Chris Knight for continuing to crank out music about real people and real lives. For writing songs that dont describe people who live in rural areas as just hard working, Jesus loving, truck driving folks.

Hayes Carll for writing “She Left Me For Jesus” and “Bad Liver and A Broken Heart”.

Randy Rogers Band and Wade Bowen for releasing solid, Red Dirt albums.

Gary Allan for cutting songs that are just cool.

Rodney Crowell for the blistering “Sex and Gasoline”. Perhaps the album isnt the most comfortable listen, nobody in our society wants to talk about the way we objectify young women, but at least he wrote about it in a smart, intelligent manner. It’s no “Houston Kid”, but it’s still solid.

Bruce Robison for writing another batch of songs other artists will record and make into hits.

Jason Boland and The Stragglers for “Comal County Blue”

Miranda Lambert for not only being my dream date, but also cutting really good music.

Jack Ingram for (hopefully) breaking away from the Pop-Country mold with “That’s A Man”.

I am thankful that Patty Loveless follows her heart and stays true to her vision, and in so doing, connects deeply with her fans.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I’m also thankful for Lee Ann Womack because I love Call Me Crazy.