• Tres Chicas ^[105]
• Jeff Tweedy ^[106]
• Two Cow Garage ^[107]

U

• Ugly Casanova ^[108]
• Uncle Tupelo ^[109]
• Suzie Ungerleider (aka Oh Susanna) ^[110]

V

• Townes Van Zandt ^[111]

W

• The Waco Brothers ^[112]
• Water Liars ^[113]
• Waxahatchee ^[114]
• Wednesday ^[115]
• Gillian Welch ^[116]
• Whiskeytown ^[117]
• Whispertown 2000 ^{[118] [119]}
• Wilco ^{[120] [121]}
• Lucinda Williams ^[122]
• Kelly Willis ^[123]

Y

• Dwight Yoakam ^[124]

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "16 Horsepower – Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 3 September 2016.
2. Deming, Mark. "Ryan Adams – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
3. "Jill Andrews". Music City Roots. 2011. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
4. Smith, Lisa M. "The Autumn Defense – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
5. Leggett, Steve. "Backyard Tire Fire – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
6. Keating, Dylan S. (6 May 2014). "Del Barber". BeatRoute Magazine . Retrieved 5 December 2016.
7. Hopkin, Kenyon. "Eef Barzelay – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
8. Monger, James Christopher. "Bear's Den – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
9. Huey, Steve. "Rico Bell – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
10. Zuel, Bernard (5 April 2016). "Ryan Bingham makes country music you can still feel". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
11. Schwartz, Greg M. (22 October 2012). "Ryan Bingham: Tomorrowland". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
12. Guerra, Joey. "Getting to the point with alt-country's Ryan Bingham". Chron.
13. Hopkin, Kenyon. "Blitzen Trapper – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
14. Huey, Steve. "Blue Rodeo – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
15. Leggett, Steve. "Bosque Brown – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
16. Ankeny, Jason. "The Bottle Rockets – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
17. Huey, Steve. "BR5-49 – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
18. "BR549". Trouser Press. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
19. Deming, Mark. "Jim Bryson – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
20. Thomas, Fred. "Richard Buckner – Surrounded". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
21. Hage, Erik. "Caitlin Cary – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
22. Huey, Steve. "Neko Case – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
23. Chilton, Martin (30 September 2023). "Best Alt.Country Musicians: 9 Essential Artists" . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
24. Risen, Clay (September 30, 2021). "George Frayne, a.k.a. Commander Cody, Alt-Country Pioneer, Dies at 77". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved October 2, 2021.
25. Birchmeier, Jason. "Cross Canadian Ragweed – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
26. Wood, Roger (September 23, 1999). "Local Rotation". Houston Press. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
27. Leggett, Steve. "The Deep Dark Woods – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
28. Anderson, Rick. "The Devil Makes Three – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
29. Grow, Kory (October 2006). "Abridged Too Far | Reviews in Brief". CMJ New Music Monthly. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
30. Lankford, Ronnie D. Jr. "Drive-By Truckers". Contemporary Musicians. Retrieved 2 May 2022– via Encyclopedia.com.
31. Chilton, Martin (30 September 2023). "Best Alt.Country Musicians: 9 Essential Artists" . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
32. Johnson, Zac. "Tim Easton – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
33. O'Brien, Jon. "Carrie Elkin – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
34. Monger, Timothy. "Elliott Brood – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
35. Bush, John. "Alejandro Escovedo – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
36. Deming, Mark. "Jay Farrar – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
37. Leggett, Steve. "Fifth on the Floor – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
38. Manheim, James. "Rosie Flores – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
39. Raggett, Ned. "Paula Frazer Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-07-19. Moody alt-country singer/songwriter
40. Huey, Steve. "Freakwater – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
41. Staff. "A little traveling music, if you please". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
42. Huey, Steve. "Robbie Fulks – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
43. Kunoff, Kim Reick. "Mary Gauthier – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
44. Ankeny, Jason. "Giant Sand – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
45. Larkin 2006, "Golden Smog".
46. Layne, Joslyn. "Grievous Angels – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
47. Sullivan, Denise. "Green on Red-Artist Biography". Allmusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
48. Wahlert, Brian. "Grievous Angels – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
49. Chilton, Martin (30 September 2023). "Best Alt.Country Musicians: 9 Essential Artists" . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
50. Chilton, Martin (30 September 2023). "Best Alt.Country Musicians: 9 Essential Artists" . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
51. Larkin 2006, "Guthries".
52. Hage, Erik. "Sarah Lee Guthrie – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
53. Deming, Mark. "Hacienda Brothers – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
54. Huey, Steve. "Wayne Hancock – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
55. Sturges, Fiona (3 May 2014). "The Handsome Family: A marriage made in gothic". The Independent . Retrieved 19 August 2017.
56. Deming, Mark. "St. Thomas – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
57. Cartwright, Garth. "Hazeldine – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
58. Deming, Mark. "Patterson Hood – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
59. Leggett, Steve. "I See Hawks in L.A. – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
60. Milano, Brett (29 February 2016). "Fuse Music Review: Jason Isbell, Laid-Back — More Country Than Country-Rock". The Arts Fuse . Retrieved 21 November 2016.
61. Ankeny, Jason. "The Jayhawks – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
