Since I’m still recovering from yesterday morning’s Turkey Bowl football contest (always remember to stretch AFTER exercising in 30 degree weather, kids) and eating roughly four pounds of food at dinner (the second reason I’ve been walking like an old man all day), I thought I’d give you a little taste of classic, old time Americana music.

When I think of real Americana artists, I think of storytelling songwriters. And when it comes to storytelling songwriters, it gets no better than John Prine. The weathered country western singer has a real knack for writing songs not just with strong messages, but also with a sense of irony and humor (just listen to “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” or “Some Humans Ain’t Human”). Sadly, throat cancer ravaged his voice a few years ago, but he’s found new life with a raspier, more baritone style.

Another of the great American songwriters, J.J. Cale has made a living writing country songs that later became hits for more straight-ahead rockers. “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” went to Clapton, while “They Call Me the Breeze” was Skynydized. Nowadays, you don’t see many talented guitar-based bands pluck quality country songs and make them into rock hits — probably because today’s country musicians would rather just cover lackluster top 40 hits with no noticeable difference other than an obvious put-on southern accent than write something original.

If there is a country songwriter who would be perfect for rock covers, though, it would be Steve Earle, one of Nashville’s most important contemporary voices. Earle is a throwback to the outlaw country singers like Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, singing about the world in a way only he can. He’s had his ups and downs through the years, but he’s stayed relevant, even getting some radio play for the 2007 single “City of Immigrants.”

There’s plenty more artists that have kept the Americana genre alive, from Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams, to Willie Nelson and (at times) Neil Young. Heck, even Led Zep’s Robert Plant got into the game with last year’s duet album Raising Sand with Alison Krauss.

Come back late tomorrow for a look at the artists that are flying the Americana flag into the next decade.

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