+1, what Johnny said. Surfing the way-out satellite stuff is a good start, especially for folks far from top 40 drivel.
Tune into WDVX, "East Tennessee's Own Listener Supported Public Radio". All the peeps involved in running the station are great- the radio station actually started in a one-axle camping trailer at a campground in Norris, TN. They've turned me onto more good music than I can tell. (Most of youn's will have to get the webcast on your 'puters, but you'll be glad you did...)
Blues: Motor City Josh, his most recent recording is a tribute to Howlin Wolf. Kickass!! Hard to remove from one's CD player once loaded in...
Jazz- Esperanza Spalding. This lil cutie pie OWNS the acoustic bass, sings like an uncaged bird, and writes some PHAT jass arrangements. Also addictive.
Blues Guitar: Ana Popovic, "Still Making History". Best blues guitar chops this side of Susan Tedeschi, mebbe a little more technically proficient. Fun to look at too, but INCREDIBLE to see her live. From Yugoslavia.
Brendon James Wright and the Wrongs. Great music, every single track cooks. Native Tennessean.
Chris Knight. Check out "Love and a .45" and "William"- an absolutely phenomenal songwriter.
Blue Mother Tupelo. They used my dounbek drum in their newest recording, roots folk, Micol is the next best thing to Janis Joplin. Native Tennesseans also.
Ben Prestage, one man band, plays several cigar-box guitars and JAMS.
Scott H. Biram, one man band also, multi-talented artist (GREAT posters if you can get 'em). Get on his emailing list, he plugs a bunch more great bands.
Danny Barnes and Thee Old Codgers, "Things I Done Wrong". Warped countrygrass, killer lyrics, and the guys on this recording will sandbag you with their chops- many tracks give a hint of classical training and symphonic arrangements. Great CD! Also see The Bad Livers.
Bonepony. Nashvillians, roots stomprock/Americana, great guys.
Bill Frisell, "Gone, Just Like A Train". Guitar genius, think Mark Knopfler on shrooms.
I may think of a few more later...
(Message edited by 86129squids on August 27, 2009)
The Red Elvises. They are your Favorite Rok-n-Rol band.
(though if you are a cult cini fan you know they did the soundtrack and had cameos in Six String Samurai) Lade Da Cha Cha Cha, Lets have a party on the Beach.
If Black Sabbath was formed in Southern California and sang about cars, girls, drinking, and getting high, this is exactly what they would sound like. If you like any three or more of the things on that list, you owe it to yourself to take a listen.
King of the Road, Eatin' Dust, and California Crossing are my favorites albums of theirs.
"Live and Undead" is a live recording made at the Grey Eagle in Asheville NC on Halloween- this HAD to have been an off-the-hook show to see! Great CD, youn's should get it. Saw him live at the Shed recently, didn't know what to expect, absolutely BLEW ME AWAY. Serious guitar chops and a twisted sense of humor...
I did some video work for these guys a few years back, I have been hooked ever since.
Family Force 5 (often abbreviated FF5, formerly known as The Family and The Brothers)
FF5 is from and was formed in Atlanta Gerogia. The three leading members of the band, Soul Glow Activatur, Phatty and Crouton, are sons of Jerome Olds, a Christian artist from the late 1980s.
FF5 uses elements of rap, post-hardcore, alternative rock, punk rock, and club oriented crunk, electropunk, electronica and nu metal with positive, party lyrics in their music.
Saw them last weekend after riding to Eureka Springs Arkansas. If you like country, Texas country, Red Dirt, bluegrass etc then check them out. None of the youtube videos sound good but they sound very good in person. Here is the myspace link.