It got me to a-thinkin' that CBC Radio 3 probably plays more "crossover" country music than you might realize, in various forms, from the old time hurtin' country, to cowpunk, to alt-country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and my favourite: outlaw country.
Here's my Top 5 Favourite Canadian Country Crossover Artists:
1. Corb Lund
(Photo: Alexandra Valenti)
No one is doing pure country music better in this country, as his latest album Cabin Fever proves. And he's the real deal, too: before playing music he was a bull rider in Alberta.
2. Lindi Ortega
(Photo: Julie Moe)
It's all about that beautiful voice... and those little red boots. Lindi's other secret might be her versatility. How many other artists do you know who have successfully toured with Social Distortion, Keane, and kd lang?
(Photo: provided by artist)
This shaggy rocker's music is the definition of down, dirty, and unapologetic outlaw country. He went from being a roadie for Hot Hot Heat when he lived in Victoria, to the Canadian answer to Steve Earle in his adopted hometown of Lethbridge.
4. The Sadies
(Photo: Amanda Schenk)
This long-running, very hard touring band is a roots-rock-chameleon, but most of their tunes have a very obvious classic country twang. And they have their own set of Nudie suits!
5. Blue Rodeo
(Photo: Dustin Rabin)
Blue Rodeo were alt-country before the genre existed, and Jim Cuddy clearly has more Western-style shirts in his closet that the entire provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan combined. This is their 25th anniverary year.
Honourable mention: One Hundred Dollars, Carolyn Mark, Del Barber, Ridley Bent, Whitehorse, Daniel Romano, Nudie and the Turks.
This brings me to my...
Poll Question of the Day:
WHICH SIDE OF THE FENCE DO YOU SIT ON WHEN IT COMES TO COUNTRY MUSIC?
Do you like it? Loathe it? Who is your favourite Canadian crossover country music artist? What do you think of "new" country?
Let me know your thoughts by commenting on our blog, or tweeting @grantlawrence or @cbcradio3, or you can email me: grant.lawrence@cbc.ca. Listen to the conversation and country music today on Grant Lawrence Live, noon ET / 9am PT on CBC Radio 3.
Related Links:
Listen to Blue Rodeo's first five albums
Dolly Parton slot machines to be revealed at gaming expo
Take this job and shove it: the early careers of country musicians
2012 Canadian Country Music Award Winners