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.