If I may add a name that has not been mentioned yet: Lefty Frizzell. I'm not really a true C&W fan (in fact, I'm not much a fan), but how can anyone not recognize the tremendous talent of Frizzell; about as pure of a singer as you'll ever find. Great success in his early career, seemingly lost afterwards, but at the end of his life, what great music he was making. It's a strange comparison, but he reminds me of Lester Young in his approach to singing, and also in the fact that as some dismiss Young's later work, so too with Frizzell, but both were major artists at the close of the lives. If you ever get extra money to burn, think about the Frizzell Bear box, it tells the whole story of the wonderful man's artist life.