Country roads.

Looking for some tunes to turn at that barn party on page 78? No, 'Nsync and Sisqo won't cut it. Kick on your boots and two-step it.

Billy Gilman, One Voice

Little Billy, 12, is a big man in the country music circuit. "One Voice" topped charts faster than you can holler, "Yee-ha!" Maybe you caught Billy's dynamic performance at the last Academy of Country Music Awards. His boyish looks and charisma are captivating. Nashville is buzzin' about this one voice.

Patty Larkin, Regrooving the Dream

This ain't exactly country western. In fact, it's just about anything but--folk, rock, jazz, blues, even samba. But maybe it's the octave mandolin, lapsteel percussion, and occasional harmonica and accordion that conjure up a rootsy rhythm and down-home tone. Patty's breathy vocals will have you wanting to slowdance in the foothills of West Virginia.

Nickel Creek, Nickel Creek

You know country female vocalist extraordinaire Allison Krauss? She produced this CD by family bluegrass quartet Nickel Creek. The Celtic-influenced group consists of fiddler Sara Watkins, her brother Sean on guitar, their mandolinstrummin' buddy Chris Thile and Chris's bassist dad Scott. Sara's fiddling is superb, and her voice is just as sweet as Allison's...well, almost.

Kieran Kane & Kevin Welch, 11/12/13

Two acoustic guitars. Two songwriting guys who can sing. One kick-butt recording. Kieran and Kevin have penned ditties for the cream of the country crop--Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Tammy Wynette. Now, it's their turn to shine as they swap songs live at a club in Australia. You'll be hootin', hollerin' and clapping along with the crowd.

Stacey Earle, Dancin' With Them That Brung Me

You diehard country fans for sure know Steve Earle. Well, Stacey's his little sis. This is real homespun backwoods music. Makes ya want to break out a washboard and spoons. And Stacey's voice is very, very Victoria Williams: "I believe in dancin' with them that brung me that heart that won me, brang me these flowers I wear." Ain't love grand?

The Wilkinsons, Here and Now

Many teens aren't even into the same music as their folks. But Amanda Wilkinson, 18, and her kid brother Tyler, 16, harmonize along with their dad Steve. The all-in-the-family trio's second CD is a lively one. You girls should especially dig "Jimmy's Got a Girlfriend." Hey, dancin' to country music isn't just for squares.

The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture

And it all started as a film school project for Ramblin' Jack Elliott's daughter Aiyana as she went on the road with her dad.... The ol' timer is a legend, and his country's classic--"San Francisco Bay Blues" and "If I Were a Carpenter." The CD has don't-miss duets of the ramblin' man with Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.