@Craig Manning One of my favorite discoveries from your list? Ben Danaher's album "Still Feel Lucky" - it feels more western, than country, if you know what I mean. It's not overtly country, but it def feels like it comes from the west, music that fits ranch life, big landscapes, rolling fields, etc. I really vibe with this
That song kills me. I don't know if you've read up on him at all, but that song is basically about his brother getting shot and killed right in front of him by an irate neighbor who was angry about a noisy party. The case got national attention and the shooter ultimately was convicted and went to jail for life. Around the same time, Ben's dad died of cancer. So he really had gone through hell on the way to writing that album, and you can really hear it in the songs.
Dang, that's a hell of a story; yeah I can see now how that could inspire such a well-crafted and inspired album
Looks like a pretty slow release day. I have to plug Jeff Crosby, a local Idaho artist (now lives in Nashville). New album out today.