These artists helped usher in a new era of popular country music that finally broke the old stereotype of the twangy country/western sound that came before it.  "Shameless" by Garth Brooks was the first country song that I really liked and from there I developed an appreciation for the music, the song writing (some of it), and the vocal talent of many of the artists.  As with most music, there is an appropriate time and place for Country.  When the mood is right, country music has the ability ​to touch your soul, pull your heart strings, or maybe just inspire you to have another beer.