Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Florida kid who turned American rock into a craft.
Petty wrote three-minute songs the way Hank Williams wrote three-minute songs — with no fat and a melody you couldn't shake. The Heartbreakers were as tight as any band of their generation. From 'American Girl' to 'Wildflowers' he kept showing up, kept getting better, and kept refusing to be anything other than who he was.
- The Byrds
- Bob Dylan
- Elvis Presley
- Stevie Nicks
- Bob Dylan
- Traveling Wilburys
Pull the thread
USA · 1944 — 1997
Townes Van Zandt
The patron saint of the kitchen-table songwriters.
USA · 1953 — present
Lucinda Williams
Louisiana made audible.
USA · 1978 — present
Sturgill Simpson
Walked into Nashville with a haircut and an attitude.
USA · 1991 — present
Tyler Childers
Appalachia, unfiltered and unembarrassed.
USA · 1988 — present
Sierra Ferrell
Sings like she found the songs in a creek bed.
USA · 1984 — present
Charley Crockett
Keeps the bones, throws out the gristle.
USA · 1979 — present
Jason Isbell
Wrote 'Southeastern' and meant it.
USA · 1983 — present
Margo Price
Outlaw country with a working-class spine.