MSN Music
Modern country triggers sonic déjà vu for listeners who remember when late '60s "country-rock" subversively spliced Nashville's signature twang with cranked-up lead guitars and social and political undercurrents far to the left of Music Row.  How times change: Today, mainstream country stars routinely tap into muscular rock elements and blue state sentiments that once would have branded them as outsiders.

The Byrds: The Byrds weren't the first band to draw inspiration  from Nashville, but they remain near the epicenter of early country-rock: Even before short-timer Gram Parsons spurred them to record their game-changing "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album, original members Chris Hillman and Gene Clark boasted country bona fides.  The post-"Sweetheart" early '70s lineup seen here featured one of country’s greatest guitarists, Clarence White (far right), alongside founder Roger McGuinn (second from right).
(G. Hanekroot/Retna Ltd.)