Grammy's New Category: Americana

By Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY
Will civil war break out when nominees for the new Americana-album Grammy are announced this fall? The field is loaded: Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Wilco,Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello have all released Americana-style albums in the eligibility window. And there are at least a half-dozen Americana acts whose well-received works could earn a nod. USA TODAY looks at a handful of emerging contenders.
Buddy & Julie Miller, Written in Chalk
The sound: Country/soul/gospel duo backed by Buddy's adroit guitar.
Sample tracks:Everytime We Say Goodbye, Chalk, Long Time
Back story: Called the first couple of Americana, the Millers are noted for their solo albums, their songs for other artists (Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless) and Buddy's session work. Their self-titled 2001 album was a contemporary folk nominee.
Leg up: Buddy played guitar behind best-album winners Alison Krauss and Robert Plant on tour.

Son Volt, American Central Dust
The sound: Rugged alt-country balladeers with a touch of The Byrds.
Sample tracks:Dynamite, Cocaine and Ashes, Pushed Too Far
Back story: Leader Jay Farrar helped pioneer alt-country when he and Jeff Tweedy (now of Wilco) were writing partners in Uncle Tupelo in the late 1980s. The band released three acclaimed albums in the '90s, then went on hiatus as Farrar pursued solo projects. Dust is the revived group's (now a quintet) third release in four years.
Leg up: Sobering, downbeat commentary on America's plight seems right for the times.

Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses, Roadhouse Sun
The sound: Driving honky-tonk propelled by cigarette-ravaged vocals and fierce guitars.
Sample tracks:Day Is Done, Change Is, Dylan's Hard Rain
Back story: Hard-living Texan Bingham, 28, has been on his own since his midteens and rode bulls on the rodeo circuit before becoming a troubadour. Major-label debut Mescalito (2007) earned him comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and Exile on Main Street-era Rolling Stones.
Leg up:Roadhouse is easily the most high-energy album in the field, and its sharp lyrics keep pace.

The Flatlanders, Hills and Valleys
The sound: Three distinctive Tex-Mex-inflected voices backed by mostly acoustic instruments.
Sample tracks:Homeland Refugee, No Way I'll Never Need You, Borderless Love
Back story: The Americana supergroup unites Texas-based solo artists Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely (and for this album, Grammy-winning producer Lloyd Maines). Hills and Valleys is the group's first album in five years and fourth studio album in the past 30 years.
Leg up: All three members have either won or been nominated for Grammys.

Justin Townes Earle, Midnight at the Movies
The sound: Sometimes folk, sometimes acoustic blues, sometimes ragtime.
Sample tracks:Mama's Eyes, Someday I'll Be Forgiven for This
Back story: The son of two-time Grammy winner Steve Earle was named for the legendary Townes Van Zandt and has shared both men's appetite for self-destruction. Midnight is his second solo album.
Leg up: Since Earle cleaned up his act, his talent for spare, simple songwriting has drawn Hank Williams comparisons.

Todd Snider, The Excitement Plan
The sound: Snarky, wry, confessional lyrics with spare, bluesy guitar-picking and tinkly piano backing.
Sample tracks:Don't Tempt Me, America's Favorite Pastime, Bring 'em Home
Back story: The 42-year-old has built a national following for his tight, humorous songs. Producer Don Was oversaw this project, and Loretta Lynn chips in with a song and a guest vocal.
Leg up: With nine albums over 15 years, it's time for the man Rolling Stone calls "quite possibly America's sharpest musical storyteller" to reap glory.