Music you didn't like at first... but now?

Hi George,

I know where your coming from. Since I've always loved the Grateful Dead, I began looking at who wrote some of the songs they played. Seems fellers like Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash (although I think JC transcends country music) were on the list. I bought the Old & In The Way album (bluegrass w/ Jerry Garcia on banjo and vocals, Vassar Clements on fiddle etc.) and have been hooked ever since. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", The Byrds' 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo" and Flying Burrito Brothers are great albums. Any recommendations on current or classic country or bluegrass would be much appreciated.

In that video show they mention a double album by GJ; sort of a greatest hits,I guess---That I plan to buy.Since seeing this show I find my self listening to the digital C&W music channels---going back and forth between 'today' and 'classics'. Wish I had one of those HD-recorders.---Funny you should bring up the Dirt-Band Acustic-delux,indeed.Always liked them but don't own any software.---I should mention;I just got my first ever,brand new monoblocks.--Aries-G. My HT-2Ch set up is combined.--Yes, I have a receiver.Marantz sr9300. I use pre-outs for the fronts. Using the receiver for ht I have a White Audio Labs a100. I just keep two pair of ics in place. From the pre-outs I can connect them to the amp of my choice.

I'm with George on the country thing (the real deal not the current radio station poppy stuff). I dove into playing and listening to blues after moving to New Orleans in the mid 80's after leading an earlier life of hard rock and new wave. As age set in and i was exposed to more life and more music I found that the similarities between swing, country swing, country/twang americana, blues and old school rock and roll were far greater than the differences. Now i'm more of a "if it's got soul and sincere playing behind it i'm gonna listen, regardless of the lable attached.

Speaking of country/twang american. Search out the first release from the hacienda brothers for a killer mixture of country (johnny cash tunes are always part of the live shows), blues, south of the boarder and a tinge of rockabilly. The band consists of Dave Gonzalas of the Palidans fame, the paladin's drummer, Chris Gaffny who did a lot of work with Dave Alvin and has an amazing voice, a great bass player and a pedal steel player that'll make ya cry. The song writing is top shelf and the life shows are not to be missed. I have no affiliation with the band this is just promotion of one of the most grooving talanted bands i've seen in a long time. they deserve success.