11 Country and Americana Up-and-Comers Bringing Neo-Traditionalism Back
The 1980s and '90s were the time for a new, yet old, take on country music: neo-traditional country. Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart and George Strait, among others, were all ambassadors of the down-to-earth brand of music, which drew on traditional bluegrass sounds and down-home themes.
The neo-traditional movement found momentum thanks to a then-up-and-comer named Ricky Skaggs. The artist had cut his teeth playing with bluegrass legends including Flatt and Scruggs, and be brought the twang of old-school country back in vogue, ushering in the neo-traditional style.
These neo-traditionalist artists, in turn, influenced a generation of now-rising stars. Just as they, in the '80s and '90s, kept the genre grounded as pop-country gained in popularity, the acts they influenced are keeping country's classic sounds going, even as they mix in elements of other genres.
Looking for some new names to listen to? Flip through the photo gallery below to see which up-and-comers remind us of which neo-traditionalists.