The Bittersweets are from San Francisco, and the legendary West Coast bands of the sixties clearly influence their poppy, jangling guitar anthems. Hannah Prater made her name initially as a jazz vocalist in Europe before teaming up with songwriter Chris Meyers and developing the band into a five-piece unit. Long Day is taken from their album The Life You Always Wanted.

Gretchen Peters has become a firm favourite in the UK with her heartfelt vocals and and lush arrangements. Gretchen is of course a major force in songwriting, having written hits for some of the biggest stars in country. Martina McBride's Independence Day is probably Gretchen's best known song. Tomorrow Morning is taken from her most recent studio album Halcyon.

Kevin Montgomery's father is Bob Montgomery, writing partner of Buddy Holly. His musical mother Carol sang the high harmonies on Elvis' Suspicious Minds. But Kevin has chosen the road as his route to success, with hard touring in support of his mix of heart-rending ballads and up-tempo rockers. Tryin' To Fly with One Wing is taken from the new album True.

Jack Sundrud is best known as the 'new boy' in Poco, despite having played bass in the seminal seventies country-rock band for more than 17 years! As well as being an accomplished singer-songwriter, Jack is involved in a number of side projects, including production work. Hard Country is a tale of rural America taken from his album By My Own Hand.

Loomer come from the fertile and creative Canadian music scene. Scott Loomer could be Kurt Cobain singing to a Richmond Fontaine backing, and the band have developed a huge fanbase in the UK following their recent shows over here. Only Lovers is a country duet with guest vocalist Sarah Harmer, taken from their album Songs of the Wild West Island.

Idgy Vaughn is from Austin Texas, and this flame-haired, fun and mischievous singer is making a big impact in a city that knows a thing or two about great music. Idgy is Texan Americana at its best. Her clever lyrics are supported by a remarkable voice, and her infectious personality leaps out of the speakers. Good Enough is taken from her debut album Origin Story.

Emily Barker has managed to merge rootsy Americana with English folk to produce a very special and unique sound. She has wowed crowds and critics twice at the Cambridge Folk Festival, and stood in for Stephanie Arlene on a recent Arlenes tour. Emily comes from Western Australia and This Is How It's Meant To Be is taken from her debut solo album Photos, Fires, Fables.

Angela Easterling is from South Carolina and was brought up in the Smoky Mountains. Giving in to the music she grew up surrounded by, she has produced an album of true old-time country the way it was meant to be played, using mostly acoustic instruments, but with a young, fresh approach. Earning Her Wings is the title track from Angela's debut album Earning Her Wings.

Gina Villalobos suffered a life-changing accident after the release of her debut album, but undeterred at losing part of her sight, Gina went on to produce an even better follow-up CD. Her masterful guitar-based alt.country with her hoarse vocal style brings to mind Lucinda Williams or the power of Tift Merritt. Somewhere To Lay Down is taken from the album Miles Away.

Will Kimbrough is a musician's musician. One of the finest guitarists around, he is one of the most sought after sidemen in Nashville. Having worked with Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider and more, Will has also managed a solo career, and his latest album is a bold and laudable statement about today's political landscape. Brand New Song is taken from Americanitis.

Eric Taylor was a compatriot of the great Texas singer-songwriters Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, but inexplicably never achieved the same success, despite originating the finger-picking guitar style adopted by those luminaries and many others. Eric's Texas blues echoes those of Tom Russell. Manhattan Mandolin Blues is taken from the album The Great Divide.

Paul Burch is US but with unique British slant. John Peel picked up on Burch's talent, and his album was part recorded in Britain under the watchful eye of Mark Knopfler. A big fan of Burch's, Ralph Stanley was also involved. It must seem a long way from the honky-tonks of Nashville's Lower Broad where he learned his trade. Montreal is taken from the new album East To West.

Wayne 'The Train' Hancock is an incredible talent that doesn't pander to modern fads. His music is a journey back in time, conjuring visions of Cadillacs with white wall tyres, roadside diners, juke boxes and the great Hank. You can almost hear the radio crackles on the CD. This is the real deal. Shootin' Star From Texas can be found on the album Tulsa.

Elizabeth Cook is absolute pure country sunshine. Opry ... with an edge. Like her great influence Dolly Parton, she has transcended her sassy and glamorous image, and her sense of humour has an underlying steely sense of knowing exactly what she is doing. Sometimes It Take Balls To Be A Woman is taken from her new album, produced by Rodney Crowell, Balls.

Sunny Sweeney is the latest and greatest artist to take up the challenge of keeping honky-tonk alive. A vibrant, young talent with all the attitude needed to take on the dance halls of Texas ... and win. Top quality and street smart, Slow Swingin' Western Tunes is a Sunny Sweeney original, taken from the album Heartbreaker's Hall Of Fame.

George Jones and Merle Haggard - two giants of country music. There is nothing that can be said here that hasn't already been said more eloquently many times. We are honoured to feature these two legendary figures performing The Hag's classic Footlights. George sings Merle, and Merle sings George on their album Kickin' Out The Footlights ... Again.