Grover C. McCoury III

Exactly. Would bluegrbutt have taken off with Stringbean-style two finger banjo? Naaah, don't think so. I vote for '46.

Even after it was defined, various people kept trying to blur the line. Look at the country sound coming from Reno and Smiley, Jim Eanes, and Mac Wiseman. Some would also say that Carter Stanley was one of the greatest country singers, and would have probably become well known as same, had he not died before he completely countrified his sound. I'd tend to agree, he was citifying his sound, and it could be said that there would have been a split between the two, with Ralph wanting to stay with the bluegrbutt.

And some damn fine listening, too. The Stanley brothers stuff might be a little "raw" for ears not used to the stuff, they believed in leaving some of the rough edges on, whereas Jim and Jesse and the Osbornes polished them off.

Left off the Country Gentlemen. I don't know that Charlie's recorded much lately, but he's still singing, and doing it well. Without the Gents, you wouldn't have 3TO (I think they're a split-off from Doyle, aren't they?) or the Scene. They also appear to be a seminal influence (along with the Osbornes) on the modern bluegrbutt from nearly everyone in that list, except for Del and the boys.

And Vince Gill.

--

Lane Gray Yes, I'm a minion of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial