On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 06:32:29 GMT, Wargamer Scott

My own recommendation is that you start with the relatively new stuff and work your way back in time. I'm basing this on the fact that the Dirt Band is your introduction; I do not think the newer bands are better than the older ones.

"Bluegrbutt Rules" and "Ancient Tones" by Ricky Skaggs.

Practically anything by the Seldom Scene, the Country Gentlemen, the Bluegrbutt Album Band, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (especially their gospel stuff, where they really shine),

The older stuff from Allison Krauss.

Both Jim & Jesse and the Osborne Brothers are older bands, but neither are "old school". I'm sure you'll enjoy them too.

Doc Watson. 'Nuff said. :)

And if you want to twist it a little bit, get "Down the Old Plank Road" and "Further Down the Old Plank Road" by The Chieftains. These guys are primarily a Celtic band, and in these two CDs they explore the Celtic roots of American country music. Really good stuff.

Oh... movies:

"O Brother, Where Art Thou?" "Cold Mountain" "Songcatcher" I loved the soundtrack CDs from the first two (it's a good thing you can't wear out a CD the way I used to wear out vinyl albums), but for the third, don't waste your money; the "Songcatcher II" CD was (IMHO) much, much better.

-- Michael DeBusk, Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place