Old friend looking for acoustic folk inspired music

tostadosunidos,
I came across Milk Carton Kids when NPR played some music during an evening session. They remind me of Simon Garfunkel. Very good music. I am looking more into older folk like Joan Baez, etc. This genre is fairly new to me. I also liked Hatful Of Rain that I picked up recently.

Tift Merrit is a real gem, but I have to admit, I was a "UGE" fan of the period when she performed with the band featured on the Home is Loud album. Saw them at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA. Not the best acoustics, but what a great combination of rockin’ out and ballads. She came out w her band and they had the lights up and after they turned them down she observed that it was "a little sexier, a little more rock and roll" and tore up the place.

None mentioned Doc Watson even folks from North Carolina, but I will.
He's a true spirit and sole of blue grass and great finger picker.

The line between Folk, Hillbilly, and Bluegrass is not real clear. It's hard to know what someone else is thinking of when they say Folk. At one time it even included Rev. Gary Davis, Leadbelly, and Mississippi John Hurt.

John Hartford.  The man was magical.

Check out two concert movies inspired by two Coen Bros. films--"Down from the Mountain" (O Brother, Where Art thou) and "Another Day, Another Time" (Inside Llewyn Davis).  Lots of possibilities therein.