Looking for some 'grass

Can't believe no one mentioned Del Mccoury. Wins lot's of awards, and the interplay with his band (two are his son's) is amazing.

The Red Clay Ramblers are worth checking out. At one point - mid 1980's? - someone built a full Broadway musical around the band. As a special bonus, the main Rambler has one of the best names in showbiz "Bland Simpson". Bland is a terrific songwriter and if your taste also runs to pop music/female vocals, the wonderful singer Marti Jones does a first class cover version of Simpson's "Follow You All Over The World".

Marty

Great responses so far. I agree with all.
A few others:

Steve Earle "Train a Comin"
Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band "The Mountain"
Del McCoury
J.D. Crowe
Doc Watson
Ricky Scaggs
Marty Stuart
Wildwood Valley Boys

Dread Clampitt - this is a band from Walton County Florida on the Florida panhandle. One of the most beautiful areas of the country. They are local, but have 3 CDs available from their website. They are great, trust me, you will like them.

http://www.dreadclampitt.com/

I would check out the band Hot Rize - my favorite of their albums: Untold Stories. Greate singing and playing.

I agree with your mention of Dolly Parton's and Patty Loveless' albums, good stuff from unlikely sources.

One of my favorite bluegrass artists is Laurie Lewis. She is an excellent vocalist and fiddler. She has a plaintive voice that was made for bluegrass.

She has roots deep into traditional bluegrass but she is able to add elements of other genres without sounding contrived. She's really good at it.

I would recommend starting with "Earth and Sky" on Rounder. It's a compilation of her own songs written prior to 1997 when it was released. Don't stop there though, she has a number of really good cds.

The sound is very good, but it's the music that I never get tired of. Great songs, vocals, fiddle and supporting musicians.