Although I named one of my dogs George Jones, my favorite country singer is probably Merle Haggard. “It’s Been a Great Afternoon” is my favorite song of his right now, if only because I played it for a non-country-fan friend of mine and his reaction was, “This song makes me happy inside,” and I tend to agree with that.
“Rocky Mountain Music,” Eddie Rabbitt
“Ode to Billy Joe,” Bobbie Gentry
Pretty much everything C. W. McCall ever did (minus some of the cheesier stuff, but my definition of “cheesy” in his case is pretty accommodating).
“El Paso”
“Sixteen Tons”
Several things by Johnny Cash
I also have a soft spot for ‘70s "truckin’ songs." I’m not a big country fan and don’t like most modern country, but the older stuff isn’t bad if I’m in the right mood.
For me, it is Rocky Top! I have as many versions I could find. Lynne Anderson does a great job and has just the right accent, but the one by Phish is not so great.
I think this is the only state song which seems to advocate the murder of a federal agent.
The Kinks - Muswell Hillbilly
Even though I think George Jones is way up there with Ray Charles and Aretha, props to the Hag 'Swinging Doors"
Too hard to pick a favorite. Thumbs up to people who gave it up to Don Williams and the whole Bob Wills/Al Stricklin/Tommy Duncan band (and the other iterations which were also great – I wish I practiced hard enough to get Stricklin’s groove down for solo piano down…it’s a kickin’ style!)
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Heh, “swangin’ doors.” 
That is a great Haggard song.
Today, at any rate, it’s Set 'em Up, Joe (Vern Gosdin). I think I’ve listened to it about 20 times. Oh, here’s a link to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGMDbOZlQfE
Holy crap! That one gave me the shivers, even before the story in the lyrics began to unfold…
I was just listening to some Hag here at work tonight. I think that my favorite of his would have to be Sing Me Back Home. It reminds me of all of the places and times that music can transport you to.
(Sorry, no link, I can’t access one from work.)
Strangely enough, it was ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic who first turned me on to country music:
He did nice work with Truck Drivin’ Song as well 
My current favorite is If I Die Young by The Band Perry.
Lord, make me a rainbow - I’ll shine down on my mother
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors
Ooh…another Hag number from last night: Looking for a Place to Fall Apart
A most excellent song to lick your wounds to when your heart’s been broken.
I have no idea how this got here. I wasn’t imbibing intoxicants. I do remember thinking about posting something about Johnny Paycheck, maybe “Someone to Give My Love To”, but I thought I ended up just closing the window. Weird.
Does your cat like to sleep on the keyboard? 
Hank Snow’s The Gal Who Invented Kissin’
The first time I heard Hank Snow I was struck by the crisp sound of his guitar picking. He also incorporated some interesting influences, such as calypso music.
Can’t forget Heartaches By The Number, Dwight Yokum has a great version, and Maria McBride’s is right up there with Dwight’s.
And I forgot to mention my all-time favorite(s) :smack:
IMHO, the three most important artists in the history of country music are Hank Williams, George Jones, and George Strait, and I explain it like this:
++ Kicking the Zombie ++
I just wanted to report that this thread has been helpful in my constructing a playlist on Spotify for Folk & Country music. Perhaps others who may have forgotten this compilation can find similar uses for it. In any event, thanks to all who contributed – and who may still contribute after this going-on-four-year awakening of the thread.
Thanks for resurrecting this thread Zeldar. Missed it the first time around. Here’s a couple that haven’t been mentioned yet and they both just scream COUNTRY!
Hank Thompson - Let’s Get Drunk and Be Somebody
The Kendalls - Heaven’s Just a Sin Away
and, just for shits and giggles: Doyle and Debbie - When You’re Screwing Other Women (Think of Me)
A great song from an unlikely source: Someday Soon, by Judy Collins about a young woman in love with a rodeo cowboy.
Also Seeds and Stems (Again) by Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen.