A couple of singers and songwriters who stopped at the Country fame station: Mary Chapin Carpenter started out as a folkie in Washington, DC, playing Kramer's Books and Music while folks ate and browsed books. Then she went electric and country. Wrote a fun song about the Twist and Shout -- a club my friend Carol took me too in the 80s. Now she's back as a singer/songwriter. Was she ever gone? Nah -- just re-categorized.
Kathy Mattea is another one. Used to be a popular country singer before Faith Hill and Shania Twain and their mutants took over. Now that fame has blown over, more gorgeous songs with her rich voice. I really loved Lonesome Standard Time and Willow in the Wind.
Dolly Parton is a country star gone bluegrass. I just love her songs and her unorchestrated voice, guitar and banjos. I always loved Coat of Many Colors and Jolene