62. Ankeny, Jason. "Jolene – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
63. Vahle, Shane (20 October 2011). "Interview: Mark Robertson". Bass Frontiers Magazine . Retrieved 1 May 2022.
64. Haddad, Michael. "A Conversation With: MJ Lenderman" . Retrieved 3 September 2024.
65. Scott, Clara (25 March 2019). "Jenny Lewis puts her whole heart 'On the Line'". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
66. "Jenny Lewis – On The Line". Clash. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
67. Hage, Erik. "Graham Lindsey – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
68. Larkin 2006, "Little Willies".
69. Lane, S. Nicole (17 September 2019). "Alt-country band Lucero are still undoubtedly rock 'n' roll". Chicago Reader . Retrieved 2 May 2022.
70. Deming, Mark. "Lydia Loveless – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
71. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Lyle Lovett Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 2023-07-19.
72. Ankeny, Jason. "Carolyn Mark – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
73. Leggett, Steve. "The Mastersons – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
74. Staff (December 3, 2010). "RAUL MALO: 'I'M NOT IN THE MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MUSIC GAME ANY MORE'". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2023-07-25. the Grammy Award-winning alt-country Mavericks.
75. Larkin 2006, "Mills, Chris".
76. Fulton, Katherine. "Milton Mapes – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
77. Mason, Stewart. "Elizabeth Mitchell – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
78. Collar, Matt. "John Moreland – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
79. Huey, Steve. "James McMurtry – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
80. Edmund, Matt (August 15, 2011). "NICK 13 – S/T". Verbicide Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-10. Mark my words, Nick 13 will become a heavy hitter in the alternative country arena if he continues down this solo path.
81. Leahey, Andrew. "Old 97's – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
82. Monger, James Christopher. "Old Crow Medicine Show – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
83. Johnson, Zac. "Mark Olson – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
84. Deming, Mark. "Lindi Ortega – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
85. "Gram Parsons – A Fallen Angel". Guitar. 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
86. Deming, Mark. "Joe Pernice – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
87. Deming, Mark. "Richmond Fontaine – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
88. Jurek, Thom. "Jason Ringenberg – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
89. Ankeny, Jason. "Bruce Robison – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
90. Birchmeier, Jason. "Carrie Rodriguez – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
91. Brown, Marisa. "Roman Candle – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
92. True, Chris. "Justin Rutledge – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
93. Wilson, MacKenzie. "Matthew Ryan – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
94. Wolff, Kurt. "Scud Mountain Boys – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
95. Deming, Mark. "Son Volt - Artist Biography". Allmusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
96. Ankeny, Jason. "Souled American – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
97. Ankeny, Jason. "Split Lip Rayfield – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
98. MacNeil, Jason. "Uncle Tupelo – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
99. Larkin 2006, "Sykes, Jesse, And The Sweet Hereafter".
100. MacNeil, Jason. "Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
101. Ankeny, Jason. "Tarnation – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
102. "LISTEN: Tim Gerard's "Waterloo"". 3 December 2022.
103. Staff (September 24, 2001). "BILLY BOB THORNTON: PRIVATE RADIO". PopMatters . Retrieved 2023-07-19. The most appropriate description of Thornton's music is probably "alternative country"
104. Murphy, Sarah (29 June 2016). "Ford Madox Ford and Three O'Clock Train Team Up for Canadian Tour". Exclaim! . Retrieved 31 March 2017.
105. Apar, Corey. "Tres Chicas – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
106. Hage, Erik. "Jeff Tweedy – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
107. Deming, Mark. "Two Cow Garage – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
108. Larkin 2006, "Ugly Casanova".
109. Ankeny, Jason. "Uncle Tupelo – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
110. Huey, Steve. "Oh Susanna – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
111. Wolff, Kurt. "Townes Van Zandt – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
112. Deming, Mark. "Waco Brothers – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
113. Thomas, Fred. "Water Liars – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
114. Barr, Natalia (15 February 2024). "Everyone's Making Country Music Now. This Singer's Americana Is Homegrown" . Retrieved 3 September 2024.
115. Poe, Jim (30 September 2023). "Wednesday's Rat Saw God: Southern Gothic country shoegaze played with exhilarating intensity" . Retrieved 3 September 2024.
116. Chilton, Martin (30 September 2023). "Best Alt.Country Musicians: 9 Essential Artists" . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
117. Huey, Steve. "Whiskeytown – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
118. Hodgson, Jaimie (26 January 2009). "Whispertown 2000 – Jenny Lewis' Favourite Alt-Country Balladeers". NME. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
119. Ericson, Colleen A (16 April 2009). "The Whispertown 2000's harmony and rough edges from a spectrum of sources". Michigan Live. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
120. "Wilco: Schmilco, PopMatters". 12 September 2016.
121. Myers, Darryl (17 April 2013). "The 10 Greatest Alt-Country Bands Ever". Dallas Observer . Retrieved 6 March 2018.
122. Chilton, Martin (30 September 2023). "Best Alt.Country Musicians: 9 Essential Artists" . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
123. Woronzoff, Elisabeth (12 June 2018). "'Back Being Blue' Is Alt-Country Singer Kelly Willis' Welcomed Return to Solo Music". PopMatters . Retrieved 16 November 2019.
124. Elder, Bruce (October 21, 2006). "Dwight Yoakam". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-07-19.

Bibliography

• Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-1953-1373-4.